The Opel Combo-e Life may quite possibly exist in a category all by itself. And that is something incredibly difficult to do, seeing that electric vehicles are getting increasingly popular.

Consider this – almost 1 in 3 new cars sold from January to May this year were electric. Which makes this feat remarkable, considering it doesn’t subscribe to the usual EV ethos.

So What Exactly Is This?

“This looks exactly like the Combo-e, how is this different?” Well, that’s because it is a Combo-e, though this variant has been built as a passenger vehicle. This might be the only affordable electric MPV on sale today.

Even its van underpinnings have passenger car origins – the commercial vehicle versions of the Combo-e are built on a modified car chassis, the Stellantis EMP2 platform.

And it is a bonafide MPV, and not just one on paper; you are able to seat seven adults comfortably in it cavernous cabin. This trait alone makes it unique amongst the sea of other crossover-based seven seater electric cars on the market today.

Identical Twins? Almost

If you’ve not read about the Combo-e, here’s a refresher. On the outside, both vehicles are virtually identical. The only difference is round the back, with a newly designed tailgate and new brake lights.

In its passenger car makeover, it loses its front row middle seat and bulkhead, and gains a larger infotainment screen (8 inches instead of 5), and a pair of additional speakers. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connect seamlessly via a wired connection.

As mentioned earlier, not only does adding those back seats make the Combo-e Life a bonafide 7-seater, each seat fits a person comfortably. Yes, even the centre seat in the middle row, which even a large guy like myself fits quite comfortably in.

All passengers get a healthy amount of legroom, even in the last row. Typically, I would never sit in the third row, unless it is a large MPV. But in the Combo-e Life, even in the third row with its two individual seats, I fit comfortably with plenty of legroom. 

The Convenience Continues

Just like the Nissan Serena, the rear window on the Combo-e Life can also be opened independently of the boot lid. This makes it useful to access smaller items in the boot without the need to open the large boot lid, especially in multistorey carparks. 

Passengers in the second row get two small tray tables that fold out from the rear of the front seats, providing a platform to hold a bottle or somewhere to place a phone. If more space is needed for larger items, the second row and front passenger seat fold completely flat.

Plus, the second row seats can be folded down individually, allowing you to customise the space for passengers and cargo. Additionally, the space between the third row seats makes slotting in items like flat packed furniture an absolute cinch. 

That being said, the third row doesn’t fold flat. Instead, only the backrests fold down. It would’ve been more ideal if the last row did fold completely flat to allow for better utilisation of the 850 litres of boot space, or the full 2,600 litres with all seats down.

Don’t Drive It Like You Stole It

Drawing power from a 50 kWh battery, 134 bhp and 260 Nm of torque is sent to the front wheels via a single speed transmission. Despite weighing 1,801 kg, its does the century sprint in 10.4 seconds, and onwards to a top speed of 130 km/h.

Steering feel is heavily boosted and feels vague, so if you’re planning on some exuberant driving, don’t. But if you’re looking for an affordable electric 7-seater that will hold all your passengers in comfort and cruise quietly, this is it. 

Add on the better-than-expected noise insulation, NVH levels were kept fairly low, even at expressway speeds. Plus, with an excellent turning circle, manoeuvring in carparks and tighter turns couldn’t be easier, even with its larger dimensions. 

Unfortunately, range is an issue. While Opel does claim 293 kilometres of range, I struggled to come anywhere near that. My best attempt was a smidge over 240 kilometres, and that was by coming dangerously close to running out of battery. 

Charging at a maximum of 100 kW using a DC charger tops off the battery fully in under an hour, while AC charging only goes up to a maximum of 7.4 kW. Interestingly, the in-built navigation automatically starts suggesting nearby charging stations when charge levels get too low. A very thoughtful touch, indeed.

In A Class Of Its Own

Earlier, I said that the Combo-e Life is probably in a class of its own. Why? Look at what’s available now for electric seven seaters. At $204,500 (prices accurate at press time), it is by far the lowest priced option, with its nearest competitor costing almost $50,000 more.

Plus, being over 500 mm shorter than its competition can make a difference for those who are uncomfortable driving a car over 5 metres long. 

What about electric SUVs that seat seven? There are only two, with each costing between $300,000 to $400,000. One of those models isn’t a true seven-seater either, with its third row suited for young children at best.

In a market blessed with a plethora of options, I never expected myself to declare a car to be the lone exception. That’s not to say there aren’t shortcomings, most outstanding being its range (or lack of it), and an interior that could use a more premium touch.

But for consumers with a very specific needs, the Combo-e Life just might be the car that ticks all those boxes, in a quirky yet German manner that only Opel is capable of.

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