by People can be conditionally divided into those who “wear heels” and those who will never love them no matter what. We are talking about cars that are called “pies,” “heels,” “vans.” Just like with pickups, such format cars either “come in” forever, or cause, if not disgust, then misunderstanding.
In the case of business, it’s clear that such models are simply worth their weight in gold. But in this case, we are talking about the use of such a car as a family vehicle. And here come controversial moments that were, are, and will always be. Personally, I very well remember the Peugeot Partner Tepee, the video test of which we conducted almost 10 years ago, and it left very unforgettable impressions. It was then that I radically changed my attitude towards “pies” as utilitarian, retiree, and frankly commercial cars – that’s how I thought at the time.
However, it should be noted that at the time I was a little over 20, and now I’m a little over 30. And although back then I unexpectedly fell in love with a car format that was incomprehensible to me, now, it seems, it has become even closer to me. And to confirm or refute this, I took the whole family on an Opel Combo Life from Kyiv to Odesa.
These days, few people want to read a lot, so I will not remind you that Opel, Peugeot, Citroën – they are already “peas in a pod.” But let me remind you that the new Opel Combo is essentially a Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Rifter. At the same time, despite the “family ties,” the features of Opel models are traced in the Combo model. It is not particularly flashy, without all sorts of decorative and additional elements, which the “French” can boast. German restraint is present both outside and inside, and on this, I propose to conclude.
As it often happens, the test car is a top modification with all the “goodies” that are even hard to imagine in a near-commercial vehicle. For example, this version has traffic sign recognition, lane control, an emergency braking system, automatic high/low beam, and of course, separate climate control (though not for the rear row). However, there is advanced multimedia with a large screen. And the most pleasant feature is the high ceiling, a bunch of “airplane” niches for things, various “hiding spots,” cup holders, glove compartments, tables, and curtains. Importantly, it provides for dozens of interior transformation options, which allow you to accommodate any long items inside the cabin – be it a drunk family father (even if he’s a basketball player) or a surfboard.
By the way, in our case, we have a 5-seat version; there is also a 7-seat one. In this case, there is less space for luggage, but here it depends on what is more important – and the third row can always be folded. In my personal opinion, a seven-seater car is only needed by those who have more than 3 children in the family, otherwise friends and relatives will always say “let’s go in yours and chip in for gas,” and this scenario, as it seems to me, doesn’t suit everyone. And it’s not so much about “shared costs” as the comfort and level of extra noise and chatter in the cabin (even though it’s convenient for everyone – the seats are just excellent for this class of car). By the way, there are no complaints about soundproofing in the Opel Combo, neither as a “heel” nor just as a family car. Of course, the sound of a diesel can’t be “covered up with champagne,” but if you don’t imagine yourself as a multi-child racer, it’s quite comfortable and quiet inside.
Handling. It’s kind of necessary to mention this, the classic test-drive writing requires it, which though “dying out,” still exists (not for long). I’ll be brief – at first, I was afraid to drive faster than 120 km/h. Then I “got used to it” and moved without much discomfort at speeds of 140 and even 150 km/h. The obvious nuances are wind resistance and swaying, especially when overtaking trucks. And it is logical. Rolls in corners are also predictably noticeable, which is again logical, but at the same time, the soft suspension amply and almost silently “swallows” the architectural features of the ever-repairing Odesa (to Odesa residents – Kyiv’s) highway.
Consumption. In the mode “go away, I’m not in a hurry,” you can fit in 4 with a tail liters of diesel, and that’s realistic. If you drive to get to the sea faster, then 6-7 liters, or even more. Special thanks – to the perfectly paired engine-transmission. The 130-horsepower turbo diesel is very responsive, and the 8-speed automatic “understands” it like a loving wife in a honeymoon.
And now a couple of spoons of tar. The first is the price. In such a configuration as ours, you will have to shell out almost “thirty.” The second spoon – I’m not sure that on the secondary market, it will be possible to sell it profitably (greetings from “camels” driving cars from Europe). The third – on our roads, a compact van is still less practical than a crossover.
Conclusion: I am already over 30, and I definitely belong to the target audience of Partner/Berlingo/Combo. But personally, I would still consider all-wheel drive Peugeot Rifter compact vans. And here the question is not with Combo, but with Ukravtodor…
