Vauxhall Meriva 1.3 CDTi Exclusiv: Test Drive Review

Date: 23 December 2010   |   Author:

Category: Mini-MPV P11D price: £18,705 Key rival: Renault Scenic

Vauxhall is expanding its Meriva range, which now spreads down below the 121g/km mark for the lowest benefit-in-kind tax for a diesel.

The 1.3-litre 95hp diesel Meriva is about as dramatic as it sounds, but the 119g/km emissions and combined 62.8mpg economy figure make up for a sluggish engine, and no-one would really expect a sub-120g/km mini-MPV to be rapid. It's worth remembering too that the Meriva, despite keeping the same name, has moved up a class on its predecessor, and is now judged in size terms alongside the Citroen C4 Picasso and Renault Scenic, rather than the Nissan Note and Citroen C3 Picasso its predecessor went up against.

The rear-hinged rear doors work well, and add a unique selling point to the sector, while this new efficient version will find a place, as long as people are willing to accept the power deficiency that accompanies it.

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