Vauxhall Meriva

Which Vauxhall Meriva Version Should You Buy?

The Vauxhall Meriva version to choose depends on whether you prioritise performance, fuel economy or an Automatic gearbox. Across the supplied catalogue, this FWD Compact Van appears in first-generation form from 2003–2006, as a first-generation restyling from 2006–2010, as the second generation from 2010–2014 and as its restyling from 2014–2018.

The Vauxhall Meriva version to choose depends on whether you prioritise performance, fuel economy or an Automatic gearbox. Across the supplied catalogue, this FWD Compact Van appears in first-generation form from 2003–2006, as a first-generation restyling from 2006–2010, as the second generation from 2010–2014 and as its restyling from 2014–2018. The quickest listed model is the first-generation 1.6 MT with 180 hp, while the lowest measured combined consumption belongs to the restyled second-generation 1.6 MT diesel with 110 hp. Buyers wanting an Automatic can choose selected 1.7 AT diesels or the restyled second-generation 1.4 AT gasoline version.

Vauxhall Meriva generations: what changed?

The first-generation Vauxhall Meriva was offered from 2003 to 2006 as a Compact Van with 10 listed versions. Its broad engine selection stretches from the 70 hp 1.3 MT diesel to the 180 hp 1.6 MT turbocharged gasoline model. All versions use FWD; the catalogue records Manual gearboxes throughout this period.

The first-generation restyling ran from 2006 to 2010, retaining the Compact Van body and 10 listed versions. The supplied specification set is closely related to that of the earlier period: engines again range from 70 hp to 180 hp, and every listed version combines FWD with a Manual gearbox. This period therefore gives buyers a later production window without requiring a different basic powertrain choice.

The second-generation Vauxhall Meriva ran from 2010 to 2014 as a Compact Van with 9 listed versions. Compared with the first generation, its key catalogue-level change is the arrival of Automatic choices: the 1.7 AT is listed with 101 hp and 130 hp. Manual choices include 1.3 MT diesels with 75 hp or 95 hp, 1.7 MT diesels with 110 hp or 130 hp, and 1.4 MT gasoline engines with 100 hp, 120 hp or 140 hp.

The restyled second generation covers 2014–2018 and contains 10 listed versions. It adds 1.6 MT diesels with 110 hp or 136 hp, retains 1.7 AT diesel alternatives, and offers 1.4-litre gasoline and LPG choices. It is also the only period here with a 1.4 AT gasoline version. Because the original and restyled second-generation date ranges overlap in 2014, specifications should be matched to the exact version rather than the year alone.

Vauxhall Meriva engine specs

Repeated version names are distinguished below by power, fuel and production period.

The strongest specific output belongs to the 180 hp 1.6 MT at approximately 112.6 hp per litre. In the restyled second generation, the 136 hp 1.6 MT diesel produces approximately 85.1 hp per litre, compared with approximately 68.8 hp per litre for the 110 hp version. The 140 hp 1.4-litre turbo gasoline engines deliver approximately 102.6 hp per litre, while the naturally aspirated 100 hp 1.4 MT delivers approximately 71.5 hp per litre.

Vauxhall Meriva performance and fuel economy

For outright performance, the 180 hp 1.6 MT is the clear choice: it reaches 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds and has a top speed of 222 km/h. Its measured consumption is 10.4 l/100 km in the city, 6.3 l/100 km on the highway and 7.8 l/100 km combined.

The quickest second-generation choices are the 130 hp 1.7 MT diesel and the restyled 136 hp 1.6 MT diesel, both reaching 100 km/h in 9.9 seconds. The 1.7 MT has a 196 km/h top speed and consumes 6.5/4.5/5.3 l/100 km city/highway/combined. The later 1.6 MT reaches 197 km/h and records 4.8/4.2/4.4 l/100 km. It therefore has 6 hp and 20 Nm more, a top speed higher by 1 km/h, and combined consumption lower by 0.9 l/100 km.

The economy leader is the restyled 110 hp 1.6 MT diesel, at 4.5 l/100 km city, 3.7 l/100 km highway and 4.0 l/100 km combined. It reaches 100 km/h in 12.5 seconds and 185 km/h. The 95 hp 1.3 MT is close at 4.1 l/100 km combined, but it takes 13.8 seconds to reach 100 km/h and tops out at 168 km/h. Choosing the 1.6 MT therefore adds 15 hp and 120 Nm while reducing combined consumption by 0.1 l/100 km.

