The Vauxhall Meriva was first released in 2003 as a top competitor against several small MPVs. The second generation model was released in 2008 at the Geneva Motor Show. This time around, the new Merica sports well-proportioned column inches on its flexdoors and rearward-opening rear doors. But even with such generous expansions, how will the latest Meriva fare against the C3 Picasso, Renault Modus, or the Nissan Note?

Pros

The latest Meriva sports a heavier and larger body. It’s 4.3m length makes it 30cm longer than the previous model. The increase is a given, considering that Vauxhall aims to sell most models to the upmarket. It successfully starts out as such with the 1465kg weight making it inline with family cars and the larger, more practical models. The exterior design complements the interior, with the waistline wave assuring rear passengers of more space. Overall the Meriva boasts of a sophisticated look that’s much classier than its previous life.

The wide door area makes it easy to access rear seats, which are also designed to offer better access for child seat installation from outside. The driver also enjoys a comfortable position that’s higher than the usual hatch angle. The dashboard is conveniently spread out before the driver. Themes from the Astra and Insignia dashboard are derived in the Meriva’s. But this vehicle improves on its origins, as the Astra shows how Vauxhall has been able master a classier feel and better tolerances to its buttons. Overall the interior design is more mature, with soft plastics distributed as its main material.

Cons

The latest Meriva sports 118bhp for its 1.4-litre petrol engine, which is capable enough but can lack performance for higher mileage. The 1.3-litre diesel comes at a lower price but may not be worth the cut as it struggles with an entire family in the vehicle. You could opt for the 1.7-litre variation but the steep price will make you reconsider its practicality in the long run.

All engines offer a smooth ride, but aren’t completely silent even on motorway speeds. Road noise and wind noise are heard while going on smoother surfaces. Compared to other family car competitors, the Meriva comes out as one of the noisiest.

The ride is ultimately more comfortable, but the steering can be a problem. At low speeds it tends to get heavy. Feedback isn’t as direct and accurate once you start accelerating. Body roll is reasonable enough but grip tends to exaggerate.

There’s a slight inconvenience if a driver and rear passenger decide to exit together. The conventional door aligns to the seat that it slides into, which makes the chid seat installation a compromise. The space is too tight for exit on the same side, so they have to wait for one another due to the trap set up by the tight area.

When running through braking tests, the Meriva passed at less than 50 metres for the dry and wet areas. But it could still use some improvement on the brake pedal, which requires more modulation so the vehicle runs smoothly on lower speeds.  

                Vauxhall Meriva is a name used for a compact or mini multi purpose vehicle (MPV) sold in the automobile market in the United Kingdom. This was created by Opel, the German manufacturer of automobiles, which was first produced in the year 2002.  For the South American market, this was sold as Chevrolet Meriva, and for other markets, this is called the Opel Meriva.

                This compact or mini MPV was produced in 2002 until 2010 as Meriva A. This was created as a five door multi purpose vehicle that is available in several transmissions including a five speed manual, six speed manual, and five speed automatic. This version was assembled in Zaragoza, Spain and in Säo Caetano do Sul, Brazil. This received a facelift in the year 2006 for its rear ends and engines, and by 2010, the Meriva B was produced.

                The second generation Vauxhall Meriva was a compact MPV or monocab that has the same body style as the first generation. This is assembled in Zaragoza, Spain and it was designed by Niels Loeb for Opel. The Meriva B was displayed at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010 and was produced by June of that year. This was known as the first multi purpose vehicle to have the FlexDoors or the rear-hinged rear doors.