Vauxhall Vivaro Panel Van (2025) Review

Introduction

The Vauxhall Vivaro is a familiar sight on UK roads, and for good reason. Once built in Luton but now assembled in northern France, and sharing its platform with the Citroen Dispatch, Peugeot Expert and Fiat Scudo, the Vivaro is Vauxhall’s best-selling van and the backbone of Stellantis’s medium van range in the UK.

It’s recently had a facelift, bringing the brand’s bold “vizor” grille and a modernised cab to the van, while leaving the proven diesel engines and underpinnings unchanged. That makes it a safe and reliable choice for operators who value payload, practicality, and dealer support.

But is that enough to keep up with newer models like the Ford Transit Custom and Volkswagen Transporter, and established rivals like the Mercedes Vito and Renault Trafic, in the industry’s most competitive sector? The Vivaro needs to be on top form…

Key Features

The Vauxhall Vivaro comes with a straightforward but appealing package of features. Buyers can choose between two diesel engines — a 1.5-litre with 120hp and a more powerful 2.0-litre with 150hp — both of which are paired with a six-speed manual gearbox, with the larger engine also available with an automatic transmission. Two body lengths are offered, although only one roof height is available, keeping the overall height under two metres so it can still access multi-storey car parks. Payload remains one of the Vivaro’s strong points, with some models capable of carrying up to 1,384kg, putting it right near the top of the class.

Practicality is helped by the inclusion of sliding doors on both sides of the van and barn-style rear doors that open to 180 degrees, making it easy to load Euro pallets from the side or rear. Inside the cab, a new 10.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is fitted to every model, bringing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Higher trims add navigation and Vauxhall’s clever Dynamic Surround View camera system.

The Vivaro Electric is also available for those who require zero-emission capability, but for most buyers, the diesel versions remain the default choice, thanks to its blend of range, payload, and value.

Performance & Drive

There’s been a very obvious update to the outside of the Vivaro, but underneath the skin, not much has changed. Buyers can choose between the same 120hp 1.5-litre diesel, which produces enough torque (300Nm) to haul a half-loaded van without feeling underpowered, or a 150hp 2.0-litre diesel, with both using a six-speed manual gearbox. The larger engine can also be paired with a smooth automatic transmission.

For those that want a little more oomph, there’s also an uprated 180hp version of the 2.0-litre engine, although that’s only available on the ‘hot’, and very expensive, GS model.

The smaller engine is refined and frugal, returning up to 44.8mpg in WLTP testing, and perfectly capable for lighter work, though payload capacity takes a hit, to the tune of around 200kg. The 2.0-litre is the better all-rounder, especially for those regularly running fully loaded vans or towing. Both engines are quiet and responsive enough, with little difference in real-world pace even when carrying a demo load of 250kg in the back. By the time you’ve loaded 800kg or so, you’re likely to feel the difference.

The Vivaro feels tidy and composed, although it’s still some way from being car-like. It might share many of the same components as the Vauxhall Grandland, but it’s all been bolstered to cope with the demands of commercial use. Still, steering is light and accurate, and body roll is well contained. It’s not quite as smooth and refined as a Ford Transit Custom or Volkswagen Transporter, but it’s no worse than what’s available in the rest of the medium van market.

Running Costs

Official economy ranges from 34.0 to 44.8mpg, with the 1.5-litre model being the most frugal. That’s broadly in line with rivals, even if real-world figures tend to be somewhat lower under heavy-duty, urban, or fully loaded usage. Vivaro’s reputation for economy is pretty solid, though.

Service intervals are every two years or 25,000–32,000 miles, depending on model, which should help keep downtime to a minimum. Warranty cover is three years or 100,000 miles, which matches the offering from Ford for its Transit Custom. However, Volkswagen’s five-year cover, which includes five years of servicing and MOTs as well, tops that. Better yet is Toyota’s Relax scheme for its Proace van — identical to the Vivaro and built on the same production line — which stretches to 10 years if serviced through the dealer network.

Depreciation and residuals tend to track the wider Stellantis medium-van group. The Vivaro’s relatively broad market and strong parts support help maintain its appeal, which in turn helps values stay slightly higher than those of its Stellantis siblings, and generally reduces leasing costs slightly.

Interior & Tech

Step into the Vivaro’s cab and the update is immediately obvious, although Vauxhall hasn’t gone too wild. The new, rather functional dashboard layout is dominated by a 10.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, which is crisp and straightforward to use, if not exactly state-of-the-art — you’ll find the Transit Custom and Transporter’s system easier to use.

