Opel's 'mini-MPV' has extra va-va-room

RoadTest/Opel Meriva: Families are getting smaller in numerical size, if wider in girth. That's the general impression across Europe, supported by the posse of clipboard carriers who survey everything from shoe size to breakfast cereal.

Yet car firms are finding that a significant number of motorists seek a car that challenges the fundamentals of physics, seeking something akin to Dr Who's Tardis: the size of a phonebox on the outside but with an interior on a par with a Boeing 747.

Hence the popularity of high-roofed seven-seater people carriers or MPVs, despite the fact that for most, the third row of seats are either folded away, or in some cases relegated to the garage to sit atop the broken freezer, offering a soft bed for the family cat and her litter.

So it is that Opel is pitching its "minivan" Meriva at the five-seat "mini-MPV" market, joining the likes of the Mitsubishi Spacestar, the Honda Jazz, Citroen Picasso and more recently, the Ford Fusion. While we remain unsure as to the benefits of mini-MPVs, we have to admit that from our time with the Meriva, we got to appreciate its overall aura of roominess.

It also comes from good stock. Opel's larger Zafira is king of the MPVs in Ireland in terms of sales, a consummate performer. For the young family, the desire to have the extra space is limited by the financials. So they turn to the traditional hatchback. Yet the new Meriva may prove attractive for those desiring MPV-like space. What's more, it features the new rear seat flexibility sure to enthuse all fans of puzzles and jigsaws.

Known as "Flexspace", it offers an adjustable seating system that allows you to move the rear seats, back/forward/fold into the floor/lift/tuck and shimmy if need be. A hybrid of the Flex7 system on offer in the Zafira it only takes a few minutes playing with the arrangements in the back to appreciate its potential.

The adjustments mean you can pack the kids to school, take that 6ft 7' friend to the cobblers for his size-15 shoes, pop into Woodies for three bags of cement and all without having to change cars. Its cargo carrying ability is obviously important for Opel who refer to the Meriva as a "minivan", a term some motorists may be wary to associate with their family car.

Overall space, with the seats folded down, is similar to competitors such as the Fusion and Spacestar. Further storage is available beneath the rear load platform, where there's a large, concealed tray; ideal for raincoats and wellies. While it would claim to be a five seater, the narrow middle rear seat is for the smallest in the family (the 0.4 of the 2.4-kid family).

Design is not really a dominant factor here, but its look and roomy feel make it more MPV than many of its competitors, which are merely high-roofed small hatches. It's also picked up a few awards on the way, and the British Institute of Vehicle Engineers recently crowned the Meriva with its "MPV Design Award".

Driving the car, the extra height gives a commanding view of the road, aided by the nice upright seating position. It adds to the overall feeling of being in a much larger vehicle. Comfortable to travel in, the Meriva retains the handling of a small car, with an excellent turning circle and relatively easy parking, thanks to its short nose. One problem would be the short handbrake which is difficult to reach if the armrest is down.

The choice of engines - 1.6-litre and 1.8-litre units, with two 1.7-litre common-rail diesels on the way - is at the higher end of the market, aimed at those in search of mid-range performance and not simply sluggish spaciousness.

We tested the 1.6-litre 100 bhp and found it more than capable on both motorway and rough-and-ready Irish roads. It is one of a few cars in this category that offers driver enjoyment and practicality. As for fuel consumption, the 1.6-litre offers in the region of 38 mpg. However, these figures are not as economical as many of the smaller engined competition.

The Meriva comes in three specifications: Life, Enjoy and Design, with the basic spec offering substantial equipment. The Enjoy features more useful MPV-like accessories while the Design is a more sporty package though unlikely to win much favour with the family set the Meriva is aimed at.

The price difference between Life and the other two options is €1,775, which seems steep for what are non-essential extras. Of the two, the Design spec would seem to offer more substantial extras for the money.

Our test car was bedecked as an Enjoy, and along with the extra pockets and hangers, featured plane-like fold down work tables for rear seat passengers, complete with cupholders. While there's not enough room for trolley service between destinations, there's ample storage space in the back.

Another useful optional extra is the Twin Audio system, which comprises two headphone sockets and two sets of headphones for the rear seats, with audio controls so the kids can rebel against society with Eminem, while the adults in the front poke fun at society along with Bull Island.

In line with the desire these days to reuse as much as possible, the Meriva features mechanical components shared with many others in the Opel range, including the Vectra and Corsa. The result is a high quality finish, particularly with the central console, although it also means having to put up with those annoyingly spongy indicator and wiper stalks that features in Opels these days.

Finally, to the price; starting at €19,700 the Meriva is at the upper end of the scale, though not significantly so considering the larger engines.

For the suburban family with 2.4 kids, a fondness for DIY, a tall relative, and a passion for jigsaw puzzles it may be the ideal choice.