EVERYTHING FOR PEOPLE: WHAT MAKES THE OPEL COMBO DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHERS

We test an Opel Combo, another representative of the respected family of minivans. And they deserve to be respected even for their versatility, because they must meet the needs of all family members.

Should the youngest travel with his stroller right now? No question, it could easily fit into a decent trunk. Oldest son wants to get his teddy bear? Yes, at least let him sit in a separate seat – there are seven of these seats in the test Opel Combo. Does their mother, as usual, have many useful little things with her? There is a place for everything – there are many different niches and boxes in the Opel Combo cabin. Well, if necessary, dad will fold down the seats and turn his favorite minivan into a roomy van – anything fits!

We recently tested the Citroen Berlingo minivan and remembered it here for good reason. Moreover, we will continue to remember, because they have many similarities: both are made by Stellantis NV However, there are important differences between them, which will certainly surprise those who believe that classmates from the same manufacturer are now exactly the same. . Yes, the Opel Combo and Citroen Berlingo have many common external and internal elements, but this method is not worthy of criticism. On the contrary, it is logical and rational, because these models are produced by the same corporation. Recently, both minivans were significantly updated, and at the same time, in March 2024. Like the Citroen Berlingo, the Opel Combo is offered in two lengths: L1 (4410 mm) and L2 (4760 mm), both of which receive an additional 7 mm after the update. The front overhang has increased by the same amount, and the ground clearance, on the contrary, has become 5 mm less, although “under the keel” minivans have 155 mm, which is enough even for our roads .

However, Opel puts a different emphasis on its Combo than Citroen does on the Berlingo. Each is updated according to its own company style. The Opel Combo has the Opel Visor, which is mainly characterized by a continuous pseudo-radiator grille with a new logo. It doesn’t really have slots, like electric cars. This is the most obvious difference from the pre-restyling model, but not the only one. The Opel Combo produced from March 2024 also received a different front bumper, more stylish and modern, with vertically oriented triangular decorative air intakes. The front optics are also new here, even halogens, although the Edition+ configuration, as we tested, has LED matrix headlights, which is unusual for this class of car. The updated image is crowned by a revised part in front of the hood. But we did not complete the review of the car, but moved to the rear.

The main change was that hinged doors replaced the hinged doors, with heating and windshield wipers. However, if you need swings, they can still be had, but as an option, like rear parking sensors. Therefore, we recommend that you personally get to know the new product to evaluate all the changes in practice, or rather, on a test drive.

Next, we’ll look at the differences between the trim levels – the entry-level Edition and the top-of-the-line Edition+. The latter features body-colored bumpers, door handles and trunk lid trim, as well as high-gloss black side mirror housings. Let’s look again at the updated logo of the wheel covers (both trim levels have 16-inch steel wheels) and move on to the interior.

There are also many changes here. First of all, look at the steering wheel. This is a small “cut” not only from the bottom, as before, but also from the top. There are new spokes with a glossy finish and new on-board system control keys on them, and best of all, a rim with convenient grooves for thumbs. You will definitely appreciate this if you prefer the classic 3 and 9 o’clock grip.

The dashboard of all Opel Combos has gone digital: monochrome in Edition equipment and color in Edition+. The central display has also increased: it is 10-inches on the same trim level, and on top it is also HD. As before, all Opel Combos are equipped with cruise control with a speed limiter, but they added the Coffee Break Alert function, that is, a reminder of the need to stop for a rest. And the parking brake is now electric instead of manual. Like the Citroen Berlingo, the content of the optional Comfort package has changed, where EcoLED LED headlights have been added, but High Beam Assist has disappeared – it became part of the Edition+ package.

But the modernization of Citroen Berlingo took place according to a similar algorithm! What makes the Opel Combo different? We can give you this answer: if Citroen engineers tried to maintain a golden mean between cargo and passenger characteristics, then Opel developers made a noticeable emphasis in favor in the end. The man with his requirements for comfort found himself in the focus of German specialists. This is noticeable above all in the shape of the seats, where Opel once again showed the best ability. After all, the Combo’s seats are noticeably more comfortable. This fact becomes clear even before examining their own back in person: look how good their lateral support is! And this applies not only to the seats of the first row, but also to the second.

