Vauxhall Vivaro Review

Vauxhall Vivaro 2.0 CDTI (SWB)

Manufacturer’s RRP: £16,050.00 (excluding VAT)

A stylishly designed van which is durable and offers a generous load capacity.

The Vivaro is the ideal van for a builder or any worker who requires a large loading area that is tough, sturdy and durable. But if its luxury you're after, you'll be slightly disappointed with the cabin.

Technical

The Vauxhall Vivaro is available in three all-new 2.0 and 2.5 litre CDTI Euro 4-emissions-compliant engines with 90PS, 115PS or 145P offering higher performance for almost the same fuel consumption. The latest Vivaro also comes with 26 per cent more pulling power than its predecessor with up to 290Nm torque for the 115PS engine and a whopping 320Nm for the145PS engine. The new Vivaro is available in long and short wheelbases and standard and high roofs.

Vauxhall Vivaro van	Driver protection only from load
Lots of grey plastic	90 degree doors restrict access
A generous load space	Room for a wardrobe!
A reliable badge	The box challenge!

Drive

The car-like position of the driving seat allowed for good all round visibility. Our model contained six-speed TecShift automated-manual transmission, but we found that shifting the gears manually prevented the jerky lag which occurred with the automatic. Another problem with the auto setting was that it misjudged the correct gear frequently leaving the engine over revving. Whilst in low gears the engine felt gravelly which created a lot of cabin noise. It was only when we reached fifth gear that the engine finally settled down and the ride was smoother. With approximately 25 per cent of the van's load capacity, we felt the van drove well. On steep hills, the steering wheel remained easy to control and accurate with the load reducing the cabin noise dramatically.

Cabin comfort

Enter the cabin and you're surrounded by an influx of grey plastic which felt a little cheap and dated. There is a generous space in the foot well of the cabin with the dash mounted gear stick providing additional storage space between passengers. The door pockets were deep and could fit a 1.5 litre bottle and lunch items easily. The addition of a second passenger seat proved a little cramped for two grown adults, although it would be a great option if carrying child passengers. The passenger airbag can also be deactivated for a baby seat.

Load area

Access to the load is good with the option of single or twin side doors and twin doors or a tailgate at the rear, however the rear doors appeared to only open to 90 degrees so you'll struggle to load a pallet onto the vehicle easily. The rubber edging at the rear of the van became very slippery (due to a light rainfall) when offloading which posed a potential hazard. The storage area was well lit and we liked the three-button ignition key which allowed for the cab to be securely locked whilst loading the van.

Verdict

A good-looking exterior but the cabin lacked style. A good choice if you require a maximum load space for a smaller budget.

Data file

Engines: 2.0 CDTI
Transmission: 6 speed Tecshift auto-manual
Power output: 115PS
Economy: 39.0 mpg
Standard safety: Driver's airbag, ABS with EBA
Insurance group: 4E/5E
Turning circle (m): 11.84
Maximum pay load (kg): 1053 (1100 with manual transmission)
Load volume (cu.m): 5.3
Load length x width x height (mm): 2415 x 1663 x 1387
Warranty: 3 years / 100,000 miles
Vansunited.co.uk verdict : ***