Vauxhall Combo Cargo Diesel Review 2023
The Vauxhall Combo Cargo Diesel is a leading contender in the small van segment thanks to its blend of practicality and fuel efficiency. It’s a great choice for business owners with its efficient engine, modern tech, and affordable pricing.
Rivals to the Vauxhall Combo Cargo Diesel include the Citroen Berlingo, Ford Transit Connect, Peugeot Partner, and Renault Kangoo.
Our Vauxhall Combo Cargo Diesel review covers:
- Compact exterior with slick features
- Well built and comfortable interior
- 3.3 - 3.9m3 load volume
- 1.5-litre diesel engine
- Two trims: Prime and Pro
Pros:
- Good maximum payload
- Easy to drive
- Comfortable interior
Cons:
- Entry-level trim is basic
- No features that make it stand out
- Not much tech
The Cargo Diesel has the same underpinnings as the Berlingo and Partner, and it looks pretty similar to them as well. It’s available in two lengths and one roof height, with standout characteristics are its streamlined front end, sharp headlights, and side sliding doors.
Inside the Cargo Diesel you’ll find a spacious cabin with a driver focused dash. There’s plenty of head and legroom for two passengers over six feet tall, and if your crew has a third member, you can replace the passenger seat with a two-seater bench. With this in place space decreases and the middle passenger won’t want to be sitting there for a long journey.
Access to cargo space is great thanks to a single sliding door in the L1 version and two in the longer one. They both have wide-opening rear doors that are great for loading and unloading cargo.
For the L1 version of the Cargo Diesel, maximum load length comes in at 1,817mm with a load volume of 3.3m3. Upgrade to L2 and length is increased by 350mm and load volume to 3.9m3. Payload is fantastic but varies depending on the model, ranging from 650kg to 1,000kg.
The interior feels solid enough to handle the rough and tumble of a busy business, but because of this, it doesn’t feature many premium materials. The dashboard is dominated by plastic and there’s no leather steering wheel available on any trim.
On the standard Prime trim you get a five-inch touchscreen radio with DAB, Bluetooth, and USB connection. To get an infotainment system you’ll need to upgrade to the Pro trim, which comes with an eight-inch touchscreen system with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and sat-nav. The latter is a good system and more driver-oriented than the system found in the Ford Transit Connect.
Two trims are available for the Combo Cargo Diesel: Prime and Pro.
Prime kicks off the line-up with 16-inch alloy wheels, a five-inch touchscreen radio, air conditioning, automatic lighting control with daytime running lights, steering wheel mounted audio controls, a height-adjusted driver’s seat, electronic cruise control, rear parking sensors, and a remote control security system.
Pro adds to this with an eight-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system, an electric park brake, body coloured fronts/rear fascia, and fog lamps.
One four-cylinder 1.5-litre diesel engine is available with two power outputs, 100 or 130bhp. It’s paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox that’s good in both around-town and motorway settings.
If you want the most fuel efficient version, look towards the 100bhp unit which comes with 51.4mpg. The more powerful 130bhp unit is still pretty efficient, but slightly decreases efficiency to 44.1mpg.
Like the Berlingo and Partner, the Combo Cargo is good to drive. Its steering is light enough at lower speeds so that its pleasant to drive around town, and it weights up nicely as you up the speed, ensuring you can keep a straight line on the motorway without much intervention.
If you’re looking for a really engaging drive, the Combo Cargo isn't it, and you should look towards the Transit Connect or Volkswagen Caddy.
Its suspension is good and is capable of tackling bumps in the road at high and low speeds with ease. Even if you’ve got an empty load space, you won't feel too much discomfort, which can’t be said all too often for small vans.
Prices for the new Vauxhall Combo Cargo Diesel start from £25,380.00 OTR* or to lease from £319.27 per month.
Looking to get behind the wheel of the Vauxhall Combo Cargo Diesel? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest van leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.
Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.
*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.
