They say variety is the spice of life. Well the Vauxhall Vivaro Life certainly offers variety.

Car magazines and websites push Supercars and fast Hatchbacks, they drift them around motor racing circuits abroad and tell us generally how good they are. The pictures look great and it proves the drivers can get a car going sideways. But how relevant is this to the average person wanting to look for a vehicle to either get from A to B, taxi the family around or possibly get the pet to the vets? I hear you shout “ Not at all”.

Well, let me tell you about a vehicle that is very relevant to everyday life and the demands associated with having a family. I describe it as a vehicle for now as it is classified as a car, but during the course of testing, I discovered it is so much more.

I will explain myself, as this is a car in the MPV sector but as I mention the practicality it offers, allows it to be a good-sized van or the versatility of both. Take the rear set of seats out and you have the advantages of still being able to carry five people with lots of cargo, in more comfortable surroundings than a van.

Whilst I had the Vivaro Life I got asked to move furniture for family members, and the huge space allowed me to swallow large pieces without having to remove the seats. I just folded all the seats forward and slid the wardrobes and other bits in. Myself and fellow remover then enjoyed are journey back to where we had to offload the furniture.

So the Life, can carry large loads, it also carries people very well as an MPV should. Lots of individual space for each passenger. This was well demonstrated when I was asked to transport some pensioners to Petersfield for the day. The Vivaro Life is the ideal car for this, with easy access and exit, with space inside for people to get to their seats stress-free. The higher seating also offers the passengers a great view, something my discerning group appreciated. I heard comments about how comfortable the seats were and the ease of finding the seat belt buckle. Then the pensioners commented on the areas for their bits and bobs, very important to all users. The Elite model can take up to eight passengers with lots of room for their luggage, sports kit etc. The Edition version can have a front bench seat and take up to nine again in comfort with plenty of space.

The life is easy to enter and exit for all passengers. The rear doors both sides are sliding via electronic assistance. They can be opened by the driver also with the press of a button.

The Vivaro Life handles like a car with secure cornering from the front-wheel-drive and very good suspension, tackling all the worst of the road system. The excellent driving position allows you to see well ahead and with clear visibility all around the car. All switches and buttons are easily to hand, and the display unit is clear and simple to use. It is a large 7.0-inch touchscreen and comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Smart navigation system. Vauxhall Connect and a panoramic rear-view camera are also included.

Elite features a range of state-of-the-art driver assistance and safety features. Standard specification on Elite includes keyless open and start, xenon headlights, head-up display, blind spot alert and 180° rear parking camera. Additional safety features are grouped together and are available in options packs, making it easier to add the level of security needed. The car is packed with useable technology.

I drove the six speed manual and found it performed very well. Gone are the days where these vehicles drove like vans, they are now cars in their pwn right. The gearbox is smooth and you can push the life along rapidly if you want to. The driver gets indications in the display suggesting when to shift up or down for best economy.

Vivaro Life is available to order now in two trims: the stylish and well-appointed Elite and the multi-purpose Edition version.

The electric version will be availavble in 2021 and an automatic in 2020.

I drove the Vivaro Life Elite long body version with 2-litre Turbo diesel engine.

Price £42000

The range starts FROM £28,610.00

Further details https://www.vauxhall.co.uk/cars/vivaro-life/model-overview.html

Thanks to the team at Vauxhall for the loan.