Vauxhall Movano van review (2024)

• Updated engine an improvement
• All units powerful
• Turning circle decent for a large van

Vauxhall can update its interior as much as possible, but some things can’t be covered up with a fancy new infotainment system and the way the Movano drives betrays its age a little.

The engines are tried and tested, with the 2024 versions an adaptation of those that have featured in the Fiat Ducato in years gone by. There are only two to choose from, with 140hp and 180hp on offer. There have been plenty over the time that the Movano has been on sale, though, so you might well find other options if you are hunting through the listings of used vans for sale.

There have previously been power outputs ranging from 120hp, to 140hp up to 165hp. In any case, the recent options have been the same as that offered in the sister vans from the likes of Citroen.

The 2024 engines are an improvement on their immediate predecessors, with the 140hp unit providing plenty of oomph. This is aided in part by the fact that the Movano is an old and light vehicle. With less to carry around, the more of the engine’s ability is directed towards moving the van forward. The smaller engines were more geared towards urban and low-intensity delivery duties, so that the 140hp model is now the least powerful means that each version should be more suited to all-round jobs.

The Movano is relatively agile, too, with a decent ride thanks to the pliant suspension. The kerb-to-kerb turning circle is decent at 12.6m, although this is still larger than the smallest offered by the Ford Transit. The steering is light, which is handy when it comes to these low-speed situations, but it also makes the Movano a little less reassuring at higher speeds as it can feel a little twitchy – the wheel moves around too easily when you want a reassuring amount of resistance.

• Aged interior
• Practical and spacious
• Well laid out

The Movano’s cabin is one from the old school, with a basic and functional design that doesn’t offer many clever tricks. What it does provide is a good amount of space for both passengers and their gubbins.

There are myriad storage slots, from the huge overhead compartment to the decent-sized door bins. Add in a few covered dash-top cubbies and a glovebox and you should be able to tuck plenty of things out of sight.

Simple seating

Ergonomically the Movano’s cabin is simple and functional. You should be able to get comfortable thanks to the six-way adjustment on the driver’s seat and the steering wheel that goes in and out as well as up and down. There’s lumbar support, too, but there isn’t anything in the way of the sprung seats that rivals such as the VW Crafter can provide.

Passengers get good room too, thanks in part to the revamped dashboard too. The gear lever sits high enough that the middle passenger gets a good amount of legroom, although there is a pair of cupholders down low that might get in the way a little.

There are other handy features too, such as a middle seat that flips down to create a little working desk. It’s rudimentary, but handy.

Upgraded infotainment

The dashboard and all it came with was always the first thing that betrayed the Movano’s age – it’s hard to pretend that it is a modern vehicle when it came fitted with the sort of tech that went out of fashion over a decade ago.

Thankfully the latest update has brought a touch of fresh class to the cabin, with a 5.0-inch colour touchscreen now standard and a 10.0-inch version available as an option. This features navigation, but this setup can be a little fiddly so it is welcome that you also get Apple Carplay and Android Auto included too.

There are two USB connections, but only the older style ones, but all the linking can be done via Bluetooth as well. The other welcome feature is the row of physical buttons, so you can adjust things like the volume and temperature easily on the move, and with gloves on.

The dated physical dials in the instrument cluster have been replaced by a digital display that allows you to cycle through a selection of information. None of this is groundbreaking or class leading, but it is a significant step up from the dated and basic setup that it replaces.

One feature that is well worth considering is the digital rear-view mirror, which gives a clear view behind the van and to the side. It’s only available as part of an expensive pack, but it is something that could save on expensive repairs or even more costly accidents in town.

• Eye-catching low entry price
• Light weight means decent fuel economy
• Single trim equals good standard kit levels

The basic design and construction of the Vauxhall Movano has been around so long that it doesn’t really owe its maker anything back – it was developed so long ago that it is just a case of tweaking the formula and then keep churning them out.

As there aren’t huge research and development costs to pay back, the purchase price can therefore be a bit lower, which means that the Movano represents decent value when you look at how much it costs you in cash.

There is also just the one trim, so you don’t have to scrabble around to find more to get up to a level where there is any equipment worth having. There are still options – the excellent digital rear view

Vauxhall Movano mpg

The Movano is a relatively old-fashioned and lightweight van, which results in high payloads and marginally lower fuel economy ratings. The pick of the bunch is the L2H2 version, which promises an official rating of over 34mpg. Not all models can match this – add in the eight-speed automatic transmission and your official figure dips below 30mpg, but the rest are in a similar ballpark.

Vauxhall Movano warranty

The standard Vauxhall Movano warranty is for three years and 100,000 miles.

Vauxhall Movano standard equipment

There is just the one trim on the Vauxhall Movano – Prime – and it comes with a decent level of kit accordingly. The standard-fit highlights are as follows:

• 10-inch colour touchscreen
• USB and Bluetooth phone connections
• Manual air conditioning
• Cruise control
• Driver’s armrest
• Rear parking sensors
• Electric and heated door mirrors
• Rear-view camera

The engine in the Movano might be a new one to the Vauxhall, but it isn’t a new unit. Such things aren’t really being developed these days. Instead, the engine has been ‘harmonised’ with the Fiat Ducato, which has in turn had plenty of testing over the years. There are no notable recent recalls on the Ducato, which bodes well.

• Safety has taken a big step up
• Multiple standard-fit airbags
• Good level of tech-based kit

Safety has historically been a bit of an afterthought for vans, particularly large and relatively aged ones like the Movano. This, thankfully, has been rectified a little with the advent of safety assessments for vans, and we are now seeing a better level of equipment fitted as standard.

This means that there is a mixture of modern technology and more physical kit such as airbags – no longer are these simply reserved for the driver as standard.

Vauxhall Movano safety

The level of safety equipment is much better as of 2024 than it has been in the past. You get more than one airbag for a start, but you also get a variety of driver-assistance technology as standard. The highlights are listed below:

• Driver’s airbags
• Double passenger airbags
• Advanced emergency braking
• Lane support system
• Traffic sign recognition
• Driver drowsiness detection
• Intelligent speed assist
• Rear-view camera

There are more driver assistance packages available too, with systems such as a blind spot alert, rear cross traffic alert, cornering front fog lights, and 360-degree parking sensors.

Vauxhall Movano security

The standard security equipment on the Movano covers the basics, with a remote control alarm system and a full-height steel bulkhead.