Fiat Doblo vs Opel Combo vs Volkswagen Caddy: Which one has the lowest running costs?

Today we will determine whether the Fiat Doblo has lower running costs than rivals such as the Opel Combo and Volkswagen Caddy.

Sean Nurse

18 Nov 2022 · 09:40Buying a Car

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Diesel passenger vans still have a place in the local market for those looking at frugality and practicality, so today we will determine which one is cheaper to run between the Fiat Doblo Combi Maxi, the Opel Combo Life and Volkswagen Caddy.

The figures

	Fiat Doblo Combi Maxi 1.6 Multijet SX	Opel Combo Life 1.6TD Enjoy	Volkswagen Caddy Kombi 2.0 TDI
Engine size	4-cyl, 1.6-litre turbodiesel	4-cyl, 1.6-litre turbodiesel	4-cyl, 2.0-litre turbodiesel
Power/Torque	77 kW/320 Nm	68 kW/230 Nm	81 kW/300 Nm
Gearbox	6-speed manual	5-speed manual	6-speed manual
Seats	5	5	7
Airbags	4	6	2
Driven wheels	Front	Front	Front
Load Capacity	4200-litres	2126-litres	2556-litres
Fuel capacity	60-litres	52-litres	60-litres
Claimed consumption	7.0 L/100 km	5.0 L/100 km	5.5 L/100 km
CO2 emissions	144 g/km	131 g/km	145 g/km
Service plan	3-year/60 000km	3-year /60 000km	3-year/30 000km
Price	R499 900	R464 900	R494 600

Related: The best Ford Transit Custom offers AutoTrader found advertised in 2022.

Comparing the trio

Purchase price

The models we have chosen for this comparison are competitors from a pricing and body-style perspective. Monthly instalments are calculated throughout 72 months with a 10% deposit and no balloon or residual. The interest rate is set at 11%.

Fiat Doblo Combi Maxi 1.6 Multijet SX

With the instalment parameters in place, the Fiat will work out at R8 564 per month over 72 months.

Opel Combo Life 1.6TD Enjoy

With the instalment parameters in place, the Opel will work out at R 7 964 per month over 72 months.

Volkswagen Caddy Kombi 2.0TDI

With the instalment parameters in place, the Volkswagen will work out at R8 473 per month over 72 months.

Fuel consumption

On paper, the Opel has the lowest claimed fuel consumption followed closely by the Volkswagen. The real-world figures produced by the trio should be very similar but based on its lower kerb weight, the Combo is likely to edge it.

Service plans

All three models come with 3-year/60 000km service plans.

Verdict

Having looked at the data, in the first five years of ownership, we would be confident that the Opel Combo Life will have the lowest running costs of the three products being compared.

Written by Sean Nurse

With a lifelong passion for cars, bikes, and motorsport, Sean knew that attaining a degree in journalism would allow him to pursue his passion, which was to be a motoring journalist. After graduating in 2012, Sean was awarded a bursary from the SAGMJ which allowed him to work for a variety of motoring publications. This was a dream come true for Sean, and after a year of gaining vital industry experience, he was hired as a motoring journalist at a local newspaper and worked his way up to editor. In 2020, Sean joined the AutoTrader team and counts himself lucky to wake up and genuinely love what he does for a living.Read more