In this article, we will answer the following question: Can a Meriva tow a caravan? We will write a short review about the Meriva, discuss its pros and cons on the long road.
Can a Meriva tow a caravan?
A Vauxhall Merica can tow a caravan, but it is limited by its maximum towing weight of 1200 kg. Traditionally, minivans have soft and comfortable suspensions. Meriva breaks the tradition as the steering has a response worthy of a sports car. A short movement of the wrist is enough to register on fast corners without feeling that the car could get out of control.
On the long road, you discover the car’s most critical strengths and the most prominent disadvantages.
Vauxhall Meriva Towing Capacity
Car model | Unbraked Towing Capacity | Braked Towing Capacity |
| Vauxhall Meriva (2003 – 2010) 1.3 CDTi 16V Active 5d | 675kg | 1200kg |
| Vauxhall Meriva (2003 – 2010) 1.4 16V Breeze 5d | 665kg | 1000kg |
| Vauxhall Meriva (2003 – 2010) 1.4i 16V Active 5d (06) | 665kg | 1000kg |
| Vauxhall Meriva (2003 – 2010) 1.6 16V Breeze 5d Easytronic | 675kg | 1200kg |
| Vauxhall Meriva (2003 – 2010) 1.6 8V Design 5d | 675kg | 1200kg |
| Vauxhall Meriva (2003 – 2010) 1.6i 16V Active Plus 5d | 675kg | 1200kg |
| Vauxhall Meriva (2003 – 2010) 1.7 CDTi Active 5d | 675kg | 1200kg |
| Vauxhall Meriva (2003 – 2010) 1.8 16V Breeze 5d | 675kg | 1300kg |
| Vauxhall Meriva (2010 onwards) 1.3 CDTi Active Limited Edition 5d | 710kg | 1000kg |
| Vauxhall Meriva (2010 onwards) 1.4i 16V Energy (11/13-) 5d | 670kg | 750kg |
| Vauxhall Meriva (2010 onwards) 1.6 CDTi (95bhp) ecoFLEX Exclusiv 5d | 730kg | 1050kg |
| Vauxhall Meriva (2010 onwards) 1.7 CDTi 16V (100bhp) S (AC) 5d Auto | 740kg | 1200kg |
| Vauxhall Meriva (2010 onwards) Club 1.4i (100PS) 5d | 670kg | 700kg |
| Vauxhall Meriva 1.4i 16V Club 5dr estate | 670 Kg | 700 Kg |
| Vauxhall Meriva 1.7 CDTi 16V Exclusiv 5dr Auto diesel estate | 740 Kg | 1200 Kg |
| Vauxhall MERIVA ESTATE 1.4i 16V Life 5dr | 670 kg | 700 kg |
| Vauxhall MERIVA ESTATE 1.4T 16V SE 5dr Auto | 720 kg | 1,300 kg |
Other questions you may be interested in
The Vauxhall Meriva: a review
Vauxhall Meriva has reached the second generation and with this hierarchical step, it goes from the image of a minivan without a personality to a youthful and very daring style, especially when we talk about the unconventional opening of the rear doors.
The new Meriva keeps very faithfully the lines of the concept of the same name, presented by Opel in 2008, although few even thought that the new small class minivan of the Germans will take over the style of opening the rear doors from Rolls-Royce.
However, Meriva is the pure expression of Opel’s ambition to differentiate itself at all costs in the small family car segment – a category of vehicles very well developed in major European car markets such as France and Germany.
Aesthetically speaking, we have in front of us real progress of the German brand, a sign that the new Insignia and Astra recipe is successful. The design motifs with sharp angles at the headlights and taillights give you the feeling of speed and dynamism, even if the car stays still.
Inside, the story of Astra and Insignia is repeated. The orders are largely the same and arranged in much the same way. The buttons for CD radio and air conditioning give you the feeling of congestion, but they become very easy to use once you understand their logic.
Vauxhall Meriva: Technology, comfort and facilities
You’re probably wondering why Opel chose a different opening for the rear doors, like the Rolls-Royce. By the way, this door system is called suicide doors. Opel calls them FlexDoors and used them on its cars launched more than 50 years ago, when, admittedly, this type of rear door opening was much more widespread.
This constructive solution has several advantages. For example, when you want to get out of the car, you can rest your arm on the front of the door, as if you had a huge wing. The door becomes a good support to go down. In addition, there is no risk of passengers rubbing their feet in front of the door when going up or down.
So apart from the fact that the neighbours might criticize you for buying your Meriva as a cheaper version of Rolls-Royce, these doors have no disadvantages.
The interior is unexpectedly well adapted to modern requirements for a family car. On two parallel rails slides the huge armrest, and immediately below it is a tray with a cup holder that also slides. The armrest and tray can also be removed. Below there is still a huge space for bottles or other bulky objects that must be at hand.
Comfort is complemented by a correct position for the gearbox and steering wheel, which come exactly where it is needed for the driver. The test car also has a more exotic feature in this segment: a heated steering wheel. Another very useful comfort feature in winter, the heated seats, are felt after less than 30 seconds from the start of the resistance, and in a minute they end up burning.
Vauxhall Meriva on the road
Besides the very versatile interior, the way the suspensions are adjusted is the great strength of the new Meriva.
Let’s take a 1.4-litre turbo, petrol, and develop 120 horsepower for example. This engine offers decent performance and an average consumption of about 8 litres / 100 km. In other words, this engine consumes like a 1.6-litre turbo-free and pulls like a 1.8-litre.
At speeds of 70 km / h this turbo engine displays an instantaneous consumption of fewer than 6 litres / 100 km, and at 130 km / h about 8-8.5 litres / 100 km.
Unfortunately, the car has two disadvantages that are hard to overlook. First of all, the rear seats are a bit hard and poorly designed, thus clashing head to head with the idea of a family car and long-distance travel. At least the rear seats can slide individually, allowing you to choose between more legroom or trunk space.
Another minus is the high noise on the road coming from the tires and the wind. Basically, at speeds of over 80 kilometres per hour, there is a loud roar in the car. At least the audio installation with CD and MP3 radio (CD 400) is decent and saves the ears of passengers.
Vauxhall Meriva main competitors
Although it seems clear with whom it competes, the length of 4,288 mm and the wheelbase of 2,644 mm place the new Meriva between small class minivans (segment B) and compact ones (class C), so rivals can be considered: Citroen C3 Picasso and C4 Picasso, Ford Fusion and C-Max, Hyundai ix20, Peugeot 3008, Renault Grand Modus and Scenic, as well as Volkswagen Golf Plus.
Conclusions
Vauxhall Meriva is a true family friend, being very spacious inside and comfortable. The rear seats concept is excellent, especially if you plan to travel with a caravan and need space and compliance on long journeys.
Do you agree with us? Please feel free to ask any questions about the content or to share your opinion on Vauxhall Meriva.
FAQ on Can a Meriva tow a caravan?
What weight caravan can a Vauxhall Mokka tow?
A Vauxhall Mokka can tow a braked caravan that weights up to 1600 kgs (depending on the model), and an unbraked caravan of 500 kgs maximum weight.
How much can a Vauxhall Insignia tow?
A Vauxhall Insignia can tow a maximum braked weight of 1600 kg and a maximum unbraked weight of 750 kg.
Can a Vauxhall Crossland tow a caravan?
A Vauxhall Crossland can successfully tow a small or medium caravan. The car’s towing capacity ranges from 650 to 840 kg.
What is a Vauxhall versatility pack?
A Vauxhall versatility pack is an option pack that adds a variable-height boot floor and a centre rear armrest for the rear seat that also doubles as a load-through ski hatch.
