Vauxhall Vivaro Review - In-Depth Roadtest | Vanarama.com
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- Опубліковано 22 чер 2024
- Vauxhall is a big name in the van world. From the first Bedfords to the modern-day Combo we’ve just reviewed, and now THIS, the NEW Vauxhall Vivaro medium panel van.
Now, this medium van is the last bastion of British vans, made at Vauxhall’s plant based just up the road from Vanarama HQ in Luton! Vauxhall are so pleased with it that they’ve invented a new country in their tagline… “Made in BRITVAN”.
So, let’s see how this Made In Britain… sorry, “BRITVAN” … van copes with the Vanarama Road Test, shall we?
Okay, so this could not be a more stereotypical van if it tried: it’s a medium van, it’s white and it’s a Vauxhall.
Fans of the previous version will have noticed the front end looks a little different from the previous version… not a bad thing, it looks way more modern.
• But it’s recognisably Vauxhall thanks to the two metal flicks either side of the badge…
• That lead into the big headlights and round to the…
• Heated wing mirrors.
Along the side of the vehicle are the big protective panels and, overall, it’s quite an imposing vehicle… especially at the longest length.
• The new Vivaros don’t have any height options, and that’s because its platform shares with the rest of the PSA Group medium vans.
• But what they lack in height, they make up for in length.
Right. Let’s get inside and see what we’re dealing with in there.
It’s… well… it’s basic… but that no-nonsense approach holds the Vivaro in good stead if you ask us.
Let’s be clear… this is a shared platform from the PSA Group stable… the interiors are very similar… in fact, I’m pretty sure the gear stick, Intelligrip traction control switcher, and passenger airbag are the only real differences between this and the Vauxhall Combo Cargo we’ve just reviewed.
BUT and this is a BIG but… the build quality is excellent and tough. Just look at all this durable plastic. Even the seat fibre is strong, and I imagine 1000 butts could sit on these seats before they show any wear and tear.
There’s even a hard-wearing carpet covering down here… yes, carpet!
At the EDITION trim level, you get:
• Cruise Control & Speed Limiter
• Driver & Passenger Airbags
• 1-Touch Electric Windows
• Vauxhall Connect Security & Safety Systems
Connectivity:
• Apple Car Play
• Android Auto
• Bluetooth
• USB
Door storage is not great… nor are the cup holders. The glove box is good though… and we like the little tray above the gear stick.
These seats have some nice little storage in too, and there’s a bit of storage over your head. Like we said, it’s all no-nonsense in here.
So, before we head out on the road to give it the all-important road test, let’s get to the other place in this van you need it to be no-nonsense.
Back door height: 1.2m
Back door width: 1.3m
Load length: 2.8m
Load-through length: 4m
Load height: 1.4m
Load width: 1.6m
Load width (arches): 1.2m
Side door height: 1.2m
Side door width: 0.9m
Payload: 1415kg
Those side-sliding doors, coupled with an excellent payload mean that even in the highly competitive medium sector, this van has a few plus points over the competition.
And speaking of the competition, let’s look at the other vans available in the medium van sector right now…
• First up, it’s the Citroen Dispatch / Peugeot Expert / Toyota Proace - this group are close relatives of the Vauxhall Vivaro and a bit of a mixed bag with plenty of choice of tech & looks even without the option of different heights. However, the PSA Group and Toyota have done a good job giving each one a different vibe despite sharing the same platform!
• Renault Trafic / Nissan NV300 / Fiat Talento - THIS bunch of relatives have an edge with different heights available, but their payloads need a bit of work. Overall there’s a lot to be said about this bunch of hard-working vehicles, but the one you pick depends on the features you prefer.
• Mercedes-Benz Vito - THIS is the luxury option with tonnes of options & variants to choose from, you pay for the three spokes, but then don’t you always?!
• VW Transporter - Anyone who knows me knows I love this van. It’s great-looking & very user-friendly. Payload is, in my opinions, the only place it VERY slightly underperforms.
• And finally, the Ford Transit Custom - you can’t talk medium vans without mentioning the UK’s best-seller. It’s the top performer because of price, function & running costs. & it looks great too! The king has a lot of life left in it with hybrid and all-electric versions on the way.
So, there you go. A lot of choice and some truly strong contenders… in the end, make your choice based on the job you need it do and you won’t go wrong! - Авто та транспорт
Vans aren't only used for transporting cargo. Half of vans sold go to tradesmen who like to install shelving in the back so those double doors are just a pain and rob us of space. It's also just another route in for tool thieves so you cant even park your van right up into the corner at night. Speaking of which, it would also be nice to know how easy these are to break into, the old model being that you only had to drill a hole by the handle in the back door and you were in. 30 second job.
