Error parsing XSLT file: \xslt\FacebookOpenGraph.xslt Vauxhall Movano: Test Drive Review
Cookies on Businesscar

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Car website. However, if you would like to, you can change your cookies at any time

BusinessCar magazine website email Awards mobile

The start point for the best source of fleet information

Vauxhall Movano: Test Drive Review

Date: 06 May 2010   |   Author: Steve Banner

Category: Large Van
P11D price: £23,180
Key rival: Ford Transit

Vauxhall is dramatically expanding its presence at the heavyweight end of the panel van market with the arrival of the latest Movano.

With new engines and grossing at from 2.8 to an unprecedented 4.5 tonnes, like Ford's all-conquering Transit it is available with either front- or rear-wheel drive. Its predecessor was front-drive only.

As with the old Movano, the new one is a re-badged Renault Master, albeit it with a different grille.

The van is on offer with the choice of three wheelbases, four lengths (L1, L2, L3 and L4) and three heights (H1, H2 and H3). Load cubes extend from 8.0cu/m to 14.8cu/m for front-drive models while rear-driving models go from 12.4cu/m to 17.0cu/m.

Payload capabilities extend from 994kg to 2254kg and maximum towing capacity is either 2.5 tonnes or 3.0 tonnes depending on the model chosen.

Only one engine is offered - a 2.3-litre Euro-4 diesel at 100PS, 125PS or 150PS, and a six-speed gearbox is standard with a Tecshift automated manual box offered as a cost option. ABS is fitted to everything, but ESP anti-skid control is standard solely on rear-wheel drive variants. It should really be standard across the range.

We took to the highway in a 125PS L3 H2 3.5-tonner with an 800kg load in the back. It pulled strongly all the way through the rev range and handled well, with ample feedback through the steering. Engine, wind and road noise were all well-suppressed and a smooth, user-friendly gear change enabled us to get the best out of the engine with minimal fuss.

On the downside the ride could have been smoother, with the suspension at times finding it difficult to cope with Britain's pock-marked road surfaces.

While the quality of the plastic used could stand improving, there's no denying that the cab's interior has one major plus-point - a phenomenal amount of storage space for all the stuff drivers need to carry around with them.

Our test van came with a £465 office pack - all prices quoted here exclude VAT - which includes Bluetooth connectivity and a retractable dashboard-mounted document holder. As part of the deal you can flip down the centre of the backrest of the cab's middle seat and turn it into a handy swivelling desk.

Twin side-hinged rear doors come as standard. Ours were glazed and could be pushed through 270 degrees and folded against the van's sides for an extra £375.

A nearside sliding cargo door comes as standard, but our demonstrator was additionally equipped with an offside sliding door for a further £300.

The Movano is also being produced as a double cab, a chassis cab, a chassis double cab and a platform cab, and dropsides, tippers, box vans and minibuses will all be available from the factory. The range will gradually unfold in the coming months.

Vauxhall Movano L3 H2 2.3-litre CDTI 125 FWD
Price (ex VAT)£23,810
Model price range (ex VAT) £21,660-£29,135
Service interval 25,000 miles
Insurance group 18E
Warranty 3yrs/100,000 miles
Load length 3733mm
Load width (min/max) 1380mm/1765mm
Load bay height 1894mm
Loading height 557mm
Gross payload 1530kg
Load cube 13.0cu m
Engine size/power 2298/125PS
On sale now
CO2 215g/km
Economy (combined cycle) 34.9mpg



Share


Subscribe