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Vauxhall enters the super-large MPV market with this model, the Vivaro Life. Jonathan Crouch looks at what's on offer.

Market and Model

Prices range in the £28,000 to £43,000 bracket and two models are available - 'Edition' and 'Elite'. The 'Edition' is offered with either 100PS or 120PS 1.5-litre diesel engines. The 'Elite' comes with a couple of 2.0-litre diesels, either a 150PS variant with a manual gearbox or a 180PS version with an 8-speed auto. With the 'Edition', there's an £1,845 option to upgrade from the standard 'Medium' body shape to the lengthened 'Long' version. With the 'Elite. The premium for the 'Long' body style is £840.

Even base-spec 'Edition' models get a DAB radio, Bluetooth 'phone connectivity, cruise control with a variable speed limiter, central locking with selective door locking and deadlocks, powered heated mirrors, a multi-function trip computer, a USB port and front electric windows. Latest generation electronic driving assistance devices include a 'driving time warning system', 'Driver Attention Alert', a 'Road sign reading with speed limit recommendation system' and an 'Active Safety Brake' set-up. You could also add 'Blind Spot Monitoring' and a 'VisioPark surround view camera system - both useful on a vehicle of this size.

Cost of Ownership

The Vivaro Life's Euro6d engines have been chosen with operating costs rather than performance in mind and this will suit businesses as well as families with a firm grip on their finances. Combined fuel economy for the base 1.5 100PS diesel is pegged at up to 46.6mpg on the WLTP combined cycle, along with 131g/km of NEDC-rated CO2. We'd want a little more power and would opt for this engine in 120PS guise, in which form you're looking at 47.1mpg and 128g/km. Go for the 2.0-litre 150PS derivative and the figures are 41.5mpg and 149g/km, while even the top 2.0-litre 180PS auto gearbox variant returns 40.6mpg and 151g/km.

What else might you need to know? There's the usual stop/start system that cuts the engine when you don't need it, stuck at the lights or waiting in traffic. And as an owner, you can download a useful 'MyVauxhall' app via which you can take care of your Vauxhall online and book maintenance visits. Finally, you'll also need to know that Vauxhall includes a three-year, 60,000 mile warranty as standard, a package that can be extended up to five years and 100,000 miles at extra cost. A year's free breakdown cover is also provided, along with a six-year anti-corrosion guarantee.

Summary

Older Vivaro van models could never have provided the base for a credible luxury family MPV but it says much for the third generation design that it pulls off this trick without much difficulty. The cabin can feel really quite up-market if you go for the top 'Elite' model. We're slightly disappointed that this flagship variant can't be had in 9-seater form, but otherwise, we like this Vivaro Life quite a lot.

With rugged build, competent driving dynamics, strong economy and attractive prices, it seems well-suited to its target market and as a result, could well be worth a look for larger families.

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