Starting the year with a highly practical vehicle – the updated Opel Combo. At first glance, it seems like just a German version of the Citroen Berlingo (which we’ll mention quite often). However, upon closer inspection, there are many differences: original design, an extended L2 body, and a spacious 7-seat interior. So, there's definitely much to talk about!
Design: Opel Vizor Van
It might seem challenging to make a van design stand out, given the standardized shape required by the class: a short hood, massive bumper with a grille, a slanted windshield, a high roof, nearly vertical side panels, and a rear door. How can you distinguish yourself within these constraints? The key is to focus on details.
The updated Opel Combo manages to succeed, and its standout design feature can be summed up in two words – Opel Vizor. This refers to the signature front-end design, where the headlights have a flat form and are connected by a black glossy insert featuring the lightning bolt logo. On a black test vehicle, this element might not be very noticeable, but the black color works surprisingly well for the Opel Combo – giving it a solid and professional appearance. The only contrasting element is the gray wheels with slightly protruding spokes, which I personally would replace with classic silver or black ones as well.
The updated Opel Combo appears surprisingly solid and confident, largely due to the new Opel Vizor design and the black body color. While the gray wheels stand out (I would replace them), they conceal disc brakes even on the rear wheels – a feature that avoids unnecessary cost-cutting, which is sometimes common in this class! The test vehicle, the Opel Combo L2, comes with increased dimensions: length – 4.76 meters; width – 1.85 meters; height – 1.8 meters; and a wheelbase of 2.977 meters. The standard Opel Combo L1 has a length of 4.41 meters and a wheelbase of 2.785 meters.
The history of the Opel Combo is quite interesting: starting in the 1980s as a van based on the Opel Kadett, followed by a version based on the Opel Corsa, then came the era of cloning with the FIAT Doblo, and now, in the 2020s, it shares its platform with models like the Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Rifter.
Given the modern history of the model, the interior of the Opel Combo naturally resembles its French siblings: the shape of the dashboard, placement of the climate control unit and air vents, dual glovebox, and the large shelf above the driver's and passenger's heads are familiar. Additionally, the 10-inch digital instrument panel and new 10-inch display stand out as features unique to this model update. The seats are soft, and the seating position is fairly upright – you sit more like on a chair, yet comfortably in a seat. The visibility through the windshield and large windows is excellent, though the substantial pillars block the view at small angles to the left and right. Behind, there is ample space for knees and especially headroom. However, the side seats are positioned quite vertically, with only the central seat able to recline to a more comfortable angle. Additionally, the flat floor, fold-out tables, and massive sliding doors ensure easy and convenient access.
However, all of this has already been explored in the case of the Citroen Berlingo, so what unique features does the Opel Combo bring? For instance, the wide central console between the two front seats creates a more car-like interior with distinct zones for the driver and front passenger. However, the slanted side surfaces do take up some knee space; yet, the additional space beneath the sliding curtain provides a small horizontal shelf and a very deep sloping niche. Moreover, this substantial central console ends with ventilation outlets for rear passengers, complete with adjustable airflow intensity. While not a full climate control system, it's an important step towards becoming a true passenger-oriented minivan.
In fact, it can even be a 7-seater! This is not only a feature of the Opel Combo but of any related vehicle on a similar platform with a longer body. However, for the first time, we see a 7-seater version specifically in the test Opel Combo. So: two additional seats are installed in the back, and they offer the option of sliding forward/backward. Thanks to the vehicle’s high roof, there is enough headroom. The only thing left to wish for are handrails for rear passengers (since in the rear section, during movement, noticeable rocking occurs), and a slightly lower floor (or higher seating position) for more comfortable leg placement. Although, I must note that there is enough space for legs: it’s a full-fledged 7-seater cabin! However, in this case, there is limited space for luggage. What do I mean? Take a look for yourself.
The interior stands out not so much for its design or materials (the form of the dashboard with hard plastic is already familiar), but for its practicality: comfortable entry/exit thanks to the optimal height of the seats and large doors, numerous storage compartments and shelves virtually everywhere, additional ventilation for the second-row seats, and third-row seats that can be removed and used separately. The cargo volume is stated at 1538 liters (likely without the third-row seats) or even a maximum of 2693 liters (with the second-row seats folded). However, the third-row seats significantly reduce the usable cargo space. Additionally, the L2 extended body version has a roller blind, which is not as convenient as the rigid, two-tier shelf-blind found in the standard L1 body version.
Technical Specifications: New Iteration of a Familiar Platform
The Opel Combo is built on the EMP2 platform, with most versions powered by a 1.5 BlueHDi turbo diesel engine (available in two power options – 100 or 130 horsepower). Transmission options include a 6-speed manual gearbox or an 8-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle features front-wheel drive, independent front suspension, and semi-independent rear suspension. One of the notable features is the availability of two body options – standard L1 or extended L2, with the latter offering a 7-seat option.
It's worth noting that the increased size and seating capacity significantly impact the vehicle's weight. For example, the Opel Combo 1.5 BlueHDi with a 6-speed manual transmission in the standard L1 body and 5-seat configuration weighs a minimum of 1430 kg. In contrast, the extended L2 body weighs 1521 kg, and the top variant with an 8-speed automatic transmission and 7-seat configuration (like the test vehicle) reaches 1575 kg.
