There can be little doubt that the new Vauxhall Meriva looks more stylish, more attractive and has a more modern design than the vehicle it replaces writes Bob Hickman.

I think that Vauxhall is moving forward with its image – the Insignia is brilliant, the new Astra is worth more than a second glance and now the new Meriva has arrived on the scene with innovative features that really do make it a vehicle to have a look at, especially if you are a family orientated vehicle owner.

In keeping with most manufacturers the new Meriva is larger than the vehicle it replaces, the track and wheelbase are wider and longer and this gives more interior space. If you look at the vehicle from the outside it also gives it a more squat, purposeful appeal.

The new Meriva is available in four trim levels and a choice of two diesel or three petrol engines.

The petrols are all surprisingly 1.4-litres, but do not let that put you off, the people at Vauxhall have taken the choice of dismissing the larger engines in favour of 1.4-litre either normally aspirated or turbo-charged with a range of power between 100 and 140 bhp.

All engines have a five-speed manual gearbox with the exception of the 140 bhp petrol engine, which has a six-speed box.

The diesels will be either a 1.3-litre 75 bhp, or a 1.7-litre producing 100 bhp. If you prefer an automatic then you will need to purchase a 1.7 diesel engined derivative.

Trim

The trim levels on the new Meriva are badged as Expression, S. Exclusive and SE.

It is the interior of the vehicle that will be one of the biggest selling points. It is extremely practical, there is no handbrake between the driver and passenger seats therefore more room is available for storage.

Vauxhall has equipped the vehicle with an electronic braking system, which does away with the conventional handbrake lever.

It also gives more room for the flex rail system between the seats. These rails can have a variety of storage compartments to complement the huge door pockets, and the door pockets can accommodate a 1.5-litre bottle of Coke according to Vauxhall.

To my surprise it will also accommodate a bottle of champagne.

Headroom is excellent both at the front and in the rear. The rear has flexible seating giving a huge variety of options for head and legroom.

The rear seats, can accommodate three people; the two outer seats slide forward and back thus increasing or decreasing legroom. The centre seat squab can be folded out of the way thus revealing a huge armrest giving you limousine rear style passenger comfort.

In addition the boot is huge, it has a flex board, which will enable extra luggage to be stored beneath the board and out of prying eyes. I also like the hook facility to hang a shopping bag in the boot.

Flex door system

Without doubt the biggest feature of the Meriva is the flex door system where the rear doors open opposite to the normal opening method.

Vauxhall have developed the flex door system to a very high standard.

A few years ago the doors known as “suicide doors” where the doors open straight in to the traffic were banned because they were felt to be unsafe but due to technological advances and safety features driven primarily by Rolls Royce with the Phantom, this is now an acceptable system.

The doors should not worry discerning parents or grandparents because at any speed over 2mph the doors automatically lock and there is a giveaway green or red light that tells you that the doors are secure and therefore free from the prying little fingers of Missy or Mister.

To gain access to the rear of the vehicle with these doors that open to 84 degrees really is an education – gone are the days of struggling to put the child seat in to the back and putting junior in to the seat.

In addition it is ease of access for those who are perhaps not as agile and the hips are not as fluid as they used to be. It is a real bonus and it will be a winner, I have no doubts whatsoever about that.

My test Meriva was an able companion at all times, it enabled me to lower seats completely flat and take rubbish to the tip. It enabled my grandson to travel in a degree of comfort and opulence and he loved the rear opening doors.

He also found that the rear doors on my particular version had wind down windows and I am so used to electric windows that when I suggested to him to close the window he struggled to wind it, he is only four years old after all.

Engine

The 1.4 litre petrol engine was turbo charged to produce 120 bhp, there was no discernible lag from the turbo and the power and delivery seemed to match the vehicles handling perfectly.

It proved to be a lively performer when required, the brakes and handling were above average in all conditions whether driving in town or out in the country or galloping down the motorway.

The trim levels are reasonable but if you are a devotee and like air conditioning then you will have to look to at least an Exclusive which is one specification down from the top to get it as a standard feature.

The interior will come as no surprise to those familiar with the latest generation of Vauxhall. It seems they have pinched the best bits from Insignia and Astra and again this is a compliment.

Price

Meriva prices start at £12,995 for the entry level 1.4-litre Expression and they top out at quite a hefty £21,255 for the SE specification 1.7-litre diesel.

My 1.4-litre was priced on the road at £17,365 but the very nice people at Vauxhall had decided to equip it with a hill start device, 17-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors and a satellite navigation system. This made the vehicle an eye watering £19,275 on the road.