Review
The Meriva is an easy car to understand - it's a cross between a conventional supermini and an MPV. The end result is still less useful than a full-sized people carrier, but it's a good looking, well finished product.
The exterior styling incorporates plenty of Zafira design cues, while a recent facelift has given it more of Vauxhall's new "family look". The cabin is as spacious as before, and packed with neat stowage compartments, while the rear seats fold into numerous different configurations to allow you to vary the relative amounts of legroom and luggage space.
Underneath the Meriva is based on the same set of mechanical underpinnings as the Corsa - although we reckon it drives considerably better than its supermini sibling. The chassis still feels slightly inert from behind the steering wheel, but ride quality is reasonable and refinement is good.
Buyers also get to choose between a decent range of engines. The basic 1.4 litre petrol is fine for low-intensity use, although it gets loud when worked hard. A new 1.6 litre twinport petrol engine gives decent amounts of urge, while the 1.8 litre version is positively rapid. At the top of the range the 1.6 litre turbocharged VXR is almost comically fast - but seriously expensive. The diesel versions are more likely to appeal to sensible buyers, especially the new 1.3 litre CTDi, which combines decent urge with 57 mpg economy on the combined cycle.
Entry level pricing is attractive, although more basic Merivas lack much in the way of kit. The middle and upper reaches of the range are relatively pricey, though - especially when you consider the discounts available on some "proper" MPVs from the next segment up. Dealers are willing to haggle, though - and if the price is right then this is a fine, sensible little car.