2006 (06 Plate) Vauxhall Meriva 17 Cdti (Diesel) Design 5 Door/mpv Review
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By ANDY ENRIGHT
Introduction
Vauxhall has had to put up with a fair degree of mud slinging down the years, virtually of which suggested that under Full general Motors, the visitor had go and then bureaucratic that it could no longer reply to rapidly irresolute markets in an adequately timely fashion. In more than recent years, that line of argument has begun to look increasingly shaky, thanks to the introduction of a whole range of niche-orientated more than versatile vehicles. First the Zafira mini-MPV offered the cleverest seating organisation known to man and then the Meriva supermini-MPV arrived to offer much of this utility in an even smaller package. With these ii models on board, Vauxhall's more conventional passenger cars were able to go sleeker and more stylish - two attributes that had rarely been levelled at Astras and Corsas. Everyone was a winner. But why buy something conventional when y'all could have something really rather clever? Something like a used Vauxhall Meriva for instance. With examples now commencement to appear on the market in meaningful numbers, a nearly new model offers all the engineering science at a fraction of the price.
Models
Models Covered:
(5dr supermini-MPV 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 petrol, ane.seven DTi diesel fuel, i.7 CDTi diesel [Expression, Life, Enjoy, Blueprint])
History
There's a lot more to the Meriva than meets the eye. Many expected a sort of inflated Vauxhall Corsa but despite being broadly Corsa-based, the Meriva seems more the sum of its parts. Introduced in May 2003, the car was an instant success, if not revolutionising the market place in quite the aforementioned style equally its Zafira big brother. Instead it capitalised on the perceived weakness of Ford's offering in this sector, the Fusion, and arrived at a time when Renault had no model to speak of (the Modus only residing on a designer's CAD station at the fourth dimension). Peugeot could only offer the half-baked 206SW, MG Rover drew a blank and Fiat'due south Idea was notwithstanding forming in the Italian manufacturer'due south mind. In short, the Meriva had a about unchallenged run of it at first. Four engines were offered, 8v and 16v 1.half-dozen-litre units and a 1.8-litre petrol powerplant and the choice of the crop, the 1.7-litre CDTi diesel. Four trim levels were offered - the rather cheesily titled Expression, Life, Enjoy and Design.
An early 2006 facelift which amounted to reprofiled bumpers, a V-shaped Vauxhall grille, dark lenses for the rear low-cal clusters and a chrome bar running across the tailgate also yielded 2 new engines. A 1.half dozen-litre Twinport petrol unit and a 1.three-litre CDTi were introduced to bolster the range. Presently afterwards, the high-performance VXR model arrived with a 180bhp one.6-litre turbo engine.
What You lot Get
Every bit with any vehicle that touts itself every bit some sort of MPV, the Meriva stands or falls on more practical considerations such as interior infinite, the ingenuity of its seating system, passenger access and overall comfort. Information technology's here that the Meriva comes up trumps. Just equally Vauxhall aced the opposition with the Zafira'due south Flex7 seating arrangement, the Meriva aims to exercise likewise with its less snappily titled FlexSpace organisation. With five seats to play with, the Meriva doesn't have as many tricks upwardly its sleeve every bit the Zafira, but you'll still be able to wow your passengers with a few deft flicks of the wrist.
Most of the time, the Meriva functions as a conventional five seat supermini-MPV, but many of us have tried travelling five upward in cars like these and information technology tin feel a flake of a pinch. The Meriva goes some way to alleviating the problem by offering one of the widest rear passenger shoulder width measurements in its grade, but the real benefit comes when travelling with 4 rather than five aboard. The centre seat tin fold apartment into the footwell, leaving the two remaining seats at liberty to slide independently, not only backwards and frontwards, just also on runners from side to side. This makes the Meriva feel extremely spacious indeed. But why stop at four? Vauxhall have equipped the Meriva with the capacity for all of the passenger seats to fold flat, freeing upward an enormous 1,300 litres of available space. Even with the rear seats in position, there'due south a creditable 560 litres available.
