Overview

It may not seem like the most obvious VXR model, but Vauxhall believes that the world needs a high performance Meriva. The usually sedate small people carrier doesn’t have the most athletic of shapes, but the sporty styling does its best to turn it into something resembling a hot hatch with side skirts, larger bumpers and 17-inch alloy wheels. It has the same spacious and flexible, five-seat interior as the rest of the Meriva range, but adds a turbocharged engine and sports suspension.

It actually handles surprisingly well with body roll well controlled, but the rather vague steering does it few favours. It was discontinued in 2009 and few were sold making it something of a rarity.