Vauxhall Movano Minibus Review

How ‘Mo’ can you go?

I don’t get all this Movember malarkey. Okay, so it raises money for charity, but to me it just seems to be to be an excuse for some blokes to look a bit scruffy for a few weeks. Besides, it’s hard to take anyone seriously when they look like one of The Village People.

I went through my moustache phase years ago, so my hairy top lip days are well and truly behind me. If I had my way, I’d round up all this temporary tache toters up, chuck them into a van and take them on an extended trip – and I think I’ve found just the vehicle – the Vauxhall Movano Minibus.

Whether you’re shipping off a crowd of ‘wacky’ students or in need of a reliable minibus for regular trips, the Movano is hard to beat. Like its panel van equivalent, it is an easy, reliable car-like drive, although comfort is more of a priority than in the commercial vehicle. Of course, cheap insurance cover is also high up in the list of priorities too and this bad boy shouldn’t set you back too much in that regard as long as you shop around.

The standard edition of the Movano minibus comes with 17 seats, although there are options for six- or nine-seater Combi configurations, depending on how much leg or luggage room you need.

There are certain restrictions on what size of minibus you can drive on a normal car licence if you have passed your test after January 1, 1997, so it’s worth checking whether you’ll be able to get behind the wheel of this Movano minibus before you actually do.

Vauxhall Movano – Travelling in Style

There are a number of neat little features which will give passengers the feeling of travelling in style – the electrically-powered retractable step on the sliding door side as well as individual ventilation and a reading light on each seat.

You can have the whole bus fitted with air conditioning, although this will set you back another two and a half grand. Just as well you’ll be saving a packet on your van insurance.

As well as the sliding door side, access to the seats in the rear can be gained by double doors on the other side.

Legroom is somewhat restricted, but I’ve yet to come across a minibus where you’re knees and chin weren’t in such close proximity. Compared to that, the Movano isn’t too bad, but the overhead storage compartments are a little skimpy – you’ll probably get your coat up there, but that’s about it.

Vauxhall have provided a number of optional extras to allow you to customise the Movano to your own needs. You can create a bit of extra luggage space with a floor-mounted rail at the back which allow you to remove that back row of seats.

An extra £319 will get you parking sensors, which could come in handy if your not used to driving a minibus or if unruly passengers in the back are hampering you’re reversing efforts.

The 125hp 2.2 diesel engine provides plenty of pulling power, even if you are hauling a chunky rugby team around.

While luggage space is restricted, the seating configuration options do provide the opportunity to tweak the Movano to suit any use, anti-Movember crusades included.

Get a Great Quote on a Vauxhall Movano Minibus at VanInsured.co.uk

About White Van Man

I drive a white van, drink beer and eat pies (not at the same time though!). Now and again I review new vans for a VAN INSURANCE website: www.VanInsured.co.uk