With more owner operators than ever before, a van not only has to do the job, but also has to make the driving environment a decent one. So when it comes to selecting a light van, Vauxhalls Combo would figure on many operators’ shortlists. Attractive upfront pricing and reliable mechanicals make it a trusty little workhorse. The Combo 1.7 CDTi is ideal for those who appreciate a roomy van with a dynamic and economical performance. The engine reaches 60mph in 12.0 seconds and has a maximum speed of 106 mph. The cab and the cargo area are smoothly integrated into one aerodynamic shape, the higher windscreen giving an airier feel to the cabin. For those of us used to the Corsa car, the cab interior is no surprise, except for the higher roofline, which has allowed the provision of a full-length shelf overhead, to hold folders, clipboards or other books.The critical measurements are a 1.79-metre long load length in an area 1.38 metre wide. Maximum load height is 1.19 metres, while the distance between the wheel arches is 1.13 metres, which will allow a Euro Pallet.There’s a neat gizmo available as an option in the partition grid, which allows the passenger side section to be hinged over the folded passenger seatback, giving a load length for part of the vehicle to 2.7 metres. They call this FlexCargo, and the hinged section acts as a protection from side load to the driver. And even without this system, the hard backed passenger seat when folded makes a very useful tabletop for an operator to do paperwork or even use a laptop.
Service intervals have been extended compared to the previous Combo, to 20,000 miles or 12 months, and a combined fuel consumption of almost 54 mpg is bound to be attractive to operators. The deep plastic front skirt and rear wraparound bumpers should absorb a lot of the knocks and nudges, which are part and parcel of the workday.
