The Vauxhall Vivaro is a popular British-built van that has also made a name for itself as one of the first viable pure electric van models. The sheer number sold means it's also a great choice as a used van.
Alongside the regular diesel-engined models is the new Vauxhall Vivaro-e, which has a beefy 136PS electric motor and a choice of two batteries – the largest of which offers a range of more than 200 miles.
Rivals to the Vauxhall Vivaro include the near identical Renault Trafic, the ever popular Ford Transit Custom and the Volkswagen Transporter. Take a look at a Vauxhall Vivaro for sale on heycar to discover just what’s on offer.
The Vauxhall Vivaro is a mid-size van that competes with the UK’s dominant sector leader, the Ford Transit Custom. Other rivals include the Renault Trafic and Peugeot Expert. While the Peugeot and the Citroen Dispatch are closely related to the Vauxhall, it’s the Vauxhall Vivaro that is most common here in the UK.
The sheer size of the Vauxhall dealer network and its UK roots (the Vauxhall Vivaro is built at Vauxhall’s Luton plant) undoubtedly help here.
The 2019-on Vauxhall Vivaro is a notably good-looking machine for a van. It is nicely proportioned, with a modern front end and a clean side profile. It’s sportier than some alternatives, and that refreshing feel carries through to the interior, which is grown-up and well-equipped.
All Vauxhall Vivaros get air conditioning and a touchscreen infotainment system – van drivers have never had it so good – while standard rear parking sensors will make reversing a dream. A Sportive version gets stylish extra body styling features and a useful through-load feature inside, which is ideal for carrying extra-long objects.
The pure electric Vauxhall Vivaro-e is a standout model in the sector. Some earlier electric vans had pitiful driving ranges of less than 100 miles, but the Vauxhall Vivaro-e can do more than 200 miles between charges. Standard rapid-charge functionality also means it can go from flat to 80 percent capacity in just 45 minutes.
You can still get diesel Vauxhall Vivaro, though, with the most fuel-efficient version returning almost 43mpg. And there's an automatic gearbox for the ultimate in everyday ease-of-use.
The Vauxhall Vivaro is offered in a range of gross vehicle weights, from 2.7 tonnes to 3.1 tonnes. Add in two different body lengths (L1 is just under 5.0 metres long and has a 5.3 cubic-metre load bay, L2 is 5.3 metres long and has 6.1 cubic metres of space), plus a vast range of accessories, and it's one of the most practical used vans around.
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All Vauxhall Vivaros are easy to drive in town or out on the motorway. The ride quality can be quite harsh when the van is empty on rough roads, but settles into a comfortable soft rhythm when laden. Each version gets cruise control and hill start assist as standard, while mid-spec models get rear parking sensors, automatic windscreen wipers and auto headlights.
High spec models get lots of car-like tech, which includes a head up display that shows the vehicle's speed on the lower part of the windscreen. Automatic emergency braking is also available, which can avoid a crash or reduce its effects by automatically applying the brakes.
Buyers get the choice of 1.5 and 2.0 turbodiesel engines. The entry-level 120PS 1.5-litre unit is sufficient for light load moving and returns up to 47mpg according to the advertised WLTP figures. Most engines are linked to a six-speed manual as standard, while the range-topping 180PS 2.0-litre engine gets an eight-speed torque converter automatic. The Vivaro-e can cover up to around 200 miles on a single battery charge, so it will suit those working in an urban environment better than users covering large mileages every day.
Vauxhall offers the Vauxhall Vivaro-e with a choice of battery sizes, both using the same 136PS electric motor and automatic gearbox. The Vauxhall Vivaro diesel has two engines available, a 1.5-litre or 2.0, and both come as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox. There’s an optional automatic transmission for the 2.0 version.
Both Vauxhall Vivaro-e models have a drive mode selector button. ‘Normal’ mode delivers 107PS, ‘Power’ releases the full 136PS, and ‘Eco’ caps output to 80PS, for maximum electric range.
Vauxhall references the Vivaro’s gross vehicle weight, or GVW, in the model names. The Vauxhall Vivaro 2700 has a GVW of 2660kg, for example. The 2900 is 2830kg and the 3100 is exactly 3100kg. The Vauxhall Vivaro-e 50kWh has a GVW of 3100kg as well. The heavier Vauxhall Vivaro-e 75kWh has a slightly lower GVW of 3025kg.
The gross vehicle weight is the maximum weight of the vehicle, driver and any passengers, fuel and overall load.
The Vauxhall Vivaro range is nice and straightforward, with two key trim levels and a range of models using different engines and different lengths of body.
The Vauxhall Vivaro’s exterior dimensions are:
The Vauxhall Vivaro’s load space volume is:
This generation of Vauxhall Vivaro will see its owner pay £320 per year in road tax for the diesel-powered models. With the Vivaro-e, road tax is free as it has zero emissions.
Insurance for the Vauxhall Vivaro is competitive with its class rivals. The Vauxhall Vivaro L1 2900 1.5 100 Turbo D starts from group 35, with the 2700 1.5 120 Turbo D moving up to group 37, and the 3100 2.0 145 Turbo D starting from group 40 (choosing an auto transmission nudges it up to group 41). The longer Vauxhall Vivaro L2 generally ranks an insurance group higher, spec for spec. The Vauxhall Vivaro-e 3100 50kWh L1 and L2 are both group 41. The 75kWh L1 is group 43 and the 75kWh L2 is in group 44.
Read our full Vauxhall Vivaro review