Vauxhall Viva 1.0 SE A/C review

What is it?

Vauxhall’s new city car challenger, which revives the iconic Viva badge and goes up against rivals such as the Hyundai i10, Citroen C1 and the Skoda Citigo.

What’s hot?

• All Vivas are powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, which was first fitted in the current Corsa in turbo form. It might have just 74bhp, but it’s a willing, refined and revvy engine, that will be fine if you spend most of your time in the city. This engine is well-matched to the light, slick-shifting five-speed manual transmission here too.
• The Viva’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol should prove cheap to run, with a 62.8mpg combined consumption figure and just 104g/km emissions, meaning the baby Vauxhall falls into tax band B and is just £20 a year in VED.
• The Viva is underpinned by MacPherson front and torsion beam rear suspension, which equals tidy and secure rather than fun handling. In fact, the most impressive thing about how the Viva drives is the grown-up, refined ride, which remained pleasingly composed on the 15-inch wheels over the roughest test route tarmac.
• Can a Viva make a sensible case as an SME company car? Yes, with CO2 emissions of 104g/km, plus a combined fuel consumption figure of 62.8mpg, this car falls into the 15% company car tax band for 2015/2016. Combine that with its low P11D and you’re looking at a company car tax bill of just £21 a month
• The Viva’s styling is best described as neat, but derivative. Cover up those Vauxhall Griffins and we think you’d be hard pressed to tell it apart from rivals such as the Hyundai i10. In fact, the most interesting part of the Viva’s design is the split beltline, around the rear door handles.
• Inside, considering its small size, there’s enough room for two six-foot adults because of the Viva’s tall shape. There’s plenty of space in the front too and although the seats are comfortable and reasonably supportive, tall drivers will miss reach adjustment for the steering column.
• The 208 litre boot will be big enough and practical enough for everyday use, but it’s smaller than some class rivals. Good thing then, that the rear seat is the split/fold variety.
• Some of the plastics feel shiny and hard, but the baby Vauxhall feels well screwed together. There’s also an attractive modern feel to the Viva’s interior – the glossy piano black trim really helps to lift the look of the centre console.