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Vauxhall completed the switch of its LCV range to Peugeot/Citroen-derived underpinnings in 2021 with this third generation Movano, which remained the company's largest van. That platform change allowed for provision of an all-electric version, but most operators will be looking at the diesel offering.
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History
Size matters. To businesses needing a really big van. And to Vauxhall, which as one of the UK market's leading LCV players, needs a really class-competitive large van to top off its commercial vehicle range. In truth, it's some time since the brand has had that, but in 2021 with the switch of its Movano model to Peugeot/Citroen underpinnings in its third generation form, the figures seemed to stack up much better.
The second generation Movano this MK3 design replaced was on sale for over a decade, but this MK3 version was always going to have a much shorter life because it was based on Peugeot Boxer and Citroen Relay models already well advanced in their life spans. Both though, were based on underpinnings allowing for the provision of an all-electric version, so this Vauxhall could offer that too. The most important news for operators though back in 2021 was that the volume diesel variants produced more class-competitive efficiency. The MK3 Movano sold in this form until late 2023, when it was substantially updated. It's the pre-facelift 2021-2023-era versions though, that we concentrate on here.
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What you get
Vauxhall wasn't given leave to redesign the front end of the existing Peugeot Boxer / Citroen Relay design, so the nose section is much the same, save for the addition of the familiar Vauxhall Griffin badge, with its chromed wings either side. The large high-mounted headlights incorporate daytime running lights. And there's a multi-piece front bumper to minimise accident damage and reduce repair costs.
Climb inside and you'll be greeted by decent quality cab trim and a reasonably modern dashboard layout. As you'd expect, this Movano features a dual passenger seat, this one incorporating a drop-down desk unit. Up to ten in-cab storage areas are available, including the glovebox, a dash-mounted document clip and various open or lidded compartments on the dashboard. In addition, there are large door pockets, storage space beneath the passenger seat and a sizeable 22-litre overhead storage compartment.
There was a clear effort in design here not just to improve the perception of quality in the cab but also to beef up high use, high stress items such as the rear doors. These were reinforced and high strength door hinges were used. Similarly, the sliding side load doors got reinforced rails, tough-design runners and security-tested door locks.
On to practicalities. The junior version of this Movano is the L1H1 (short wheelbase, low roof) panel van which could be specified in 3.0 and 3.3 tonne gross weights, and has a load space volume of 8.0 m3. Despite this being the smallest van in the range, it still has a load length of 2670mm, an internal load compartment height of 1662mm, a maximum load width of 1870mm and a between-the-wheel arches dimension of 1422mm - wide enough for an 8ft x 4ft sheet to be loaded flat on the floor.
Graduate to the medium wheelbase L2 model and you can get both standard and high roof formats, giving respective load volumes of 10m3 and 11.5m3. The Movano L2 panel van has a load deck length of 3120mm and either an interior load height of 1662mm (H1) or 1932mm (H2). It could also be specified in 3.3, 3.5 and 4.005 tonne gross weight versions. Should you really need some big capacity, the long wheelbase L3 format will be the ticket. In this configuration, the Movano has a load deck length of 3705mm and an internal load height of 1932mm, which gives a 13 m3 capacity. The largest Movano panel vans are the 3.5 and 4.005 tonne L4H2 and L4H3 models, which have a load deck length of 4070mm and a 17.0m3 capacity.
If you're opting for the all-electric Movano-e (shortly after launch re-badged as the Movano Electric), you'll be pleased to find that its EV powertrain doesn't compromise load volume. That's because the drive system's lithium-ion battery is mounted under the floor between the front and rear axle and so doesn't impinge on the cargo bay.
On to running cost efficiency. The 2.2 litre turbo-charged diesel engines offer better fuel economy than the MK2 Movano's old 2.3-litre CDTi unit. The 120hp variant manages up to around 35mpg on the WLTP cycle in regular use, with the 140hp unit much the same. Even the gutsier 165hp powerplant only falls as far as around 31mpg.
What about the EV version? Well like Vauxhall's other fully electric LCV models, the Movano-e/ Movano Electric is exempt from current ultra-low and congestion charge payments. The zero emissions powertrain also allows businesses to save significantly on company van tax, with a 0% Benefit-in-Kind tax rate. This provides eligible businesses with immediate and significant annual savings that can amount to thousands of pounds.
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What to look for
These vans are pretty tough, but there are a few things you'll need to look out for. It's the usual advice with large LCVs to buy on condition rather than year and look for a van that has tended to have performed lightweight delivery duties rather than consistently butting up against its payload limits. Make sure that all the connectivity works properly - Bluetooth-linking and so on. Check for load bay scuffs and scratches. And insist on a fully stamped-up service history.
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Replacement parts
(approx based on a Movano 2.2D 165hp - 2022)
Air filters are around £23-£41. Oil filters are around £8. Front brake pads are around £53. A pair of front brake discs cost in the £72 bracket. A pair of rear brake discs are typically in the £82 bracket. Wiper blades are around £40.
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On the road
Instead of the aging 2.3-litre CDTi diesel engine used by the previous model, this third generation Movano got the more efficient PSA Group 2.2-litre unit. This better met strict Euro 6d emissions regulations and was available with a range of power outputs, from 120PS to 165PS, and with torque figures of between 300Nm and 370Nm. All versions of the engine feature a six-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive.
Alternatively, there's the all-electric Movano-e / Movano Electric model. Here, there's a choice of batteries, but the base 37kWh one will only work for city-based operators because its driving range is restricted to just 72 miles. That increases to 139 miles with the larger 70kWh battery. This EV model's under-floor battery positioning results in a low centre of gravity, improving cornering and stability even when fully loaded. A sophisticated regenerative braking system that recovers energy when slowing is said to increase the Movano-e's efficiency.
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Overall
If your business needs a large van and you're familiar with this segment of the market, you may have in recent years ignored the Vauxhall Movano as a potential alternative in a sector full of more modern, efficient designs. This third generation version though, deserves a place on your shortlist.
No fresh standards were set here, but this model line in this form managed to match most of the requirements many operators will have in terms of efficiency, practicality and body choice. And offered an all-electric option for those businesses needing it. In short, Vauxhall's biggest LCV here moved on. It'll be interesting to see if potential customers on the used market are ready to move on with it.
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