Opel Combo Electric Life XL 52 kWh

Overview

The 2025 Opel Combo-e XL 52 kWh is your go-to electric minivan for maximum space and practicality, hitting the European market with a price tag around €39,600 new. Produced since 2024, this XL version stretches out to offer cavernous room for families or businesses needing versatility, accommodating 5 or 7 seats. It’s all about no-fuss electric mobility, packing a decent real-world range and a focus on utility. If you need to shift people or gear efficiently, this van-based MPV is a solid contender in the growing electric family hauler segment.

What's New for 2025?

For 2025, the Combo-e XL 52 kWh continues to rock the fresh updates from its recent facelift. This means it sports Opel’s sharp "Vizor" front-end design, giving it a more modern and distinctive look. Inside, you'll find an upgraded infotainment system, often featuring a larger 10-inch touchscreen for a much-improved user experience. The key upgrade remains its improved battery pack offering better range and efficiency compared to older versions, making it a more compelling package for daily duties. Optional Intelli-Lux LED Matrix headlights are a neat tech addition.

Design & Exterior

The Combo-e XL cuts a practical, if boxy, figure, but the recent addition of Opel’s sleek "Vizor" grille and updated headlights gives it a surprisingly modern face. As an XL, it’s a sizeable beast, measuring 4760 mm in length, 1921 mm in width (excluding mirrors), and 1818 mm in height, promising serious interior volume. Its minivan silhouette clearly prioritizes space over swoopy lines. Sliding side doors are a massive boon for tight parking spots and easy passenger access, making it super family-friendly or ideal for loading gear.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Step inside the Combo-e XL, and you’re greeted by a cabin built for utility and space. With seating for 5 or 7, it’s a proper people-mover. Materials are durable, ready for family life or work duties. Tech-wise, expect a functional infotainment system, often with a 10-inch touchscreen offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The real party trick is the cargo space: a whopping 850 litres in the trunk, expanding to an enormous 2693 litres with seats folded. Sadly, there's no frunk for extra bits and bobs.

Performance & Driving Experience

Under the bonnet (well, floor), the Combo-e XL 52 kWh packs a single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) driving the front wheels. It delivers a sensible 100 kW of power and 270 Nm of torque. This translates to a 0-100 km/h sprint in 11.3 seconds and a top speed of 132 km/h – perfectly adequate for a family hauler. Expect a comfortable, easy-going drive rather than a sporty one. Regenerative braking helps claw back some energy, and its 750 kg braked towing capacity adds a dose of versatility.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Combo-e XL features a 50 kWh usable battery (52 kWh nominal), delivering a Green Cars Compare estimated real-world range of around 295 km. Its efficiency is rated at a decent 5.9 km/kWh. For charging, it comes with a standard 7.4 kW AC on-board charger, with an 11 kW version available optionally for faster home top-ups (around 5 hours for a full charge with the 11 kW unit). On the go, it supports DC fast charging up to 100 kW via its CCS Type 2 port, meaning a 10-80% boost can take roughly 30 minutes.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Safety is a key consideration, and the Opel Combo-e scores a respectable 4 stars from Euro NCAP. It comes equipped with a suite of driver-assistance systems to keep you on the straight and narrow. Standard kit usually includes essentials like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, and traffic sign recognition. You can often bolster this with optional extras such as adaptive cruise control for more relaxed motorway journeys, blind-spot monitoring, and a handy parking camera system to navigate this spacious XL variant.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Opel typically backs the Combo-e XL with a 2-year, unlimited-kilometre manufacturer warranty across Europe, which is pretty standard. Crucially for an EV, the high-voltage battery is covered for 8 years or 160,000 km, guaranteeing at least 70% of its original capacity – giving peace of mind. Powertrain components often align with the main vehicle warranty. While complimentary maintenance isn't always standard, Opels are generally known for reasonable upkeep costs. Regular servicing will focus on checks rather than extensive mechanical work thanks to its simpler electric powertrain.