My Fourth Commercial Vehicle, and It’s Still a Pass?
Believe it or not, I’ve now hit the fourth commercial truck in a row – still no sign of a ghostly destiny. If every one of them had been a smooth ride, I wouldn’t even be tempted to stack another on my next delivery list.
Quick Look at the Fleet
- Good ones: The few that behaved like they had been through a quality bake‑cycle.
- Not so great: Those that forced me to book a last‑minute check‑up with the chiropractor – post‑drive back‑pedal gymnastics, anyone?
So, why am I already picturing the Opel Combo‑e? Because it’s the first European commercial vehicle I’ll personally drive this year – and that prospect gives me a little extra motivation to keep the seat belt clickin’.
An e-lectric Opel van?
Meet the Opel Combo: The Van That Never Needed a Name Tag
Since 1986, the Combo has quietly been Opel’s answer to the “grab‑and‑go” need for a small van. No flashy commercials, no outrageous specs—just a reliable workhorse that’s never been far from the ordinary.
Why It Still Stands Out
- It’s not much bigger than your average sedan, so it slips into a lot of streets without screaming for attention.
- The Opel emblem on the front grille still manages to turn heads, because folks half the time think that vans belong to Japanese manufacturers. Nope, this one is got that European flare.
- Its car‑like front end pairs up with a boxy body that screams “I’m here to haul, not to show off.” That’s a look that’s unmistakably Van‑ish.
Who Would You’ve Thought Was Making Them?
Picture a Japanese van: familiar lines, practical shape. Now flip that on its side. The Combo looks just as cute and practical, but with a distinct European twist that should make you smile every time you drive past it.
The Fuel Debate
If you’re leaning toward the old diesel myth, you’re not far off. Past models ran on internal combustion engines—diesel for a long time. But as of August, you’ve got the Combo‑E, Opel’s electric sidekick. It’s one of only two electric vans Opel’s rolled out, and it’s already making the neighborhood experts say, “This is not just a van; it’s a future.”
Bottom line: The Combo might be small, but it’s big on personality, affordability, and now green power. And honestly, who needs a giant truck when you’ve got a tiny, efficient, and oddly charming van that can do it all?
Unassuming looks
That Don’t-Stand-Anywhere-Moment
Honestly, if this thing decided to pull up next door—minus the eye‑catching paint—most of you would never even glance at it.
Why the Eyes Won’t Flip (Without the Gloss)
- Plain and Unremarkable: The shape is a bit familiar—maybe a box thing—but without the flashy coat it blends in like a gray background.
- No Attention-Grabbing Features: No bright colors, no flashy logos—just a plain look that says “meh.”
- It Resembles a Common Furniture: Anything that’s just a thing in your hallway will easily get lost in the crowd.
Roll your eyes a little bit and pretend—it’s the humble cousin of the flashy spectacle we all love to look at. But in reality, it’s just another face in the crowd—unless you’re a collector of neutrals, in which case…
Opel’s New Look: Where Does the Combo‑e Fit In?
Opel’s fresh design language is all about sharp angles and bold edges, but the Combo‑e comes a bit more on the soft side. It feels like the brand decided to send the high‑octane concept car to the front‑end and just give the workhorse a casual attitude.
Why the Combo‑e Looks a Bit Slower
- Gentle curves dominate the body, stealing the dramatic bite that’s been buzzed around the new lineup.
- The headlights cluster is the only real treat, scrolling LED strip giving off a hint of Opel’s edgier vibe.
- Everything else stays pretty calm, which is hardly a shocker for a utility van.
Is That Okay for a Commercial Vehicle?
Honestly, a van’s job is to do a decent job of moving stuff. Think about it – boxes, crates, paperwork, maybe a few coffee mugs on a rough day. It’s not a showroom canvas; it’s a workhorse. That means the design can be a little less flashy – it just needs to keep looking good, staying safe, and being easy to park.
Maybe the Governor of “Design” Says:
- “Make it functional, keep it affordable, but don’t forget a side of style.”
- “If it can carry a whole truckload of humor without breaking a leg, it’s good.”
So, the Combo‑e might not scream “look at me!” from the highway, but it does the right thing – get the job done. That’s a win in the real world.
Drive to surprise
First Impressions: Looks vs Reality
At first glance the van gives you that “meh, it’s just a van” vibe, but buckle up—both literally and figuratively—and the ride drops a curveball that feels straight out of a car.
Quiet Ride, Soft Tones
- Michelin Primacy 4 tires keep every rumble to an absolute minimum.
- No need to crank the volume or shout over the hum—talking a normal conversation feels ordinary.
- Even on a gravel patch the suspension lets you glide without a single “whoosh”!
Car‑Like Comfort, Van‑Like Practicality
It’s not designed for raucous road trips or frantic highway driving, but if you close your eyes as a passenger, you’d swear you’re inside a sedan. The interior is cozy, the waves of motion are gentle, and the steering feels light enough to sigh if you’re already drunk.