The innovations don't finish there. Twin Audio is a offset for a motorcar of the Meriva's class, allowing rear passengers to mind to radio and CD independently from the forepart passengers using headphones. Other convenience features include front seat backs with airline-fashion fold-down tray tables, seat back internet storage, a removable travel box with arm residuum and cup holders for rear seat passengers and, most usefully of all, a tray beneath the boot floor in which to hide valuables.
The interior is a welcome surprise too, Vauxhall eschewing the easy pick of only planting the Corsa dashboard into the Meriva, instead opting for a Vectra-style fascia which gives the little Meriva a quality experience. Indeed, ahead of its launch, the British Constitute of Vehicle Engineers bestowed the MPV Pattern Award upon the Meriva, praising its 'well-baked exterior styling'. Twin electrically operated sunroofs add an airy feel to the interior, only information technology'due south the attention to particular that is especially impressive. The fuel filler cap houses a small tool for the tyre valve caps that equals clean hands and easy access when checking pressures.
What You Pay
Delight contact us for an verbal up-to-date valuation.
What to Look For
The Meriva hasn't been around for too long and few issues accept surfaced. Given that the mechanicals are largely Corsa sourced it'due south unlikely that many will either. As with any car that is used to transport families around, check for harm wreaked by youngsters, including broken fittings, rips or stains on the upholstery and scratched plastics. Also ensure that all of the seats fold abroad smoothly, every bit information technology's easy for dropped items of food or small-scale toys to jam the runners. Otherwise bank check for the service record and look forward to buying a very capable motorcar.
Replacement Parts
(Based on a ane.6-litre 8v Life) Nothing besides scary hither. A new clutch will cost you lot about £110 and a full exhaust system around £350. An alternator is about £125 and a starter motor around £100. A radiator is most £115 and a replacement windscreen close to £145. A tail lamp is about £65 and a headlamp about £xc.
On the Road
Most buyers volition opt for one of the 1.6-litre models. Whereas the 8-valve models will return a creditable average of 36.2mpg, the multivalve model eclipses it by eking 37.6mpg out of every gallon of 95RON unleaded. Although the Meriva will primarily be purchased by individual, family oriented customers, any business concern users would also be attracted to the fact that the sixteen-valve car emits less carbon dioxide (179 vs 187g/km), thus lopping a pregnant two per cent from its do good in kind taxation and making it a far cheaper choice to run.
The 200 cubic centimetres that the Meriva's 1.8 holds over the lesser ane.six-litre units in terms of engine chapters don't transform the machine into a burn down-breathing monster but with a 10.9-2d time for the 0-60mph sprint compared to 14s in the entry level 16-litre 8-valve, they practise help it pick up its heels a chip. If you get for the 1.6-litre with sixteen-valves, 0-60mph takes 12.nine seconds while the 1.7-litre CDTi can exercise the same in 13.4s, so the i.8 is comfortably the most rapid Meriva on the market, bar none. With 125bhp on tap information technology can also reach a elevation speed of 118mph where conditions permit and the engine produces decent torque for in-gear exploits, even though it's not as flexible every bit the gutsy CDTi diesels. The Meriva inherits a good chassis from its Corsa sister vehicle and it copes with the ability of the 1.8-litre unit well. It is a motorcar that you lot can have fun driving but don't wait miracles. Information technology's yet ostensibly a high-sided MPV.
Overall
Vauxhall defenseless the rest of the market on the hop with the Meriva, and every bit such information technology'due south now effectually in such numbers on the used market that it'due south easier to land your pick of engine, colour and trim. We'd opt either for an early 1.6-litre 16v model or a subsequently 1.7-litre CDTi diesel. Whichever model you cull, you can balance assured that you've bought one of the all-time cars in the grade.
Source: https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/car-reviews/vauxhall/meriva/meriva-2003-2010/