The What Van? Road Test: Vauxhall Movano

Date: Monday, March 4, 2024

Interior and equipment

With a dated-looking dashboard with a small colour touchscreen, the three-seater cab’s interior has an old-fashioned feel to it. However that is not to say that it is short of equipment or storage space.

The screen plays host to the DAB radio as well as to the satellite navigation system as part of a standard package under the Multimedia Navi Pro Banner. Customers benefit from a three-year subscription to Tom Tom Live which includes online navigation services.

Bluetooth connectivity and the ability to interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included in the deal. So is Vauxhall Connect, which gives you instant access to emergency support if you have an accident.

Air-conditioning forms part of the offer (our van was kitted out with an optional automatic system) and chills whatever you pop into the glovebox as well as keeping the cab interior cool. That should ensure your slab of milk chocolate doesn’t melt on a hot day.

A 12v power socket (there’s another one in the load area) and a USB port are present and correct, and electric windows are fitted along with heated and electrically-adjustable exterior rear-view mirrors with a separate lower wide-angle section.

Turning to storage space, aside from the, rather small, glovebox, which has a deep shelf above it, there are shelves above the windscreen on both the driver and passenger side. A lidded compartment sits on top of the dashboard next to four trays of varying sizes while each door features two bins, the lower one of which boasts a moulding which can accommodate a large bottle of water.

A moulding with a couple of cup-holders and two trays projects from the bottom of the dashboard. You’ll find another cup-holder to the left of the heating and ventilation controls on the fascia; good to see that you are not expected to fiddle about with the touchscreen every time you want to turn the heating up.

Pull down the centre section of the middle seat’s back and it turns into a small desk with a pair of cup-holders of different sizes and a clip to keep your paperwork tidy; assuming you still use paperwork.

Complete with an armrest and lumbar adjustment, the driver’s seat is height-adjustable. So is the steering wheel, which plays host to remote controls for the radio and phone.

Unusually for a van, the seat is suspended. You dial in your weight for the best level of comfort.

It is a pity, however, that the driving position is offset – this means that the driver doesn’t sit squarely behind the wheel, in other words, which makes it rather awkward. The buttons for the cruise control system, which includes a speed limiter, are on a steering column stalk.

As well as reversing sensors, the onboard safety systems include ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Electronic Stability Programme with traction control and Hill Start Assist.
The traction control system can be switched off.

Our demonstrator’s safety was enhanced by the presence of an optional Drive Assist pack. It encompasses Automatic Emergency City Braking, Lane Keep Assist (which can be cancelled), High Beam Assist, and Traffic Sign Recognition. The last-named function features a display on the instrument panel which told us the speed limits on the roads we were travelling down.

Disc brakes – ventilated at the front – grace all four wheels.

Rear parking sensors are installed with a warning beep-beep-beep sounding whenever the van is reversing.

The lights come on automatically at dusk, the windscreen wipers are triggered when raindrops spatter the windscreen and a driver’s airbag is fitted. Our demonstrator also featured an optional passenger airbag.

The independent front suspension is pseudo-MacPherson with a lower wishbone and helical springs while the rear suspension features longitudinal single-leaf springs. A rigid axle helps support the back of the vehicle.

Anti-roll bars are to be found front and rear and double-acting hydraulic shock-absorbers are installed all round. Hydraulic power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering delivers a 14.2m kerb-to-kerb turning circle expanding to 14.4m wall-to-wall.

Our Movano sat on 15in steel wheels shod with Bridgestone Duravis R660 215/70 R15 tyres.

Remember that the handbrake lever is positioned between the driver’s seat and door. Make sure you release it fully and don’t get your clothing tangled up with it when you climb out.

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