Among restyled second-generation gasoline versions, the 140 hp 1.4 MT reaches 100 km/h in 10.3 seconds and 196 km/h while consuming 6.3 l/100 km combined. The 140 hp 1.4 AT takes 11.9 seconds, reaches 185 km/h and consumes 7.2 l/100 km combined. The Automatic costs 1.6 seconds in acceleration, 11 km/h in top speed and 0.9 l/100 km in combined consumption according to these figures.

For the 125 hp 1.7 MT diesel in either first-generation period, city, highway and combined consumption are not measured. Its acceleration and top speed are measured at 11.6 seconds and 195 km/h.

Vauxhall Meriva dimensions, weight and tyre sizes

External length, width and height are not measured anywhere in the supplied data, so a verified Vauxhall Meriva dimensions comparison cannot be made from this catalogue. Kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance, tank capacity and selected wheel sizes are available.

First-generation kerb weights range from 1260 kg to 1455 kg in the 2006–2010 data and from 1275 kg to 1455 kg in the 2003–2006 data. The 180 hp 1.6 MT weighs 1380 kg, equivalent to approximately 7.7 kg per hp. The 125 hp 1.8 MT also weighs 1380 kg, or approximately 11.0 kg per hp. Gross weight for both 180 hp versions is not measured; ground clearance is 140 mm and tank capacity is 53 litres.

For the 2010–2014 second generation, recorded kerb weight runs from 1330 kg to 1437 kg. The 130 hp 1.7 AT weighs 1430 kg, or 11.0 kg per hp, whereas the 130 hp 1.7 MT weighs 1360 kg, or approximately 10.5 kg per hp. Gross weight for the Automatic is 2035 kg; gross weight for the Manual is not measured. Ground clearance is 150 mm and the fuel tank holds 53 litres.

In the restyled second generation, measured kerb weights run from 1286 kg to 1430 kg, while recorded gross weights run from 1785 kg to 2035 kg. Ground clearance is either 140 mm or 150 mm depending on the version, and tank capacity is 54 litres. The listed wheel sizes are 195/65 R15 and 205/55 R16 on the 100 hp 1.4 MT, 120 hp gasoline 1.4 MT, 120 hp LPG 1.4 MT and 140 hp 1.4 AT. Wheel sizes for the other versions are not measured.

Which Vauxhall Meriva version should you choose?

Choose the restyled second-generation 1.6 MT with 110 hp if measured economy is the priority. Its 4.0 l/100 km combined figure is the lowest in the supplied data, yet its 300 Nm exceeds the 180 Nm of the 95 hp 1.3 MT by 120 Nm.

Choose the restyled second-generation 1.6 MT with 136 hp for the strongest balance of diesel performance and consumption. It reaches 100 km/h in 9.9 seconds, produces 320 Nm and consumes 4.4 l/100 km combined. Compared with the 110 hp version, it adds 26 hp and 20 Nm, cuts the acceleration time by 2.6 seconds and raises top speed by 12 km/h, while using 0.4 l/100 km more combined.

Choose the 2014–2018 1.4 MT with 140 hp if you want the quicker gasoline option without an Automatic. Against the 140 hp 1.4 AT, it delivers the same 200 Nm but accelerates faster, reaches a higher top speed and uses less fuel in every measured cycle.

Choose a 1.7 AT or the 1.4 AT when an Automatic gearbox is essential. The restyled 130 hp 1.7 AT offers 300 Nm, but its 12.9-second acceleration and 6.1 l/100 km combined consumption trail the restyled 136 hp 1.6 MT. The Automatic is therefore a gearbox preference rather than the numerical performance or economy leader.

Finally, choose the 180 hp 1.6 MT when acceleration and top speed matter most. Its 8.2-second sprint, 222 km/h maximum and approximately 7.7 kg-per-hp ratio lead this catalogue, although its 7.8 l/100 km combined consumption is substantially higher than that of the later diesel choices. Reliability, recalls, diagnostic codes, warning lights, OBD-port position, tyre pressure, engine-oil type and engine-oil capacity are not measured in the supplied data, so they cannot support a version recommendation here.