A vehicle control apparatus is configured to avoid a forward lunging of a vehicle during a downshift while decelerating. The vehicle control apparatus has a clutch element that operatively coupled to an output of an engine to perform a gear shift operation and a controller that controls engine speed during shifts. If deceleration fuel cutoff conditions are met immediately after engine speed control accompanying a gear shift, delaying the start of fuel cutoff is prohibited and fuel cutoff is started right away whenever the deceleration operating conditions immediately prior to the start of engine speed control have been sustained for at least a specific length of time. On the other hand, if the deceleration duration is less than the specified time, the start of fuel cutoff is delayed so as to avoid catalyst overheating.