I'm a courier driver for an agency that supplies drivers and Van's to Hermes. we have a mixture of Van's from transits/transit customs, VW transporters, 1 Crafter still with us, we have a few traffic, several Peugeot Boxers which I drive at the moment (hate it but cant complain with fuel economy) we also have some new vivaro sportives. great looking Van's the new vivaro but one of ours is already back at Vauxhall waiting for a new engine with less than 600 miles on the clock. when that comes back (if it comes back) I'm getting that which I can honestly say, I'm looking forward to it. all our vivaros are colour coded in metallic graphite grey in colour which looks superb. a big difference from the usual every day plain white.
Tom here: I'm a big fan of the new Vivaros (the old ones were also great), and I think the Groupe PSA platform does a great job. Keep me posted on whether you get that van back and let me know how much of an improvement it is over your other one.
what a brilliant reviewer !! well done sir .
Tom here: Thanks so much, appreciate that. :)
Here's the steering wheel, with a flat bit at the bottom so it doesn't bump your legs as it goes round?? ;) Haha, does the flat bit stay at the bottom then?
Tom here: For the majority of your drive, you're likely to only move the steering wheel a small amount to turn corners, it's only on really tight bends you'll be moving the wheel a huge amount, and then the flat bottom really helps.
I kinda grew to liking the Opel/Vauxhall vivaro, since today I explored the opel dealer and saw these vans... Great vans! They look stylish, but the biggest let down is the steering wheel which feels off set...
Tom here: Funny you mention the steering wheel, I quite liked it. I drove one of each trim level and found the standard black plastic to be the most comfortable to use.
@@vanaramauk by all means I absolutely loved the quality too! The design and all was great! It's just... the steering wheel compared to the pedals didn't seem symmetrical... they seemed slightly offset.
I valet and pick up vans I drove a 66 plate Citroen Dispatch and have to say for a big van it’s got a very responsive engine
Tom here: I agree. The engines on these EMP2 vans are surprisingly powerful - even when mates to auto boxes.
THAT GAUGE IS COOLANT TEMP. NOT OIL TEMP.
Aren’t they still selling the previous shape vivaro? Still seeing Vauxhall advertise it. New one looks smaller...
Tom here: They may still have some stock of the pre-facelift version. It's actually not that much smaller at all. The only thing the new version lacks is height option, but the longer wheelbase versions are longer than the old model - especially if you have the load-through open.
Whats acceleration like below 2000 revs?
space in between wheel arches is 1.2m so once its ply lined it will be less than 1.2 so pallet wont fit same as standard sheet 8'x4'. SO verdict is USELESS for builders.
Tom here: It's a very different beast compared to the old Vivaro. I think it's now more appropriate for different trades. The Renault Trafic is still using the old Vivaro platform, though. If you're in the market for something similar...
I agree it should be wider but pallets are 1.2 x1.0 so you could still fit 2 in length ways.
Does it not have cup holders? Bit strange for a modern vehicle.
Is the rear openable from the inside ?
Tom here: Yes it is. Tends to be a standard feature nowadays.
Does this one have the off center steering wheel from the pedals?
Tom here: If it did, I didn't notice it at all.
@@vanaramauk Was the driving position the exact same as the citroen dispatch? i read a review that said it was off center but i presumed they would be all the same driving positions being the same van more or less.
@@Kyle-rf5mb Tom here: I didn't notice anything about the driving position being off-centre. It felt exactly the same as the Dispatch to drive - position and all.
This is probably the cheapest spec of the vivaro I’m surprised you went for cargo trim panels aswell 😂
Tom here: Well, we review what we get. A lot of people will go for the standard trim level - it's still got a lot going for it. :)
Is it alot different from the Peugeot expert?
Tom here: Frankly, there are lots of similarities between the new Vivaro and the new Expert. The shared EMP2 platform means their interiors are identical... unless you opt for higher trim levels - that's where the differences really start to be seen. The exteriors are where they really differ, primarily at the front end.
Which one has a better ride on pot holes roads?
Tom here: Across all the Groupe PSA vans they're all as good as each other. Avoid the potholes if possible, but they're sound vehicles, very hardy. They'll take a clonk if you accidentally hit one.
Thanks.
I live in Spain,to go home i need to take the back roads! And they haven't yet been repaired! Is the Ford or renualt medim vans have softer suspension that can soak up the pot holes?Anthony.
Don’t forget the new Fiat Scudo 2022 onwards
Tom here: I won't. We've got one booked in for April.
Fuel injectors i read some report about them.The thing about reviewing a bran new van,naturally every thing works.it only with time faults show up.
Tom here: Completely agree with you. That's why leasing is the best way to drive a van - you get it brand new and any issues that might arise will be further down the line once you've upgraded to a new one.
My pauper level van doesn’t have the flap under the passenger seat so can’t take 3meter lengths of pipe. The steering wheel feels horrible. The gear knob is too big for my hand. There could be more electrical outlets. There is no good place to mount the phone or tablet. The cup holders are too narrow for my thermal cup. The storage under the seat is almost useless. Fitting it out in the back is a work in progress.
