This is the new Vauxhall Combo-e Life. It’s a pure-electric version of the firm’s smallest van-based people carrier designed to rival the Nissan e-NV200 Combi and on sale in Britain this Autumn.
Like its commercial sibling, the Vauxhall Combo-e Life features a 50kWh nominal lithium-ion battery pack and an electric motor with 134bhp and 260Nm of torque. The powertrain provides a claimed 0–60mph time of 11.2 seconds and a maximum range of 174 miles.
- SEE MORE Best people carriers and MPVs 2021
As standard it has a 7.4kW on-board charger for wallbox chargers, although this can be upgraded to a three-phase 11kW charger as an optional extra. When connected to a 100kW DC fast charger, the Combo-e Life’s battery pack will recover a full charge in just 30 minutes.
Buyers have their choice of two wheelbases and two seating configurations. Medium models are 4.4 metres long and can be specced with either five or seven seats. The former seating option provides 597 litres of boot space – or 2,126 litres with the rear bench folded.
Vauxhall’s larger Combo-e Life XL measures 4.75 metres long and is only available with seven seats. However, the MPV’s longer wheelbase means there’s it has more carrying capacity – 850 litres as standard or 2,693 litres with the rear seating rows stowed.
The second seating row for both the Medium and XL variants folds with a 60:40 split, but buyers can have a three-way split-folding bench as an optional extra. There are also a handful of Isofix points dotted around the cabin.
Inside, the Combo-e Life features a digital instrument cluster and an eight-inch infotainment system with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Vauxhall has also added a panoramic sunroof and an overhead storage bin, which has an extra 36 litres of capacity and some built-in LED lights. A rear-view camera can also be had as an optional extra.
Buyers also get a host of safety equipment, including forward collision alert, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, a traffic sign recognition system and hill descent control. There’s an electronic traction control system, which features specialised settings for snow, mud and sand.
Does the new Vauxhall Combo-e Life stack up against the established competition? Read our list of the best MPVs on sale now…