Vauxhall Meriva (10 on) - Review

The first Meriva was a budget value small family car but was found wanting in many areas, not least quality and refinement. This model is a huge leap forward in both those fields but retains the family-friendly practicality and versatility of the previous model. It’s considerably larger than before, but the big talking point is the rear-hinged side doors that are a genuinely useful feature and make getting into the back seats or fitting a child seat much easier than with conventional doors. On the move the Meriva is easy to drive, helped by light steering and excellent visibility, so it’s ideal in towns and cities. The interior is impressive too, with an easy-to-use layout and good quality materials borrowed from the Astra and Insignia.