Vauxhall Movano review

It’s been a while since the Vauxhall Movano first hit the roads, yet during that time this large van hasn’t really changed all that much. This latest version, unveiled at the end of 2019, makes do with a facelift and new engines.

Based on the Renault Master, the Movano – which is also closely related to the Nissan NV400 – is up against titans of the van world including the Ford Transit, the Mercedes Sprinter and the VW Crafter.

Carving out a speciality among those is tough, but the Movano offers a large array of body options, ranging from panel vans in four lengths and three heights, to 4.5-tonne chassis cabs. There's a double-cab option with seating for up to seven, as well as crew cab vans, box vans and platform cabs.

There's also an electric van version available – to read about that, see our Vauxhall Movano Electric review. Or read on to find out how well the regular diesel Vauxhall Movano does as we rate it against the best large vans...

Read more: How we test vans

The Vauxhall Movano is available with a 2.3-litre biturbo diesel engine, which makes it a very driveable van even when fully loaded. A six-speed manual gearbox is fitted as standard, with the option of a Tecshift six-speed automatic gearbox also available. 

The range of engines is, however, a little confusing, as your choice is dependent on whether you want a front or rear-wheel-drive model. Vans with power to the front wheels get 133bhp, 148bhp or 178bhp engines, while rear-drive gives you 128bhp, 143bhp and 163bhp options.

Whether you choose front or rear-wheel-drive will depend on your intended purpose for the vans, with towing or higher payloads all needing to be considered, but of the pack our preference would be the front-wheel-drive 148bhp engine. You get plenty of power and 284lb ft of torque – just 11lb ft less than the 178bhp version.

The twin-turbo engine is, however, capable at all outputs and the 133bhp unit is worth considering as a budget option if you don’t plan on operating near maximum payload.

The six-speed auto is ponderous and at times quite punchy with its shifts, however, so be sure to test it before  finalising your order.

Overall, to drive, the Movano – like the Renault Master – is a solid all-rounder. While it can’t lay claim to being up their with the best handling and most comfortable vans in the sector – that title is shared by the Mercedes Sprinter and VW Crafter – it does possess a commanding seating position that gives great visibility forwards and backwards thanks to large and well positioned mirrors.

To find out more about the all-electric versions, see our Vauxhall Movano Electric review.

The latest Vauxhall Movano’s interior is a major step forward over that of the previous model, being both functional and modern. That's especially true if you spec the Multimedia Navi Pro system, which adds a central screen.

Basic specifications for the Movano include Bluetooth connectivity, automatic lights and wipers, steering-mounted audio controls and a height-adjustable driver’s seat with armrest. There’s also Hill Start Assist, an Eco gearshift indicator and remote central locking with an immobiliser.

There’s no trim range as such, but rather a wide range of options can be added to the Movano so you can build a van to your liking. Popular options include rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera or surround vision. You also get the nearside blind-spot mirror, as also found in Renault vans, fitted as standard in the passenger sun visor.

We’d also recommend the Convenience Pack – although it’s worth noting that you are paying for some options that come on other vans as standard. It adds a driver’s seat with lumbar support, allows the central seat on the passenger bench to fold and become a table, and adds underseat storage. One-touch down electric windows, a retractable A4 clipboard and improved bulkhead sound proofing complete the package.

The Movano also has a selection of some of the best storage solutions in the large van sector. It has a generously sized glovebox, large, useful door pockets and an overhead shelf that will take most items. If that’s still not enough then the optional underseat storage will help.

Inside, there is a new Intellilink 5.0 navigation system that is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There are also new seats with improved lumbar support and the option of an air suspended seat option for the driver.

With front and rear-wheel-drive vans that offer similar capabilities, it’s easy to get a little muddled in the details of the Vauxhall Movano range.

L1, L2 or L3 length vehicles are available as front-wheel-drive vans (FWD), while L1 models can have a standard or high roof and L2 and L3 get the option of either a high or extra-high roof. Rear-wheel-drive vans (RWD) come in L3 and L4 lengths, with the choice of high and extra-high roofs. That means that FWD vans have a maximum load volume of 14.8m³, while the RWD vans can accommodate as much as 17m³.

Maximum load length carrying capacity for L1 vans is 2583mm, for L2 vans is 3083mm, for L3 vans is 3733mm and for L4 vans is 4383mm. Maximum width across the loadspace is 1765mm, with 1380mm between the wheelarches.

Loadspace height is 1700mm for FWD L1 vans, 1894mm for L2 models and 2144mm for H3. Loading height at the rear is 557mm whereas RWD vans have a 696mm loading height. As a result, internal roof heights are a bit limited, with 1798mm for the H2 and 2048mm for the H3.

The Movano is available in a wide range of gross vehicle weights (GVW), with the smaller 2.8-tonne vans capable of moving 873kg and the largest 4.5-tonne Movano able to move 2151kg. Payloads for conventional 3.5-tonne vans range from 1226kg to 1545kg. Other variants and 3.3 tonne models are also available with payloads in excess of 1300kg.

That means the Movano is one of the better large vans for carrying weight, surpassing key rivals like the Ford Transit in most guises.

The rear loadspace gets a side loading door on the nearside, with twin rear doors that open to 180 degrees as standard. There’s also the option of 270 -degree opening rear doors. The shortest wheelbase vans get six load-lashing points, while L2 and L3 vans get eight and L4 models receive 10. Full height plywood protective lining is an option on all vans, along with a plywood floor protector. LED rear lighting is standard.

The Vauxhall Movano’s updated 2.3-litre engine has resulted in a significant step forward in the competitiveness of its running costs.

MPG has risen across the board by as much as 8mpg, with the best performer, the 148bhp engine, officially returns 32.2mpg under the WLTP testing regime. For some users, the electric van version will make more sense – to find out more, see our Vauxhall Movano Electric review.

While the Movano’s starting price and options are mid-pack, the total cost of ownership is hampered by its 25,000 mile servicing intervals. That's relatively frequent compared with some rival large vans.

Safety systems in the Movano are impressive, though, with Side Wind Assist, lane departure warning and blind-spot detection, as well as the option of a rear-view camera that's paired with a 7in screen where the rear-view mirror would be.

With no specific trim levels to choose from, the Movano’s spec is as flexible as you want to make it, but we would encourage you to consider the Convenience Pack and the 7in infotainment touchscreen to really maximise your comfort and connectivity.

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