Summary
The Vauxhall Combo Life is an electric people carrier available in five- or seven-seat configurations, and currently the only compact Vauxhall people carrier available in the UK after the petrol-powered Combo Life was discontinued in 2022.
Launched in the UK in 2020 as the ‘Combo-e Life’ (the name was changed in 2022), the Combo Life Electric is based on the Vauxhall Combo electric van, which in turn is based on the petrol/diesel Combo van. This van is basically identical to the Citroën ë-Berlingo and Peugeot e-Rifter – people carriers launched by other brands under the Stellantis umbrella – apart from some minor cosmetic and trim differences.
The Vauxhall Combo Life Electric has received a mixed bag of review scores from the British media, with battery range and pricing being the key criticisms levelled against the electric family car.
“Its limited range may be a problem in everyday use, and it’s quite a bit pricier than the previous internal combustion models”, says Which. Meanwhile, What Car? notes that “its high level of specification make it a costlier choice than a Citroën e-Berlingo.”
It is essentially “an electric van with windows”, explains Ben Hodges of Carbuyer, but that it offers “a hard-to-beat combination of value and versatility.” Several reviewers comment that the people carrier is well-equipped as standard, and that it has one of the most spacious interiors in its class.
As of September 2023, the Vauxhall Combo Life Electric holds an Expert Rating of 63%, based on nine reviews published by the British motoring media. Unsurprisingly, this is pretty similar to the scores given to the Citroën ë-Berlingo (63%) and Peugeot e-Rifter (59%).
Combo Life Electric highlights
- Spacious and versatile interior
- Good value-for-money package
- Well-equipped as standard
- Decent performance considering size
Combo Life Electric lowlights
- Rivals offer more electric range
- Drab looks inside and out
- Only one trim level
- Not much fun to drive
Key specifications
Body style: Compact people carrier
Engines: electric, battery-powered
Price: From £34,085 on-road
Launched: Spring 2021
Last updated: Autumn 2022
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“It’s not a thrilling drive but the electric powertrain is smooth, quiet and more-than strong enough. The interior space is outstanding and the tough van-derived interior should stand up well to family use.” (Steve Walker)
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
“Fair play to the Vauxhall, because what it does do well is ferry up to seven people and their stuff around in a comfy, flexibly arranged cabin – this transition from combustion engine to battery power hasn’t impinged on interior space one jot.”
Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.4 / 10
“The Vauxhall Combo-e Life is an electric ‘van with windows’ that offers a hard-to-beat combination of value and versatility.” (Ben Hodges)
Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed:
“Vauxhall’s electric small people carrier puts massive practicality over style or driving pleasure.”
Read review
Driving Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“So, the Combo Life Electric is by no means the most stylish or scintillating electric car on the market right now. But if practicality is your top priority, then the Vauxhall is a cheap-to-run option that may suit you.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Even looking past the limited range and factoring in a price that’s reasonable for an electric car, it’s the Combo-e Life’s image that’ll be a major hurdle for many.” (Alan Taylor-Jones)
Read review
RAC
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6.5 / 10
“There’s quite a price premium to pay for the BEV drivetrain, but if you can justify it and cope with the 174 mile driving range, this Vauxhall, like its Peugeot and Citroen design counterparts, might be tempting option if you’re looking for a full-electric compact family car and don’t want a compact SUV. Here, there’s the option of a 7-seat cabin to, which is quite rare to find in an EV at present.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“If maximum practicality and zero tailpipe emissions are what you’re after from an MPV, the Vauxhall Combo Life Electric might fit the bill. Its high level of specification make it a costlier choice than a Citroën e-Berlingo.”
Read review
Which?
Model reviewed: Range overview
“While the Vauxhall Combo-e Life is very easy to drive, its limited range may be a problem in everyday use, and it’s quite a bit pricier than the previous internal combustion models. This is a solid choice for those wanting maximum space above all, but other MPVs are better in terms of sophistication and comfort.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: October 2018
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 91%
Child protection: 81%
Vulnerable road users: 58%
Safety assist: 68%
The safety rating for the Vauxhall Combo Life Electric is based on the four-star score given to the structurally identical Peugeot Rifter range, which was tested by Euro NCAP in 2018. Since the two vehicles are the same, there was no need for the Vauxhall version to be tested separately.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of September 2023, the Vauxhall Combo Life Electric has not been lab tested by Green NCAP (and nor have its Citroën or Peugeot siblings).
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of September 2023, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Vauxhall Combo Life Electric to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Combo Life range, we’ll publish the score here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 174 miles | C | 174 – 174 miles | C – C |
| Electrical efficiency | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 3.5 m/KWh | D | 3.5 – 3.5 m/KWh | D – D |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 11 | A | 11 – 11 | A – A |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £127 | A |
| Year 2 | £289 | A |
| Year 3 | £458 | A |
| Year 4 | £595 | A |
| Year 5 | £852 | A |
| Overall | £2,321 | A |
The Vauxhall Combo Life Electric has a mixed bag of running cost scores, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Most importantly, electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon for a petrol or diesel car) is poor, which means that you get less range out of the battery – and an official range of 174 miles as tested according to the EU/UK official protocol will be less than 150 miles in the real world.
On the plus side, insurance should be excellent, as are scheduled servicing costs for the first five years.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Vauxhall Combo Life Electric has received.
2022
- What Car? Awards – Best electric MPV
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Vauxhall Combo Life Electric, you might also be interested in these alternatives.
Citroën ë-Berlingo | Mercedes-Benz EQT | Nissan e-NV200 Combi | Peugeot e-Rifter | Volkswagen ID. Buzz
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Vauxhall range at The Car Expert
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