Review of the Vauxhall Movano

The Vauxhall Movano is a large van that's perfect for businesses needing cargo space and high payloads. As well as being practical, the Movano has a comfortable interior and loads of safety technology to ensure it serves you and your business well. 

Rivals to the Movano include the Ford Transit, Volkswagen Crafter, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and Peugeot Boxer. 

Our Vauxhall Movano review covers:

• Imposing road presence 
• Practical interior 
• Up to 17m3 of load volume 
• 2.2-litre diesel engine 
• One trim available 

Pros:

• Simple and comfortable interior 
• Good load volume and payload 
• More affordable than rivals 

Cons:

• Interior not as premium as rivals 
• Small touchscreen 
• Poor rear visibility 

The third-generation Movano arrived in 2021, and compared to its predecessor, it follows a pretty similar design. It has the same imposing road presence as it has always had, and the only difference is a set of new sleek headlights. 

Climb inside the Movano and there's enough room for three people. The driver gets his own seat that comes with six-way lumbar adjustment, while the two front passengers share a bench. All in all, it does feel a bit cramped, but it should still serve you and your team well.  

One advantage is the amount of storage that's inside the Movano. There's simply loads; you'll find large door pockets, deep compartments in front of the passengers, a massive glove box that's big enough to swallow your tools, and overhead storage.  

Open the rear doors of the Movano, and you'll get up to 17m3 of load space and a payload of up to 2,100kg. This is much better than the Ford Transit's 15m3 and is exactly the same as the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. You'll be able to load items up to 4,384mm long and 1,765mm wide, and you'll also be able to tow items up to 3,00kg. 

Get behind the wheel of the Movano and you'll find a simple and practical cabin. The dashboard is well-built and made of durable black plastic, and everything is straightforward to use when on the road. It's not as advanced as the Ford Transit or Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, but it's certainly fit for purpose. 

The dash of the Movano is slightly old school. You get a five-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a DAB radio, Bluetooth, USB connection, and sat-nav. Although it is a touchscreen, the screen is on the small side, but thankfully, the buttons and dials are easy to use. 

Just one trim level is available for the Movano, Prime. 

It has 15/16-inch steel wheels (depending on model), daytime running lights, air conditioning, a six-way driver's seat with lumbar adjustment, a dual passenger's bench seat, a five-inch colour touchscreen with sat-nav, rear parking distance sensors, electronic cruise control, hill start assist, and a full-height steel bulkhead. 

Under the bonnet is a 4-cylinder, 2.2-litre diesel engine that's available with three power outputs: 120PS, 140PS, and 165PS. All engines are paired with a six-speed manual gearbox and are available with front-wheel drive. 

Regardless of your chosen power output, the engine is superb to use. It makes you feel like you're driving a small or medium-sized van, and given the Movano's size, this is fantastic. Also, even if you've got a full load, there's still enough power to get you off the line relatively quickly.

Get on the road in the Movano and you'll be pleasantly surprised by its drive dynamics. The handling is responsive and accurate, and thanks to the rear distance parking sensors, it's relatively easy to navigate urban streets. The suspension is also good, even with little cargo in the rear. 

Our only criticism when driving around town is that the visibility is a bit restricted. The A-pillars can get in your way sometimes, which is frustrating. 

Increase to motorway speeds, and the Movano maintains its composure. The engine easily gets to 70mph, and once you're there, the electronic cruise control makes long-distance journeys a breeze. 

Prices for the new Vauxhall Movano start from £27,500.00 OTR* or to lease from £311.14 per month.

Looking to get behind the wheel of the Vauxhall Movano? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest van leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.

Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.

*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.