14 Feb 06
The VXR's suspension is 30% stiffer and lower than the cooking Meriva, which means that the rollercoaster ride is banished, leaving you to enjoy the drive without losing your lunch. It grips well too - even on the winter tyres we were forced to use in frozen Germany - although the steering could give a bit more indication as to what's going on under the front wheels.
There's very little torque steer to speak of and although the ESP can't be switched off, it stays quiet until the last possible moment.
It's immensely chuckable - disguising its 1,330Kg figure well - and, overall, it is a rather good drive: you never feel that you're in a top-heavy compact MPV, more a spacious family hatch.
