Flex-door MPV

Many years have passed since MPVs were all the rage, but back then it was no surprise that some carmakers aimed to capitalise on their popularity with smaller versions. One such was Vauxhall who launched its Meriva in 2003, a model that would go on to sell over one million examples. Come 2010 and it was time for the second-generation we have here. Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show it mixed impressive levels of practicality with a larger, more stylish design – plus it introduced a pair of rear-hinged ‘FlexDoors’ through which to access the rear of the cabin. It was a marked departure from the thoroughly conventional first-generation Meriva, then, and one which caught the eye of plenty of buyers.

Despite having to compete with a number of capable rivals over the next few years it remained in production until 2017, although it’s fair to say that a flurry of new Vauxhalls during that time saw the practical people carrier become a bit forgotten before slipping from the line-up with little fanfare.

Still, a few nips and tucks kept it fresh, and while its replacement would see the inevitable switch to an SUV/crossover (in the form of the Crossland X) the number