Driving Dynamics
Steering & Handling
- The steering offers the slightest whisper of feedback—light, punctual, slightly over‑activated.
- With a tight 5.9‑metre turning circle, navigating tight city streets feels breezy.
- Low‑speed maneuvers? Smooth as butter.
Power Stack & Performance
One electric motor roars from a 50 kWh pack: 134 bhp, 260 Nm, all directed to the front wheels via a single‐speed transmission. The 1,632 kg weight feels surprisingly nimble.
- 0‑to‑100 in a brisk 9.2 seconds (real‑world test, no dice).
- Claimed top speed: 150 km/h—enough to leap over the “lane hoggers” without a hitch.
- Charging: 50 kW max DC (about an hour for a near‑empty pack) and 11 kW AC (roughly six hours for a full charge).
Range & Efficiency
- Official range: 293 km.
- Personal haul: ~200 km on a typical drive (but that’s because I pushed it a bit).
- Efficiency landed at 19 kWh/100 km—right smack in the claimed bracket of 18.1–22.7 kWh/100 km.
- With a gentle foot, you might push that out to 250 km per charge.
The Bottom Line
It’s a van that pretends to be a car. Stripped of bling and rowdiness, it offers a surprisingly placid, modern driving experience that borrows the best from contemporary hatchbacks while still holding its own in space and utility. If you’re after a quiet, efficient ride that feels more like a sleek coupe than an everyday utility vehicle, this Combo‑e cuts the right chords.
An interior with so much storage space
Inside the 3.9‑Cubic‑Metre Cruiser
Space that’s Bigger Than It Looks
Don’t let the modest 3.9 m³ load capacity fool you. The boxy shape and a towering 1.88 m height mean the cargo area actually offers quite a bit of room.
I once shuttled six of my coworkers down a quick run—yep, it held them right in the rear. Just a heads‑up: no ventilation, so it can feel like a snug, stuffy bubble if you cram too many people in.
Materials: Basic but Functional
The interior feels solid thanks to a blend of hard plastics and black vinyl. It’s no frills, but it’s enough to get the job done.
Comfort Features
- Cruise control keeps the drive smooth even on long stretches.
- Bluetooth connectivity loads the music, and the speakers actually sound good.
- Auto headlights and windows—because why should you have to do the small stuff?
- Turn down the air with an HVAC system that uses physical buttons instead of gimmicky touch screens.
The True Gem: Storage
What really steals the show is how much you can stash in the cabin. From small gadgets to larger kits, the inventory zones are generous, turning the car into a mobile storage solution.
Storage Love: Opel’s Clever Compartments
Ever feel like a car is just a big box for your stuff? Opel’s got a secret plan that turns that feeling upside‑down.
Not Just the Usual Cubby Drawer
- Front of the driver and passenger: dedicated spots so you can keep a phone, wallet or even a snack jar in plain sight.
- Between the seats: a generous stretch that’s perfect for bags, duffles or that oversized gym kit.
- Above the seats: a small shelf that’s ideal for crisp documents, your passport, or that tiny squeaky mouse you’re secretly a collector of.
So, a huge shout‑out to Opel for realizing that a vehicle isn’t just a way to get from point A to B—it’s a treasure chest for your daily doses of “things.” Cheers to orderly adventures!
Is it e-nough?
Opel’s Combo‑e: A Glistening Electric Van Worth the Dream
For $145,000, the Combo‑e is a bit of a luxury, especially when compared to the economical options coming out of China. That said, green isn’t cheap—yet the future can be. Even though its range battles the extremes of load, hot days, or a turbo‑charged driving style, that’s a shared trait among all electric commercial trucks. In the world of electrified cargo vans, this one is the rock‑solid, smooth‑riding champion we’ve tested in 2022.
Comfort that’s on the Move
Just hit the pedal and you’ll find yourself feeling as mellow as if you’d pulled into a regular sedan, not a tired, exhaust‑fueled beast. No creaks, no rattles, no diesel fumes—just pure, chilled electric hum.
Why the Trade‑Off Makes Sense
There are still some hurdles: the battery life, initial cost, and that thin tunnel of skepticism about zero‑emission workhorses. But when it comes to the long‑run, the Combo‑e pulls ahead with lower operating expenses and fewer maintenance headaches.
Technology is marching forward, snatching better ranges from the limelight. The question that remains: Are you ready to hop on board the electric train and steer your business into greener lanes?
Key Specs at a Glance
- Price: $145,000
- Powertrain: Electric motor delivering 134 bhp and 260 Nm torque
- Transmission: Single‑speed automatic
- Drive: Front‑wheel drive
- Battery: 50 kWh
- Consumption: 5.52 km/kWh
- Acceleration: 0–100 km/h in 9.2 s
- Top Speed: 150 km/h
- Dimensions: 4,753 mm × 1,848 mm × 1,880 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,975 mm
- Cargo Capacity: 3,900 litres
Curious about something else?
Check out our 2023 Polestar 2 SRSM review and see why it’s sprinting to the front of the pack.
Originally published by Motorist.
