New design Vauxhall Meriva

The new Vauxhall Meriva is due on sale this summer and the new design features rear openings that have their hinges at the back to make getting out and in so much easier.

Vauxhall have widened the colour palette for exterior paint finishes and have also unveiled some interesting alloy wheel designs for the latest Vauxhall Meriva. The interior has had a mild makeover too with additional chrome detailing lifting the rather sombre cabin. Revised fabrics are both more attractive and harder wearing.

Four petrol engines are offered along with a pair of CDTi oil-burners. The first diesel engine and the one likely to prove most popular is the Vauxhall Meriva1.3-litre CDTi, already found in the Vauxhall Corsa and the Vauxhall Tigra.

The Vauxhall Meriva is capable of 57mpg on the combined cycle. On a longer run it will nudge closer to 66mpg. Even in stop start city traffic, the figure will rarely dip much below 42mpg. Vauxhall state that when compared to a petrol version, a motorist covering 12,000 miles a year will save around £420 if they opt for the Vauxhall Meriva CDTi diesel car.

Prices start at approximately £10,000 so the Vauxhall Meriva should be considered if looking for a people carrier with economy a clear winner.

By Geraldine Ashton Green, motoring.co.uk

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