Vauxhall Meriva MPV (2010 – ) expert review

1. Exterior

The new Vauxhall Meriva takes its design cues from siblings the Insignia and new Astra, with a more dynamic silhouette and the “blade” window-line – with its sharp curve down the side of the body – intended to allow children to see more clearly through the rear windows. The rear-hinged FlexDoors open at an angle of almost 90 degrees, improving access to the rear seats and makes the car more family-friendly. The new Meriva is 236mm longer and 118mm wider than the outgoing model which, Vauxhall claims, moves the car into Ford C-Max territory.

Our rating: 4

2. Interior

On the inside, everything feels very well-built and shows improvement over the previous model. The steering wheel is borrowed from the new Insignia, while the centre console comes from the new Astra – two very good things. The dash has been moved forwards and down to create a greater sense of spaciousness and to improve visibility, while the driving position is comfortable, even on long journeys. The traditional handbrake has been replaced with an electronic parking brake to maximise space.

Our rating: 4

3. Practicality

The five-seater’s rear-hinged FlexDoors, not only look good, they meet the desired aim of improving access to the car. The FlexSpace adjustable rear seats work seamlessly – the rear seats can be moved forward and together, transforming the car into a comfortable four-seater, with plenty of shoulder room for even the tallest of adults. The FlexRail system – a deep, central storage area stretching through the centre of the car – has been improved, and is joined by a host of in-cabin storage options, including 1.5-litre door wells. The boot can swallow 400 litres of luggage, and up to 1,500 with the seats folded.

Our rating: 5

4. Ride and handling

The new Meriva benefits from a longer wheelbase plus wider front and rear tracks, which improve the car’s ride and handling as well as crash protection. The ride is a little firm, especially for a family car, and the ride is comfortable, but the steering disappoints: it’s heavy at low speeds and fails to provide much feedback when you pick up the pace. Although there’s a reasonable amount of body roll, there’s plenty of grip. Engine noise is generally hushed – the diesel engines are a little loud at first but do become quieter as speed increases.

Our rating: 4

5. Performance

There’s a choice of two diesels and one petrol engine. The diesel range includes a 1.3-litre CDTi with 74bhp or ultra-efficient 94bhp ecoFLEX and a tried-and-tested 1.7-litre engine with 99 or 129bhp. Petrol buyers can choose the 1.4-litre engine in one of three power outputs: a non-turbocharged 99bhp or turbocharged unit with either 119 or 138bhp. We drove the latter engine which, whether on the motorway or around town, proved to be a very capable and responsive unit. It’s capable of going from 0-62mph in 10.3mph with a top speed of 122mph.

Our rating: 4

6. Running costs

The most efficient Meriva in the range is the 1.3-litre CDTi ecoFLEX model which, when mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, is capable of returning an average fuel economy of 62.8mpg and emitting 119g/km of CO2. This is not far off the Honda Jazz Hybrid, which emits 104g/km and is slightly more thirsty at 62.4mpg. But it does come with a hefty price tag and the longer gearing can feel uncomfortable. The 1.4-litre turbocharged models strike an effortless compromise between pulling power and efficiency. With 119 or 138bhp, they are capable of returning 46mpg and 42mpg respectively.

Our rating: 3

7. Reliability

The Meriva was launched in 2010 and has enjoyed a reputation as a very reliable car, even by Vauxhall’s standards. The 1.7-litre CDTi diesel engine is tried and tested, and has been around for more than a decade. Every Vauxhall bought after August 1, 2010, comes with a lifetime warranty, which covers the cost of replacement parts for the lifetime of the car, or until it reaches 100,000 miles.

Our rating: 4

8. Safety

The new Meriva received a five-star EuroNCAP safety rating, scoring 89 per cent for adult occupation when it was tested at the end of 2010. Standard safety equipment includes electronic stability programme (ESP), anti-lock brakes (ABS), front seatbelt reminders (most models also come with a reminder system for the rear seats), hill hold assist and six airbags. The rear-hinged doors can only be opened whilst the car is stationary, thanks to an automatic lock which is activated as soon as the car pulls away.

Our rating: 4

9. Equipment

There are four trim levels – Expression, S, Exclusiv and SE. Entry-level models come fitted with an electric parking brake, 15-inch steel wheels and a CD player with MP3 compatibility. Exclusiv adds air conditioning, cruise control, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, ambient lighting and the manufacturer’s FlexRail centre console system, with sliding trays and cup holders. Range-topping SE trim comes with a panoramic glass roof with electrically operated sunshade, 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, tinted glass, all-round electric windows and extra storage.

Our rating: 4

10. Why buy?

The Meriva’s flex doors may seem like a gimmick but they promptly prove their worth. Coupled with FlexSpace seating and a FlexRail storage system, Vauxhall’s rear-hinged doors help create a flexible car without sacrificing comfort, style and practicality. It’s certainly not the cheapest MPV on the market – it’s £3,000 more expensive than the Citroen C3 Picasso and is more closely priced to rivals the Ford C-MAX and Renault Scenic – but it’s packed full of an irresistible charm which looks set to cement its popularity.

Our rating: 5