Additionally, an electric version of the passenger van Opel Combo is available in Ukraine. After updates, the technical components of the electric vehicle have been slightly improved. The electric motor with a power output of 100 kW or 136 horsepower remains unchanged, but the Opel Combo Electric now offers a 54 kWh battery, up from 50 kWh previously. As a result, the driving range has been slightly extended to reach up to 330 km.
The Opel Combo shares its technical foundation with vehicles like the Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Rifter, and Peugeot Partner – including platform, engines, drivetrain, and suspension type. The key differences lie in available versions and configurations. This test vehicle, for example, features the extended L2 body and 7-seat interior, similar to what is offered by Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Rifter. Additionally, the Opel Combo in Ukraine is available in an electric version, whereas the passenger variant of Citroen Berlingo does not offer an electric option. The test vehicle is equipped with a 1.5 BlueHDi turbo diesel engine producing 130 horsepower (3750 rpm) and 300 Nm of torque (1750 rpm). When paired with the 8-speed automatic transmission, the extended L2 body, and the 7-seat interior, the vehicle accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 13.4 seconds, reaching a top speed of 186 km/h. Fuel consumption is stated at approximately 4.8 liters per 100 km in the urban cycle and 4.2 liters per 100 km in the highway cycle.
Driving Experience: When Wheelbase Extension Is More Than Just Dimensions
Behind the wheel of the Opel Combo, we again see similarities with the Citroen Berlingo, as both vehicles share a focus on comfort and a smooth ride. The suspension setup leans towards softness, providing a comfortable experience with noticeable body roll in corners – all due to the high roofline. The steering is light and relatively long, with three turns lock-to-lock, contributing to ease of maneuvering, especially in urban settings.
The engine paired with the 8-speed automatic transmission ensures seamless acceleration and smooth gear shifts. There's ample torque and enough power for urban driving, with sufficient reserve for highway cruising within speed limits. However, maintaining speeds above 100-110 km/h becomes less appealing due to increased fuel consumption, aerodynamic drag, and sensitivity to crosswinds. Additionally, noticeable aerodynamic noise and wind resistance further detract from high-speed driving comfort.
Even in this case, the engine hum can't be entirely subdued. It consistently reminds itself through each acceleration, whether at a steady pace or during dynamic bursts. This is despite the fact that the engine typically operates in the 1.7-2.3 thousand RPM range; reaching 2.7-3 thousand on the digital tachometer only happens during dynamic accelerations. Achieving 4 thousand RPM requires flooring the accelerator for performance tests. However, such instances are rare as the vehicle encourages a calm driving style. I was tempted to write "quiet," but it just doesn't fit – it's never entirely quiet. Yet, it handles smoothly and confidently, with impressive dynamics, even with what might seem like modest 1.5 liters of engine displacement. It’s the other numbers that matter: 300 Nm!
The numbers also speak for themselves when considering the nearly 3-meter wheelbase (2977 mm to be exact). It seems that the significant increase in wheelbase has positively impacted the car's behavior. Firstly, the unpleasant jarring of the rear body over uneven surfaces when the suspension is unloaded has disappeared. Secondly, there’s added stability during high-speed driving on straight roads. Is there a downside to the increased dimensions and wheelbase during maneuvering? Not really – you’re still handling a vehicle with the length of a modern C/D-class sedan; the wheelbase is just slightly longer. This is easily balanced out by the excellent turning radius of the front wheels – which is why the long steering wheel was a necessary feature.
The pairing of a 1.5-liter turbo diesel and an 8-speed automatic transmission is well-known across numerous Peugeot, Citroen, and Opel models: they are leisurely, yet always smooth and with good engine torque. Although, to say "leisurely" might not fully capture it. For instance, during 0-100 km/h tests, the vehicle easily surpasses its official figures: achieving around 12.5-12.8 seconds depending on the launch and drive mode – standard or economy.
Speaking of efficiency: in the city, it consistently averages around 7-7.5 liters per 100 km, with a minimum of 6.3 liters achieved and a maximum just exceeding 8 liters. On the highway, at a speed close to 100 km/h, fuel consumption ranges between 5-5.3 liters per 100 km. All dynamic and fuel consumption figures are for a vehicle with 1-2 passengers in the cabin.
The Edition+ trim level adds several important features, such as adaptive matrix headlights that dynamically adjust the light beam in the dark, a full-color digital instrument panel (with a 10-inch multimedia display included), and enhanced driver and front passenger seats. However, there are a couple of noteworthy points.There is a clear connection between trim level, vehicle size, engine power, and the availability of automatic transmission. This means that selecting one or two features often requires paying for the entire package.
The competitors are well-known. Firstly, there is a group of related vans: Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Rifter, and Peugeot Partner, FIAT Doblo, Toyota ProAce City. Personally, my favorite in this list has always been Peugeot Rifter, but unexpectedly, Opel Combo has come quite close. However, overall, these are almost identical vehicles in terms of mechanics, body sizes, cargo capacities, etc. The difference lies only in the details of design and interior, trim levels, and versions for specific markets, as well as the availability of various financing or leasing programs – for example, the latter can be critically important for corporate buyers.
Another group of competitor vans includes Renault Express and Volkswagen Caddy. However, the situation in these two cases is exactly opposite. Renault Express offers the simplest mechanics (one engine and one body length, only manual transmission, limited choice of trim levels and equipment), but also the most affordable price. Volkswagen Caddy, on the other hand, offers the most advanced mechanics and a wide range of versions, but demands the highest price in the class in return. It seems that’s all. Therefore – the conclusion!