Here’s another argument for you: passengers in the second row of the Opel Combo have personal deflectors of the ventilation system. Moreover, they are also equipped with a fan with adjustable airflow power. This is an important detail, especially in winter, due to the size of the minivan’s interior.

We also really liked the ability to attach the luggage compartment curtain to its floor – it’s convenient! Because on most cars, if you have to remove this curtain, it’s completely unclear where to put it next. The new product is full of pleasant surprises and important little things, so you can safely go to the brand’s online warehouse and choose a car available in Ukraine.

Pay attention to the huge and large box between the front seats, equipped with the test Opel Combo. Yes, this makes it difficult to fold the passenger seat back level with the seat for carrying very long loads, as the armrest rests on it. But there are so many useful things you can put in this box! Furthermore, cover these things with roller blinds from prying eyes. However, only the front seats of the Opel Combo in the top configuration will have armrests. And here is the time to proceed with the nuances of equipping this car.

Even the starting Edition version has the full minimum necessary set of equipment and even a little more: a multimedia system with wireless (!) Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, engine protection, a light sensor, air conditioning, steering adjustment height and reach column, Start&Stop system and cruise control.

As for the top-end Edition+ configuration, the first thing to note is that paying more for it is an investment not only in additional benefits, but also in safety, since side airbags are added to front airbags for driver and front passenger. But the set of electronic safety systems in both equipment will be the same: ESC stabilization system, ASR traction control and Hill Assist.

Of course, there are also many additional benefits to the top-end configuration. It is the Edition+ that gets rear parking sensors, front seats with higher comfort, Brasilia Rajo fabric trim, rear view camera, LED matrix headlights, fog lights and rain sensors.

However, there are also various optional packages, thanks to which you can get in the starting configuration what only the top version offers (Comfort package for 17,680 UAH), or you can buy something that is not there in addition to the top version. For example, the “Winter” package for UAH 16,640 adds a leather-trimmed steering wheel and a heated steering wheel, along with heated front seats and a heated lower part of the windshield. The “Style” package for UAH 33,700 will decorate your Opel Combo with R16 alloy wheels, roof rails and additional tinting. Want dual-zone climate control? It is available in the “Technological” package with a 220 V socket and a keyless entry system.

An important feature of the Opel Combo is that, unlike most cars in other classes, it does not insist that the buyer choose an automatic transmission. Are you used to manual transmissions and don’t see the point in paying for an automatic? No question: Opel Combo can be purchased with a 6-speed manual transmission not only in Edition (from 964,300 UAH), but also in Edition+ (from 1,043,700 UAH). True, the manual transmission will only be included with a 100-horsepower version of the 1.5-liter turbodiesel.

But the test Opel Combo was equipped with a 130-horsepower engine of the same volume, which was offered only in the top-end Edition+ and only with an 8-speed automatic transmission (from UAH 1,221,600). We have already seen this pair on other models of the Stellantis concern, and everywhere it deserves only good words. So we can say them again: in our opinion, the duet of the 130-horsepower French turbodiesel and 8-speed automatic transmission is one of the best on the market. Instant reactions on the accelerator, no unnecessary transitions and “rubber bands” under the pedal. Fuel consumption in the city is 5.5-6.5 l/100 km, acceleration to hundreds is in 12.7 seconds (for length L1). The chassis, like all modern Opels, pleases with a good balance between handling and comfort: precise cornering is combined with a pleasant softness of the suspension. And with the large side mirrors you can easily see everything around.

Any car, of course, cannot consist only of advantages – there must also be disadvantages. We only saw two in the Opel Combo. First, there is a noticeable area in the upper right corner of the windshield, which the wipers cannot reach: such a large mirror is more suitable for windshield wipers that move towards each other. But you’ll only notice it during heavy snowfall, which is rare these days. And secondly, the climate control in automatic mode increases the fan speed too early, without waiting for the engine to warm up noticeably. Although it warms up, unlike many other diesel engines, quite quickly.

As you can see, we are mostly talking about nuances that are not so annoying. Therefore, we can safely consider the Opel Combo almost an ideal example of a minivan that will please the driver with good handling, decent dynamics and low fuel consumption, and a large family with comfort and convenience. We therefore recommend that you get to know the Opel Combo in person at your nearest Opel showroom. Chances are this is where you will finally find your perfect family car.

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