What’s hot
- Let’s start with the new 1.6 diesel engine. It doesn’t sound anything like a diesel, imparting a welcome refinement to the cabin.
- It’s zippy enough too, with plenty of torque to provide easy drivability in all conditions – town, A-road and motorway. 0-62mph goes in 9.9 seconds and there’s a max of 122mph.
A new IntelliLink infotainment system is a £1200 option that hooks up to smart phones to deliver internet radio and sat nav - More importantly there’s fuel economy of 64.2mpg, helping keep a lid on running costs.
- In company car tax terms it attracts a 19% tax banding, which means a 20% tax payer can expect to pay just £68 a month in benefit in kind company car tax during the 2014/15 tax year.
- Vauxhall has also paid attention to the transmission, damping the gearchange so the shift feels more refined.
- Inside, interior quality is robust, and well put together, while standard kit includes a light enhancing panoramic glass roof with electrically operated sunshade.
The front has been re-worked with chrome touches and a wider stance - There’s plenty of practicality, too, with the ‘taxi’ doors – or FlexDoors in Vauxhall speak – allowing you easy access to the driving and passenger compartment. Families having to lift babies from child restraints will welcome this ease of use…and chiropractors will count their losses.
- FlexRail centre console allows you to share storage areas with rear passengers – although it’s a bit clunky to move in practice.
- The rear seats can be moved inwards to create more passenger comfort and elbow room when only two up at the rear…the centre rest folds down and then a handle below the outer seats can be pulled up and the seat pushes back in a sort of half ’S’ movement to place the seat further into the centre and away from the door.
- And when you don’t want to take anyone in the back but you need to turn your MPV into a mini-van, then the rear seats fold flat.
- New generation IntelliLink infotainment system allows you to hook up your smart phone with apps that can deliver internet radio or satellite navigation (Navi 950 Intellilink is a £1200 option).
- Another novel feature is the FlexFix integrated cycle carrier, a £515 option – highly popular in Europe says Vauxhall, less so here. It’s still a great option.
What’s not
- Our new Meriva review car was fitted with the new 18 inch 10 spoke alloy wheels developed for the car. No problem with them, per se, because they look good. And yes, ride certainly firms up but remains compliant. However, with the quietness of the diesel engine they do transmit a fair amount of road noise into the cabin which gets wearing.
- At low revs the diesel engine transmits vibration through the accelerator pedal.
- The rear seats might do whizzy things, but they are narrow – taking three in the back would be a squeeze.
