Vauxhall Vivaro Panel Van (2019 - 2024) review

In this review, we’re looking at the longer of the two lengths available in the Vivaro – the L2 version – which (obviously) appeals to those needing a bit more room in the loadspace. This might be due to the need to carry longer lengths, a requirement for additional volume for parcels, or perhaps as a base vehicle for a conversion into a camper van. There’s no high roof version (never has been in this generation), so what you see in an L2 Vivaro is what you get. The maximum load length is 2862mm at floor level, although this decreases to 2535mm at mid-height. If you utilise the load-through bulkhead facility, those needing to carry a 4-metre length are just catered for with 4024mm being available from the rear doors through to the passenger footwell. 4 metres is a critical dimension for some, so this undoubtedly wins the Vivaro L2 many friends. Maximum loadspace width is 1636mm, the width between the wheel arches is 1258mm and internal height maxes out at 1397mm. The total volume available is 6.1 cubic metres, increasing to 6.6cu/m if you include the load-through facility. Payload on the test van is 1060kg, which will work for most (I always think that at least 1 tonne makes for a good payload in a medium van, anything else is a bonus), but it’s only fair to point out that other models in the Vivaro L2 range can carry up to a huge 1458kg. The standard door arrangement is twin rear doors and, generously, twin side loading doors, making for easy and safe loading and unloading whichever side of the road you pull up on. There are 8 load lashing points, but when it comes to load area lighting there’s no option for LED illumination (a continuing bugbear of mine when you consider how cheap LED lights are). The cost these days to a manufacturer for this simple lighting enhancement must be negligible, and good lighting makes all the difference to an operator on gloomy days or dark nights.

The Vivaro’s cab interior feels cramped compared to the likes of the Ford Transit Custom, something I’ve picked up other Stellantis medium vans on. This sensation isn’t helped by the small windows and high dashboard, making the occupants feel enclosed. It’s especially noticeable if the driver is accompanied by two passengers, the modest cab width making things a touch snug and inviting the inevitable awkward knee fondling of the middle passenger. The individual in the centre seat will constantly find themselves in a territorial dispute with the gear lever surround, so I would only recommend three people in the front every now and then – but it is a nice-to-have. The dash is now looking dated but, to be fair, it’s functional and everything is where it should be. There’s plenty of cab storage, including a dash top area and a glovebox, and the FlexCargo load-through bulkhead allows for the outer passenger to be folded up, providing a storage area if the space isn’t being occupied by loads intruding from the rear of the van. The driving position is offset, the pedals being slightly to the right of the driver. Many drivers seem not to notice this (me included) but others have complained that on long journeys the arrangement can leave them feeling uncomfortable. This last point is only an observation that is often stated and one that shouldn’t deter operators from trying out the Vivaro (or any of the other Stellantis medium vans).

Our test van was fitted with the 1.5-litre 100PS diesel engine, which achieved 40.9mpg in the official WLTP Combined test cycle, comparing well with other medium vans. The Vivaro comes with a three-year/100,000-mile warranty and the van needs a scheduled service every 2 years or 25,000 miles, a decent interval meaning that expensive downtime is minimised. The Vivaro is very popular on the second-hand market, so values are strong and the first owner is unlikely to be disappointed with the resale value, part exchange value or lease deal when the time comes to change the van.

Vauxhall launched this Vivaro in 2019, three years after its sister companies in the Stellantis group – Citroen and Peugeot – had released their versions of vans built on the same platform. The beauty of this for the Luton-based company was that any teething troubles had been ironed out before the Vivaro went on sale. There have been no reports of any significant issues with the Vivaro, the van seemingly being very reliable. The previous generation of the Vivaro was built on the Renault Trafic platform (still in use by Renault’s medium van) and was often touted for its reliability – it’s good that the modern Vivaro still offers that same level of peace of mind for its fans and full marks in this section are well-deserved.

A 100PS engine is at the lower end of power outputs in any van range these days, even small vans have engines boasting considerably more ‘oomph’ than this one. Vauxhall is a little shy of issuing performance figures for the Vivaro and it’s probably fair to say that fitted with this engine the van isn’t going to win many races (not that you should be racing these vehicles), but bear in mind that not all that long ago an engine producing 100PS would be at the top end of manufacturers power unit options. That said, the van breezes along quite nicely, but with a tonne of sand and cement in the rear it could be hard work maintaining a high cruising speed on the open road. Incidentally, this engine is renowned for being one of the quietest in any van, which could tip things in its favour for any operator looking for calm running.

I’ve always enjoyed driving the Vivaro – from the first time I reviewed this generation back in 2019 to now. It retains the traditional hydraulically operated power steering that I find gives much more ‘feel’ than the newer electric arrangement being fitted to many cars and vans these days. Somehow, it gives a driver more confidence, especially if the van is being driven quickly. The ride quality is good, even when unladen, which is hard for designers to achieve, but this softer set-up comes at a price that you’ll notice when the van rolls a little during sharp cornering. Nothing here is out of the ordinary and I’d posit that the Vauxhall Vivaro is one of the easiest vans to enjoy driving on the market today.

With vans including more and more safety tech either as standard or optional equipment, to give a good overview it’s always worth consulting the NCAP website to see how a van fared in their rigorous tests. It’s not great news for Vauxhall, the van only achieving the Bronze accolade – although better Bronze than nothing at all. The report highlights an Autonomous Emergency Braking system, which had mixed test results, but the main criticism is a lack of availability of safety features. Newer generations have seemingly taken this feedback on board.

Vivaro Pro is reasonably well equipped. The 7-inch multimedia screen (a little on the small side these days) includes satellite navigation, Apple and Android smartphone integration, and the output from a rear-view camera. Air conditioning and cruise control make things a little more comfortable for the driver, and there are automatic wipers and lights. There’s an alarm system, and the van’s exterior features body-coloured items such as the front bumper and side mouldings.

To sum up, there’s good and not so good with this van (you’ll notice I didn’t say “bad”). A decent sized loadspace, including that four-metre load length capacity, will tick the box for many looking for a larger medium van. The Vivaro is cheap to run and drives well, even with this lower-powered engine and its modest power output. But a buyer needs to consider the cab, with its cramped environment, not to mention that Bronze NCAP result. That said, the Vivaro L2 Pro will do a decent day's work and not cost the owner an arm and a leg in doing so, but the van has its limitations, and a potential buyer would be wise to check out alongside the competition before committing. If you can pick up the Vivaro L2 (or indeed any Vivaro of this generation) on a good finance or lease deal, you’ll be getting yourself a solid workhorse that should remain free of any significant trouble for as long as you look after it. And nowadays, I’ll take the reliability and peace of mind that comes with stepping into a van I know will do the job without skipping a beat.