Entry-level Prime models require a smartphone for navigation, but wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are in place to make that easy. The higher-spec Pro versions include built-in mapping. Both trims also feature a new 10.0-inch digital driver’s display, which is configurable to display speed, fuel usage, or navigation prompts.

Practical touches, such as a phone shelf with a USB socket or a smart rear view system that uses cameras to broadcast a video feed from the back and side of the van onto the rear view mirror, make a big difference day to day.

It’s still all rather functional than plush, though, and doesn’t mask the main drawback: the driving position. The pedals and steering wheel are offset, one to the left of centre and one to the right, leaving the driver twisted in the seat. It’s manageable on shorter trips but can become uncomfortable over long distances.

Payload & Practicality

Payload is one of the Vivaro’s strengths, with up to 1,384kg possible — still one of the best in class, although just beaten by the latest Transit Custom. Cargo volume is less impressive, at 5.3m³ for the standard van and 6.1m³ for the longer XL model, both trailing most rivals. However, there’s still enough space to fit in two Euro pallets, with the XL squeezing in a third.

Pro models get a load-through panel in the bulkhead. When the panel is in use, your van will be a strict single-seater, but it’ll allow you to load long items, such as pipework or fence posts more than 4m long, at least in the XL model. That’s more than a metre over the standard load length. There’s no high-roof option either, which limits flexibility, although it does allow the van to squeeze into multi-storey car parks and other height-restricted areas.

Access is excellent, with sliding doors on both sides (although they’re smaller than the doors on a Transit Custom) and rear barn doors that open to 180 degrees. Swung open, they leave an opening of 1,282mm — wide enough to access with a forklift. Crew van versions are also offered, adding three extra seats but reducing load space by a pretty significant 2.1m3.

Safety

The Vivaro comes well-equipped with safety and driver-assistance technology. All models include essentials such as electronic stability control, ABS, driver and passenger airbags, autonomous emergency braking, cruise control, and rear parking sensors. Automatic headlights and wipers are also standard, and trailer sway assist features across the range, adding another layer of reassurance when towing.

Stepping up to Pro trim adds Dynamic Surround View, a system that combines side cameras with a digital rear-view mirror to reduce blind spots. While it’s a useful upgrade, the wide-angle distortion of the camera feed means visibility isn’t quite as strong as in some rivals. It’s not helped by small door mirrors, which limit the view behind. Euro NCAP has tested the Vivaro through its comprehensive safety assessment and awarded it four stars, losing a fifth star due to less-than-perfect crash avoidance technology.

Options

Vauxhall keeps the range simple. Two trims — Prime and Pro — cover most needs. Prime brings the essentials, with touchscreen infotainment, smartphone connectivity, air conditioning, and parking sensors. Pro adds built-in navigation, Dynamic Surround View, larger wheels and styling upgrades. There’s also a sporty GS model, which adds a touch more power, heated leather seats, and a load of cosmetic touches, including spoilers, stickers, splitters and flash alloy wheels.

Beyond trim choice, options are limited to body length, engine, gearbox, and a handful of extras. Those heated seats in the GS cost £500 in the Prime and Pro models, while adaptive cruise control (and a few other bits of tech) add £950 as part of a pack.

Rival Vans

The Vivaro faces intense competition in the medium-van market. The Ford Transit Custom remains the class benchmark for driving experience, refinement and payload capacity, but it’s now joined by the mechanically identical Volkswagen Transporter. While the Ford has a huge reputation in the UK, Volkswagen’s improved warranty cover and service package means it’s where we’d place our money.

The Renault Trafic and Nissan Primastar offer roomy load boxes and high-roof options, although they’re less agile to drive, and payloads can be lower.

Stellantis, Vauxhall’s parent company, also sells the identical Fiat Scudo, Citroen Dispatch and Peugeot Expert, making it worth shopping around for deals. Toyota’s Proace, mechanically the same, stands out with its 10-year warranty.

Verdict

The Vauxhall Vivaro remains one of the UK’s favourite vans for good reason. It’s affordable, well-equipped and capable of carrying heavy loads, all backed up by a wide dealer network, and it’s that backup that makes it the most practical pick of the Stellantis quartet.

It’s not perfect — limited cargo volume and an awkward driving position see to that — and rivals like the Ford Transit Custom and Volkswagen Transporter have edged ahead in key areas.

But the Vivaro’s blend of strong payload ratings, tidy driving manners, and decent value keeps it firmly in the game, if not quite leading it. For most small businesses and fleets, it remains an excellent all-round choice.

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**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top leading independent car website reviews of the Vauxhall Vivaro Panel Van.

**Correct as of 14/10/2025. Based on 12 months initial payment, 5,000 miles annually, over a 60 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 12 monthly payments, or £2,664.72 (Plus admin fee) Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.