diff --git a/e2e/vm_lifecycle_test.go b/e2e/vm_lifecycle_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e4a5d1830
--- /dev/null
+++ b/e2e/vm_lifecycle_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,133 @@
+package e2e
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/weaveworks/ignite/e2e/util"
+	"gotest.tools/assert"
+)
+
+// runVMLifecycle is a helper for testing the VM lifecycle.
+// vmName should be unique for each test.
+func runVMLifecycle(t *testing.T, vmName, runtime, networkPlugin string) {
+	assert.Assert(t, e2eHome != "", "IGNITE_E2E_HOME should be set")
+
+	igniteCmd := util.NewCommand(t, igniteBin)
+
+	// Clean-up the following VM.
+	defer igniteCmd.New().
+		With("rm", "-f", vmName).
+		Run()
+
+	// Run VM.
+	igniteCmd.New().
+		WithRuntime(runtime).
+		WithNetwork(networkPlugin).
+		With("run").
+		With("--name=" + vmName).
+		With("--ssh").
+		With(util.DefaultVMImage).
+		Run()
+
+	// Check network access.
+	igniteCmd.New().
+		With("exec", vmName).
+		With("curl", "google.com").
+		Run()
+
+	// Stop VM.
+	igniteCmd.New().
+		With("stop", vmName).
+		Run()
+
+	// Start VM with explicit runtime and network because these info are
+	// removed when VM is stopped. Without it, the VM will start with the
+	// default provider configurations.
+	igniteCmd.New().
+		With("start", vmName).
+		WithRuntime(runtime).
+		WithNetwork(networkPlugin).
+		Run()
+
+	// Check network access after reboot.
+	igniteCmd.New().
+		With("exec", vmName).
+		With("curl", "google.com").
+		Run()
+}
+
+func TestVMLifecycleWithDockerAndDockerBridge(t *testing.T) {
+	runVMLifecycle(
+		t,
+		"e2e_test_vm_lifecycle_docker_and_docker_bridge",
+		"docker",
+		"docker-bridge",
+	)
+}
+
+func TestVMLifecycleWithDockerAndCNI(t *testing.T) {
+	runVMLifecycle(
+		t,
+		"e2e_test_vm_lifecycle_docker_and_cni",
+		"docker",
+		"cni",
+	)
+}
+
+func TestVMLifecycleWithContainerdAndCNI(t *testing.T) {
+	runVMLifecycle(
+		t,
+		"e2e_test_vm_lifecycle_containerd_and_cni",
+		"containerd",
+		"cni",
+	)
+}
+
+// TestVMProviderSwitch tests that a VM's runtime and network-plugin can be
+// changed.
+func TestVMProviderSwitch(t *testing.T) {
+	assert.Assert(t, e2eHome != "", "IGNITE_E2E_HOME should be set")
+
+	vmName := "e2e_test_vm_providers_switch"
+
+	igniteCmd := util.NewCommand(t, igniteBin)
+
+	// Clean-up the following VM.
+	defer igniteCmd.New().
+		With("rm", "-f", vmName).
+		Run()
+
+	// Run VM.
+	igniteCmd.New().
+		WithRuntime("containerd").
+		WithNetwork("cni").
+		With("run").
+		With("--name=" + vmName).
+		With("--ssh").
+		With(util.DefaultVMImage).
+		Run()
+
+	// Check network access.
+	igniteCmd.New().
+		With("exec", vmName).
+		With("curl", "google.com").
+		Run()
+
+	// Stop VM.
+	igniteCmd.New().
+		With("stop", vmName).
+		Run()
+
+	// Start VM with different providers.
+	igniteCmd.New().
+		With("start", vmName).
+		WithRuntime("docker").
+		WithNetwork("docker-bridge").
+		Run()
+
+	// Check network access.
+	igniteCmd.New().
+		With("exec", vmName).
+		With("curl", "google.com").
+		Run()
+}