Opel Combo Electric Life XL 50 kWh

Overview

The Opel Combo-e XL 50 kWh, though now discontinued as of 2024, was a seriously practical electric minivan perfect for families or businesses needing space without the emissions. This XL version stretches things out for even more room, powered by a 50 kWh battery (46.3 kWh usable). It carved a niche in the EU market for its versatility. If you're hunting for one on the pre-owned market, expect prices around €26,900. It’s all about maximising passenger and cargo room with zero tailpipe fuss, a proper workhorse or family bus made in Spain.

What's New for 2024?

The 2024 Opel Combo-e XL 50 kWh marked the final model year for this specific iteration before its discontinuation, as a facelifted "Combo Electric" model was introduced. As such, major overhauls weren't on the cards for this outgoing version. Instead, it largely carried over the familiar specs and features from its 2021-2023 run. Any changes for these final 2024 units would have been minimal, essentially representing the well-known practical van taking its last bow before being fully replaced by the updated model in Opel's lineup.

Design & Exterior

The Combo-e XL 50 kWh sports a classic, function-first minivan design, absolutely built for practicality. Its "XL" badge means you get a stretched body, measuring a substantial 4753 mm in length, 1921 mm in width (excluding mirrors), and standing 1880 mm tall. This longer wheelbase is the secret to its cavernous interior. Styling is straightforward and unpretentious, featuring easy-access sliding side doors and a large tailgate, making it a master of utility rather than a runway model. It's designed to get the job done efficiently.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside the Combo-e XL, it's all about maximising space and practicality. You could get it configured with seating for five or even seven, making it incredibly flexible for big families or crew transport. The cabin is robustly built, ready for the rigours of daily life. Tech-wise, it typically features a user-friendly infotainment system, often an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Cargo is where it truly flexes its muscles: a huge 806 litres in the boot, expanding to an enormous 2693 litres with seats folded. No frunk, but who needs one with that much space?

Performance & Driving Experience

Don't expect it to tear up the tarmac, but the Combo-e XL’s 100 kW Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor delivers a very usable 260 Nm of instant torque. This front-wheel-drive van ambles from 0-100 km/h in 11.7 seconds, perfectly adequate for city life and merging onto motorways, with a top speed of 135 km/h. The driving experience is tuned for comfort and ease, with light steering and a smooth ride making it a doddle to drive. Regenerative braking helps to send a bit of juice back to the battery during deceleration.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Combo-e XL 50 kWh is fitted with a 46.3 kWh usable battery pack, delivering a Green Cars Compare calculated real-world range of approximately 233 km – pretty decent for daily runs and school trips. Its energy efficiency is rated at a tidy 5.03 km/kWh. For charging, the standard 7.4 kW on-board AC charger will fill it up overnight in about 6-7 hours. An optional 11 kW AC unit cuts that to around 4-5 hours. For rapid top-ups, its CCS Type 2 port accepts up to 100 kW DC, zapping the battery from 10-80% in roughly 30 minutes.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Safety is a key consideration, and the Opel Combo-e platform achieved a solid 4-star rating from Euro NCAP. For this XL 50 kWh trim, a decent array of driver assistance systems was typically available. Standard features often included essentials like automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, and traffic sign recognition. Depending on the original specification and optional packs chosen, buyers could also get features like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring, adding an extra layer of confidence on the road for this family-friendly or business-ready hauler.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

In Europe, Opel generally provides a 2-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty for the vehicle itself. More importantly for an EV, the high-voltage battery usually benefits from an 8-year or 160,000 km warranty, guaranteeing it retains at least 70% of its original capacity. One of the big perks of going electric is reduced maintenance – no more oil changes! This, combined with the proven Stellantis electric powertrain, generally points towards good reliability and fewer scheduled workshop visits compared to its combustion-engined counterparts, keeping running costs down.