What Van? Britain's biggest and best van buyers' guide

4th Report

The days when ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) and safety kit were at the bottom of the list for fleet managers specifying vans for their staff are thankfully becoming consigned to history, although recent research by the Thatcham Research Centre in partnership with Euro NCAP made uncomfortable reading for some manufacturers who, it was revealed, were fitting far fewer safety aids to their light commercials than to their passenger cars. 

Although the Vauxhall Vivaro performed reasonably well in the tests, receiving the second top silver certification, it is to be hoped the research will encourage manufacturers to focus even more closely on this critical area.

Our Vivaro Elite is pretty well stocked with ADAS features, but I have come across a couple of bugbears as a driver. The first is that the rear-view mirror has been left in place despite the presence of the full-height bulkhead and non-glazed rear doors rendering it a non-functional distraction.

While I, of course, applaud the fitting of the bulkhead in protecting the double cab from any items that may come loose in the load area, why not remove the mirror too?

The side mirrors on which van drivers rely heavily could also stand to be a tad larger but this shortcoming is amply mitigated for by the excellent ‘panoramic’ reversing camera and all round sensors on my van, as well as by the inclusion of lane departure warning, which alerts the driver if they stray out of lane without indicating, and by side blind spot alert that flashes an orange light in the appropriate side mirror if a vehicle is approaching unseen on either side.

I have previously praised the Vivaro’s semi-adaptive cruise control for taking the strain out of long motorway trips but a drawback is that the buttons and finger wheel for activating and deactivating the system are often hidden behind one of the steering wheel struts on the steering column when driving, which can make them fiddly to use.

While its inclusion is laudable in helping to keep the driver within legal limits, the speed sign recognition chime can become a little irritating on inner-city routes when the speed cameras come thick and fast. 

Overall, however, the ADAS provisions are impressive, one such is the head-up display, which the driver can view while keeping eyes on the road, I particularly like the dial on the dashboard that enables the driver to position the display in the best position to see it. Also included are forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, driver drowsiness warning system, driver and front passenger’s curtain and side-impact airbags, hill start assist, selective door locking, rain-sensitive windscreen wipers, automatic lighting control and front cornering lights.

For light off-roading assignments, my van also has the Intelligrip traction-aid package as a £660, excluding VAT, option, which includes modes for driving in snow, mud or sand.

Report card: Safety = 4/5

The Vivaro Elite comes with a comprehensive range of ADAS and safety kit.