Vauxhall Meriva reviews

I have only recently aquirred this vehicle so my comments may change over the coming months but to date i have only good things to say about this vehicle and the level of service from my local Vauxhall dealer

I want a new car, only because my current car is costing more to run each year due to it's age. I bought it new, as I will do with my next car. I love the style and layout. I especially love the seating flexibility. It's a bit of tardis really. The only thing that's stopping me is that I can't make up my mind on a like for like replacement.

This model, with its new rear door arrangement, is ideal for people with mobility problems and it has useful handles on the central door struts to provide easier access. The loading capacity can be varied and is large when all rear seats are down. The side movement of the two main rear seats is very useful in providing comfort "and more room" when only one or two seat are required in the back. Very efficient running car.

Great car , gets from a to b with no fuss, last three years have done a two week holiday in Dorset which is a 600 mile round trip with a trailer tent. Gets there and back with all the gear effortlessly. Returning around 50 mpg normal running .

Bought to replace identical previous model, so very satisfied. Acceleration pick-up OK. Good presence on the road. Comfortable back seat for elderly. Plenty of leg & head room & flexible space to transport all manner of DIY goods. Narrow enough to fit in garage. Serviced from dealer & has been very reliable. Reasonable running & insurance costs.

Only had the car about 2 months, so can't comment on reliability. It's very comfortable and easy to drive, and it's power is excellent, especially compared with the 1.3 version I used to have. Economy is good at over 40mpg, though this is far less than Vauxhall claim! Very easy to change seat configuration. Annoyances include large gap between sun visors, and no pull-out tab to cover that, indicators that sometimes cancel unexpectedly, and sometimes don't cancel at all, no spare wheel (the emergency inflation kit is useless for anything other than a small puncture - a blow-out and you're stranded. No in-car bluetooth system for a phone fitted as standard.

I have had many Vauxhalls over the years and this is the one that I like least. It is nowhere near as good as the Mk1 Zafira which I had previously. The main problems are 1. The electronic parking brake is, at best, annoying and at worst dangerous - several times it has failed to hold the car on a very slight slope and is very annoying in a line of stop - go traffic. The old hand brake was far more reliable and easier to use. 2. The seats are very like the old vinyl type - cold in winter and warm in summer (this may only apply to the SE, which is a fairly high spec model) 3. The owners manual is poor, it does not distinguish between the various trim levels so it is difficult to know which features are fitted. 4. No proper, full size spare wheel. I know this applies to many cars but it should be included on car costing nearly £20,000. I have used my spare wheel in the past in circumstances where an inflation kit would not work. 5. Poor rearward visibility. I could go on but I think the message is fairly clear! Sorry to be so negative

The Meriva is very suitable for us, particularly in entering and leaving the vehicle. The all round vision helps us considerably. Fuel economy is good and passenger safety is excellent. We are very confident in transporting our grand-children and the reverse opening rear doors are especially useful.

This is my first Meriva and fortunately it has the more powerful 1.4Turbo engine. It has the power of a 1.6 but is less to tax and insure. A very comfortable drive and practical seating layout. Versatile as a family car but with the roominess and carry space of a decent estate car. When it's time to change, I'll get another.

Car is easy to drive and handles well in most circumstances. Only drawback is loss of power in 5th and even 4th gear on up-gradients. ability to fold rear seats to give a fairly large boot space is an added boon.

At the seat height and distance from steering wheel that works best for me, visibility is very poor when approaching roundabouts and making right turns owing to the very bulky door / windscreen pillars blocking the view. Otherwise, it's a very useful vehicle and fairly economical. It is a good height for my somewhat disabled parent to easily get into the front seat and the boot area accommodates a collapsible wheelchair very well. I do find that putting the back seats down is a bit of a faff but the fully flat surface is helpful for bigger loads (and pets). Engine-wise, I wish I had gone for the larger one as 1400cc isn't always enough oomph. Acceleration is not very punchy. However, it does get up to a good speed and hold well on motorway driving.

This car replaced a Ford Focus and is proving just as easy to drive while being more economic. My only reservation is the boot size which is smaller and less easy to use. Roomy inside - can get three grandchildren in the back comfortably with their child seats. Smaller engine noticeable on longer journeys where lack of power sometimes an issue. Local journeys no problem.

I have had the car for 2yrs. I bought it when the grandchildren were born because my other car, Vauxhall Agila, was not big enough to put car seats in or a pram. The Meriva is very comfortable to drive and I have not had any problems with it. The only reason I marked running costs down is because the Agila was diesel and I got more mpg from it and the car tax was only £35 a year I have also owned a Zafira and would recommend both cars

An excellent car for all m purposes - high seat gives excellent visibility of road and environs. 1.6 engine provides high mpg at 70 mph on motorways and economy in town, quick acceleration when needed, well spaced gear ratios allow smooth changes and low rev cruising economy. The boot and 'back-seat-folddown' give enormous 'bootspace' like a van. With all seats in place she carries 5 adults comfortably or 4 adults well spaced , all on very comfortable seats. She corners at quick speeds firmly, holding the road safely. Power steering is a breeze. A delight to drive in all conditions. Vauxhall should promote the model much moor and would then sell many more. The motor critics nonsense about high cars having stability problems is rubbish in this case. When other drivers are my passengers they always remark on the comfort, quietness, steadiness in corners etc etc. - never complaining about the car at all. I love this one and its predecessor Meriva. Bargain price too. 70,000 miles on the clock now and still economical on fuel - if a bit low on the green issues and high on RFL - worth every penny of that.

a good car too run

My Meriva is a great little work horse moving people easily it takes up to two baby seats and a booster cushion. It will take washing machines, double beds. Me and the dog on holiday. Its more than ok to drive its not quick but has good manoeuvrability. Its ok to drive in town and good on motorways. Petrol consumption is average and compared to more recent cars quite poor. I like this car but the new Meriva is very clumpy as are most of the new models no matter what make.

I bought the car as a smaller more economical car and it has proved to be so both in fuel and insurance. It is small but comfortable and has proved to be a good multi-purpose vehicle during my recent house move. I particularly enjoy the added height I now have compared to my old saloon car.

This is my third Meriva. It is very reliable and has good carrying capacity.

At the age of 79, I appreciate the raised seats. I will only get a fresh car with raised seats.

Coming up to our first MOT. Have covered 30000 miles in all conditions, with not one fault. A spacious, roomy and practical car, with more than the expected performance available, thanks to the turbo-charged engine; average a shade under 50mpg so far. Seats reasonably comfortable with rear seating easily re-configured. Have been very pleasantly so far with this underrated car.