Vauxhall Movano (2010 – 2021) Review

March 2010

Vauxhall Movano launched

There are 29 body types to pick from and it’s available with front or rear-wheel drive, gross vehicle weights of up to 4.5 tonnes and a payload of up to 2.5 tonnes. Modular platform is shared with the Renault Master and prices for the Vauxhall start at £21,660 + VAT.

A new family of four cylinder common-rail 2.3 CDTi engines provide low fuel consumption and emissions. The engines are available with three power outputs - 100 PS, 125 PS and 146 PS. With an optional 105 litre fuel tank, the operating range is nearly 875 miles.

Early models came with a Launch Pack with £1,400 worth of options including air conditioning, a multi-function trip computer, vehicle alarm and Bluetooth connectivity. Vauxhall also introduces a new Expression model, priced at just £20,250, bringing the entry level cost of Movano ownership down by £1,410 below the price of the L2H2 3300 panel van. While the Expression is the only Movano model not to benefit from the Launch Pack, it still gets electric windows/mirrors and a full bulkhead.

January 2011

Vauxhall launches Movano ecoFlex

Based on the 3.3-tonne L2H2 2.3CDTI (100PS) model already on sale, it gets 'efficiency' features such as manually-operated windows, door mirrors and door locking, a tyre repair kit in lieu of spare wheel and a 56mph speed limiter as standard. This sees CO2 drop to 202g/km.

June 2011

Movano Minibus added to range

Three new minibus versions of the Movano are added to the factory-built model range. They comprise six, nine and 17-seater versions and each uses a new 125PS 2.3-litre turbodiesel engine that meets Euro 5 emissions standards.

October 2012

Refigerated Movano launched

Vauxhall partnered with conversion specialist The Cold Consortium Ltd to produce a refrigerated Movano available in a range of load lengths and roof heights. Developed specifically for the fresh and frozen produce industries, wholesalers and traders could lease the vehicle from just £120 per week.

The epoxy resin panels, impregnated with Envirocare-Bactericide, provide a waterproof and durable finish to the load space, along with pallet protection for the floor and aluminium threshold protection. The low floor height makes the vehicle’s rear easy to access, while the 1100kg payload means it can handle demanding delivery routes. The use of a GAH slim roof-mounted condenser means the Movano still maintains a low roofline and with operating temperatures of +0˚C to +8˚C (chiller version), and as low as -25˚C (deep freeze version), the produce stays as fresh as possible.

October 2012

DAB upgrade introduced

DAB digital radio is now available for all Vauxhall commercial vehicles for £195. The system is fitted by Vauxhall retailers and can be completely integrated with existing steering-wheel mounted controls and the installed stereo’s display. The installation is quick and because it’s connected directly into the van’s existing entertainment system, there are no unsightly wires or extra controls to worry about.

November 2012

Movano Tipper launched

Vauxhall partnered with commercial vehicle conversion specialist VFS to produce a Movano Caged Tipper. The latest conversions are available as a purpose-designed cage for the existing Movano Tipper core conversion, or a custom-built VFS caged tipper based on a Movano chassis cab. A utility cab conversion based on the Movano double cab is also available.

The cage is two metres high with a galvanised mesh and rear doors that open to 270 degrees. The vehicle includes a full height sliding door and a rear header bar with marker lamps for optimum visibility. The assembly is painted in dark grey to match the original tipper body structure, while all handles, latches and door retainers are highlighted in ‘traffic’ yellow.

The tail-lift features a folding aluminium platform and the external controls are mounted within a dustproof and waterproof enclosure, while an instrument panel and operation instruction signage are all included. The cage is available on Vauxhall core conversion tippers or alternatively a custom-built VFS caged tipper is available on Movano chassis or crew cabs.

February 2013

Movano ecoFLEX improved

Fitted with start/stop as standard, the Movano ecoFLEX 2.3 CDTi is available in two power outputs (100PS and 125PS) and wheelbases (L2H2 and L3H2). It now returns a claimed 37.2mpg with CO2 of 199g/km, a 5 per cent reduction over the outgoing model. Over the course of 80,000 miles, Movano ecoFLEX operators could save more than £700 per vehicle in fuel costs.

February 2013

Two year service intervals introduced

From March 2013, all Movano models will move to two year service intervals or 25,000 miles or oil life quality monitor warning, whichever is sooner.

August 2015

New engine for Movano Minibus

The nine-seat Movano Combi and 17-seat Movano Minibus are also available with new 2.3-litre BiTurbo diesel engines. Thanks to Vauxhall’s BlueInjection exhaust after-treatment system, these engines also comply with Euro 6.

The Combi has two Euro 6 engines, the first is a 145PS version with 360Nm of torque. The most powerful engine now delivers 170PS and 380Nm of torque. Both models deliver 42.8mpg and emit 173g/km CO2 with prices starting from £33,448 excluding VAT.

Moving up the range, the 17-seat Movano minibus has also been updated with the Euro 6 compliant 145PS BiTurbo engine.

The new engines come with start/stop along with a manual six-speed transmission. The driver assistance package, now available for the Movano, offers comfort and improved safety. This package includes high beam assist, lane departure warning, fog lights and an on-board computer.

May 2019

Movano gets 2019 facelift

Vauxhall says the safety of both the driver and other road users has been an important factor in the development of the updated Movano.

A rear vision camera system, available for the first time, gives a live feed to a seven-inch touchscreen, providing optimum visibility and helping to detect cyclists and pedestrians. A blind spot monitoring system is also new to the Movano, using ultrasonic sensors to detect objects in the blind spot and alerting the driver with LED indicators in the corresponding mirror. A lane departure warning system, which sounds an audible alarm if the driver strays from their lane, is also available.

Despite the large dimensions of the Movano, the van remains planted to the road in high winds thanks to the Side-Wind Assistant, which comes as standard on all models. In such conditions, the Electronic Stability Programme is automatically activated to improve handling.

Behind the wheel, drivers benefit from connectivity and entertainment features thanks to the Navi 5.0 IntelliLink Pro infotainment system, which is available for the first time on new Movano. The system features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, with the interior featuring a wireless charging point for smartphones.

As the largest vehicle in Vauxhall’s portfolio, the Movano is available in four different lengths and three heights, carrying a maximum payload of up to 4.5 tonnes and 17 cubic metres of cargo. This means that, in certain configurations, the van can transport up to five euro pallets, ensuring that there is a Movano for almost every need. Perfect for trades professionals, 150 different versions of the Movano are available ex works, allowing for numerous conversions for specialist requirements.

The new Movano is clearly identifiable as a Vauxhall, sharing many design elements with other models in the brand’s range of class-leading vans. Inside the cabin, the multi-adjustable seats are comfortable and supportive, with the optional comfort seats for the driver and passengers offering adjustable lumbar support. The Movano can also be ordered with an air-cushioned driver’s seat, perfect for frequent use over bumpy surfaces. In the cargo area, LED lighting makes the Movano easy to use even in dark conditions, while new handles on the side-walls and pillars further improve convenience.