I had a transit custom before this.
Tom how does it compare against the 96 kw Transit Custom?
Tom here: This was a far more responsive engine, in my opinion. But I'm still a huge fan of the Ford EcoBlue engines for sheer return on investment.
I’ve got the new model custom and to be honest the speed dials read 20,40,60,80mph etc where that Vauxhall shows 30,50,70mph which is better for the uk. Though a mate has one of these but the Citroen and a group of us discovered the cup holders are useless and it seems a lot smaller than ford
@@GregsMowing Tom here: I'm not a fan of the cup holders - they'll hold a Starbucks cup no problem, but no big water bottles. Bit of a compromise, I agree. Although the door storage is pretty good.
Do they build Citroen’s there too ?
Tom here: They build the Citroen, Peugeot & Vauxhall medium vans in the same place. Amazing to see.
They do build the Citroen and Peugeot equivalents in the Luton plant too, but if you ask me, go for the actual British brand too that is built at the British factory. You’re scoring on two fronts that way if you are a patriotic person :)
The VW Transporter is the best van on the market.
Tom here: Our review will be hitting the channel this week!
Transit custom👍 transporters are over priced
Just got one...anybody know what the SOS button does? I daren't press it !
Tom here: It puts you straight through to an accident and emergency line. It's amazing. Give it a try, and just say "sorry, hit the button by accident".
@@vanaramauk Shit.....my van came without a manual...I work for a big company...Good job I haven't tried it. Great review of this van mate and yes it has all I need except rear parking sensors despite being a base model. It's a nice drive, I do about 600 miles a week and it'll do me fine. The engine management and it's control of the turbo is very good...I drove it as fast as I dare on this posting , I'm a rural dweller : ua-cam.com/video/o8H27drw_mM/v-deo.html
Tom here: Great review. You must keep me posted on how you find the new Vivaro to drive over the next few months. Cabin comfort is great (shame about the cup holders, eh?) and the loading bay is excellent - it looks like you've got some great racking set up in the back there. How are you finding that storage solution?
@@vanaramauk Thank you. Well I do about 100 miles a day in rural Suffolk and so far I'd say this van is excellent , the handling is about the same as a Transit but the engine management and it's control of the Turbo is first class. I stalled my transit now and again, I think this engine is unstallable, if you are in an unsuitable gear it just doesn't pick up very well. It's a very nicely mapped engine, 3, 4 and 5th gear are all very forgiving. A great van in my opinion, so far.
@@iseeolly9959 Tom here: I experienced the same thing - I couldn't stall the vehicle without seriously trying to. The gearbox is very short throw too which helps you just click up and down. The EMP2 platform vans are, in my opinion, some of the best on the market. Tough, flexible and all the right tech.
Made in Britain but 90% parts are french just like Nissan/Renault? My choice would be Ford or VW in this segment of van choices.
Tom here: I've seen them being built in the UK manufacturing plant with my own eyes! The parts might be made somewhere else, but they are definitely put together here... so are the Peugeot & Citroen medium vans.
@@vanaramauk i believe you as I've worked in a UK motor manufacturing plant for the last 28 years. We buy the majority of our parts from France as it shares the same platforms as other makes. Not great for our Uk economy and worse to come with Brexit and covid.
What about the engine,gear box,nothing about what makes it reliable,just the usual claptrap about it's looks
Tom here: I talk about the engine from about 12:17 in the video when I take it out for a drive. If there's anything else you'd like to know I'll dig out the info for you.
Locking nuts for steel wheels 😆
I have no gripe with the performance of the 1.5 that I have been issued with
Peugeot expert is really
Lets go
Tom here: Let's go Vivaro-a-go-go?
It's so basic, because you are reviewing the cheapest model aviable
Tom here: Yep, we make no secret of that. It's not got half the cool new stuff you'll see in these excellent vans. Check out the Proace Review here (ua-cam.com/video/U5-3Yp8Q0W0/v-deo.html) to see just a taste of the cooler stuff PSA Group platform sharers can pack.
Oh good..... the stalks right out of the old Peugeot 206 I had!
Stick with ford!
Tom here: Yep... it's a familiar stick for sure!
"The cabins feel like a home from home" !!! Are you having a laugh ? I've just had to switch through work,from a Citroen Berlingo to the Vivaro. Imo NO COMPARISON !!
The Citroen skin and heels the Vauxhall for comfort and in cab storage. I drive 50.000 miles a year and I know what I'd rather have rather than this crappy Vivaro.
Are you bald, whats with the cap?
Tom here: I'm not bald... just lacking hair... it was a sunny day, I didn't want my scalp to crisp up...
Cheap
Rubbish vans. Get a ford!
Tom here: Aaaah, they're good vans. But yeah, Fords do have a lot going for them!
Fords are abit shit aswell tbf,,my mates door fell off