Vauxhall Movano SWB test
Review: Mark Bursa
Vauxhall Movano L2H2 FWD 2.3CDTI Panel Van
What is it?
FRONT-DRIVE VERSION of Vauxhall’s new big van. The Movano range now extends right up to 4.5 tonnes with new rear-wheel drive versions, but this medium-wheelbase, medium-height 3.5-tonner is the mainstream choice.
What’s hot?
- Bold styling gives Master more distinctive face than bland old model
- Excellent build quality is up with the best in the sector
- Front-drive models have lower load floor than RWD, so loading is easy…
- …and helped by wide side doors and 270-degree opening rear doors
- Test van has excellent load capacity of 10.8cu m…
- …and very impressive 1.61-tonne payload
- …while medium roof load area is tall enough to stand in
- All-new cab has good ergonomics, with some very neat touches…
- …like the centre seat back that doubles as a swivelling laptop stand…
- …or TomTom sat-nav mounted where the rear-view mirror might be…
- …and the clipboard that folds away into the dashboard
- We liked the step built in to the front bumper…
- …it allows you to easily clean the windscreen
- We also liked non-slip load floor, and wipe-clean white interior panels
- New 2.3-litre dCi engine has 100hp and a handy 285Nm of torque
What’s not?
- There’s little to dislike about this competent newcomer
- Unladen ride was a touch bouncy, especially over potholed roads
- Radio was FM-only, so no 5Live or TalkSport!
- Why not go the whole hog and add digital wavebands?
- Little advantage in the lower-powered engine…
- …the 125bhp version of the same 2.3 diesel is equally frugal
- The same van is also available as a Renault Master – so shop around
What you need to Know
| P11D Value: | £25,431 |
| Monthly Rental: * | £389 + VAT |
| What will it be worth: ** | £n/a |
| GVW: | 3,500kg |
| Payload: | 1,610kg |
| Loadspace Volume: | 10.8cu m |
| Basic Loadspace Dimensions: | 3,083mm long x 1,765mm wide x 1,894mm high |
| Engine: | 2.3-litre turbodiesel, 6spd manual gearbox |
| CO2 Emissions: | 211g/km |
| Power/torque: | 100hp/285Nm |
| Economy: | 35.3mpg |
*Monthly contract hire rentals generated by Concept Vehicle Leasing. Based on a 36 month lease at 10,000 miles a year, 3+35 payments.
** Trade value of van if purchased after three years and 60,000 miles. (Powered by Deltapoint)
Business Van Manager Road Test Rating
The Movano – and its Renault Master cousin – are excellent vehicles in almost every respect. They represent a step up in comfort and ergonomics over their predecessors. The restyled van also has loads of road presence thanks to its bold grille and headlamps. Rear-drive versions will open up new markets, but this front-drive version is likely to be the main seller, thanks to an exceptional combination of loadspace, payload and fuel economy. We also liked the cab layout, with neat features such as the fold-away clipboard, seat-back laptop table and low-cost Carminat TomTom sat-nav system – though the FM only radio is a real downside.
Options fitted: Window for standard full-height steel bulkhead – £25; Office Pack – £465; Resin-coated plywood load floor- £175; Air conditioning with pollen filter and chilled glovebox – £600; Smoker pack – £40; Cruise Control – £200; Front fog lights – £95; Rear parking sensors – £265; Sat Nav CD player with MP3 format/Bluetooth/USB/steering wheel mounted audio controls – £340; Glazed rear doors (270 degree opening) – £375.00; Multi-function trip computer – £250; Comfort driver’s seat with adjustable armrest and lumbar adjustment – £125.
