A vehicle control apparatus includes input-side and output-side rotating elements, a fuel injection controller, and an ignition timing controller. The ignition timing controller controls ignition timing of an engine to first timing on the condition that the engine is controlled from a fuel cut state to a fuel injection state, and afterwards, changes the ignition timing to second timing on advance side of the first timing. The ignition timing controller changes the ignition timing toward the second timing at a first change rate until a rotational acceleration rate of the output-side rotating element reaches a threshold. After the rotational acceleration rate of the output-side rotating element reaches the threshold, the ignition timing controller changes the ignition timing toward the second timing at a second change rate greater than the first change rate.