Vivaro has a choice of two 2.0-litre and a 2.5-litre Euro 4 common rail turbodiesel. The two smaller capacity units replaced the previous 1.9-litre powerplants in 2006. They produce 90hp and 115hp, and develop peak torque of 240Nm and 290Nm. The 2.5-litre is an uprated version of the previous engine, reworked to meet the Euro 4 emission regulations and capable of producing 150hp at 3,500rpm and developing 317Nm of peak torque at 1,600rpm.

These new diesels are smooth in their power delivery, have a wide spread of torque and are relatively vibrationfree. They are all mated to a six-speed manual gearbox with a dash-mounted gearstick. Handling and ride are well up to par compared to the competition, as are the brakes. Discs are employed in all four corners and ABS is a standard feature. Vivaro is remarkably manoeuvrable, but the steering fails to tighten up sufficiently at speed.