Vauxhall Meriva - compact MPV thats easy to park and manoeuvre around town
looking for a hatch or compact MPV thats easy to park and manoeuvre around town, thats big enough for kids, dogs and everything life can throw your way - but at the same time cheap to run and insure?
Vauxhalls new 2006 meriva could be the vehicle for you - stylish, compact, spacious and according to Vauxhall, always fun!
The jewel in the crown has to be the flexspace seating system. The meriva flexspace system is all about finding easy ways to accommodate all your family/transport needs. Comprising seats that backwards, forwards, sideways with a 40/20/40 split. the outward seats can also be tilted for greater versatility. There is also a fold flat front passenger seat available as an optiona;l extra.
Another plus point is the high seating position so favoured by 4×4 drivers and those more used to larger SUV’s, however the Meriva is small enough not to be imposing or threatening to other drivers while retaining a commanding driving position.
AFL - vauxhalls innovative adaptive forward lighting system allows you to see around corners! Well almost, the headlight beams move up to 15 degrees of the straight ahead position depending on steering wheel position.
Safety - meriva has a host of available safety equipment, although not all are standard fit on some models unfortunately.
- dynamic safety suspension
- Anti lock braking system
- Electronic brakeforce distribution
- Emergency brake assist
- Electronic stability program
- traction control
Available in a range of petrol and diesel engines and with a choice of transmissions, a 5 speed gearbox or vauxhalls new easytronic transmission system ( basically this is an automatic box with manual modes, similar to geartronic, steptronic, multitronic etc ).
The meriva range is very flexible in terms of trim and options, as no two families are alike. There are 4 trim levels, five power units (engines) and a massive array of options and accessories to choose from.
The main models are Life, expression, Club, Design and VXR. Truly a configuation to suit almost anyone.
Vauxhall meriva reviews and road tests “There’s more headroom than you’ll ever have cause to need - unless you have a penchant for top hats or Marge Simpson haircuts ” Channel 4, “The kids will like the better view, and the extra few inches provide valuable forward visibility, which, together with the extremely flexible engine, makes the Meriva safe and easy to drive around town. And it is also more compact than full-sized MPVs, and has a tight turning circle, so close-encounter manoeuvring is made less irksome, particularly in tightly packed multi-storey car parks. ” newcarnet, “The Corsa-based Meriva does everything well. Its FlexSpace seating offers excellent flexibility for rear passengers or loads, beating bigger midi-MPVs like Scenic and Picasso. It’s economical but not particularly cheap.” wisebuyers guides.