Ten Second Review

Until now, large vans have often been pretty far behind the curve when it comes to technology, but Vauxhall's Movano has now caught up. For the first time, there's a credible EV version - and even hydrogen power. Plus a smart new look and a properly car-like cab.

Background

Vauxhall's largest van, the Movano, has come in many different forms since we first saw it in 'Movano A' form back in 1998. Both that design and the replacement 'Movano B' (which arrived in 2010) were based on a Renault Master. But with Vauxhall's takeover by the French PSA conglomerate (now part of the Stellantis Group), this design switched in 2022 to the same one used by Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat - and even Toyota. But those underpinnings were in dire need of a technological update, even in the full-electric model that joined the range at the same time. In short, this new era Movano needed thoroughly bringing up-to-date - which is exactly what's happened as part of the far-reaching package of improvements announced with this model at the end of 2023. Almost everything we roundly criticised before - the old-fashioned cab design, the EV version's feeble range and performance, plus behind-the-curve standards of media and safety; it's all been addressed. Time to consider the Movano in a completely new light.

Driving Experience

Diesel versions of this improved Movano continue with the same PSA Group-derived 2.2-litre unit you'll find in its Peugeot, Citroen and Fiat Stellantis Group cousins, as well as in the Toyota Proace Max. This is available with a range of power outputs, from 140PS to 180PS, and can be combined with 8-speed automatic transmission. This Movano Electric uses a big Stellantis-derived 110kWh battery which now takes this LCV 260 miles between charges (105 miles further than the previous 75kWh model). It powers an electric motor putting out 270bhp and 400Nm of torque - though you only get that with the fastest of the three available drive settings ('Power'). The default 'Normal' mode restricts this Vauxhall to 217bhp, while the 'Eco' setting you'll need to get anywhere near the quoted driving range figure restricts you to just 163bhp. There are four selectable levels of brake regeneration, which are operated by paddles behind the steering wheel. Bear in mind that as usual with EV vans, the range figure will drop off quite a bit if you've a full load out back. This EV model's under-floor battery positioning results in a low centre of gravity, improving cornering and stability even when fully loaded. The electric power steering now automatically adjusts the assistance to the speed of the vehicle. This increases driving comfort at higher speeds and makes manoeuvring in the city more comfortable. There's now an electric parking brake, activated via a switch on the instrument panel to the left of the steering wheel. Those who want to travel long distances locally emissions-free and also need to refuel quickly can talk to their dealer about a Hydrogen version which will offer a range of up to 311 miles.

Design and Build

This isn't a completely new Movano under the skin, but Vauxhall wants you to think it is. Hence the new grille, bumper and (on certain models) alloy wheels introduced as part of this update. The headlamps are new too and can optionally feature LED beams. The key differences though, lie inside where the dash has been redesigned around modern-era central infotainment screens that can be up to 10 inches in size. Compatible smartphones connect wirelessly to the infotainment system via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Navigation is possible using TomTom navigation maps in 3D. The most important functions can be controlled via natural speech recognition. Particularly practical for delivery services and professionals who often have to use a mobile phone at work is a shelf in the centre console for charging smartphones inductively. You can now have a digital instrument display too (standard on the EV version) which is configurable and can show 3D mapping. The optional 'Eat & Work' bench-seat turns the cockpit into an ergonomic control centre. In just a few simple steps, the seat next to the driver can be transformed into a movable, practical work surface, for example for a laptop, turning the Movano into a mobile office. Alternatively, the seat can be converted into a small table with a cup holder - ideal when the time comes for a short break. And with the keyless locking and starting system, the driver no longer even needs to take the key out of his pocket to open, start or lock the vehicle. As you'd expect, this Movano features a dual passenger seat. And 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.

Market and Model

Prices, as you'd expect, are much the same as those being charged for the Citroen Relay, Peugeot Boxer, Fiat Ducato and Toyota Proace Max models that share this Vauxhall's engineering. As we compiled this Review in early 2025, prices for the Movano in diesel form were starting from just under £34,000 (exc. VAT), while this Movano Electric was being offered from just over £47,000 after grant deduction (exc. VAT) - a saving of well over £11,000 compared to the outgoing model, despite the additional benefits of this updated model's larger battery and more powerful electric powertrain, plus it's upgraded interior and more advanced driver assist systems. The Hydrogen version is much pricier than the diesel or the EV, starting (after PiVG grant deduction) from around £64,000 ex-VAT. As before, this Movano comes with a wide range of panel van body styles. There are three vehicle lengths (L2, L3 and L4) and three roof heights (H1, H2 and H3). With the Electric model, you can't order the shortest body length or the lowest roof height. If you don't want a conventional panel van (also offered in glazed form), there are also chassis cab, chassis doublecab and platform cab versions available; and of course back-to-back versions allow countless configuration options to suit the respective user-profile. These include crewcab, tipper, drop-side, Luton and curtain-side formats, all of which can be ordered from your Vauxhall dealer. Let's talk about spec, now much improved as part of this update. There's only one trim level - 'Prime' but it includes most of what you'd need. Specifically a side-loading door, rear parking sensors, keyless entry, powered heated door mirrors, a perimeter alarm and cruise control with a variable speed limiter. Inside, there's manual air conditioning, an electric parking brake and a six-way-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support and an arm rest. The Electric and Hydrogen models get a 7-inch digital instrument cluster too. Media tech's taken care of by a centre screen that's 5-inches in size with a diesel model. This centre screen is 7-inches in size with the Electric version. And it's 10-inches in size with a Hydrogen variant. It includes wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' and works with a Global telematics box for fleet data monitoring.

Practicalities and Costs

On to practicalities. As we told you in our 'Market' section, there are three wheelbase lengths - L2, L3 and super-long L4. And you can get three roof height formats - H1, H2 and high-roof H3. On to Gross Vehicle Weight; the diesel models primarily come in 3500 form, which means a 3.5-tonne Gross Vehicle Weight (though a 4250 4.25-tonne version can also be specified). The Movano Electric only comes in 4250 4.25-tonne Gross Vehicle Weight form. The double rear doors open out to 180-degrees; a 270-degree opening system is optional. Cargo load area length is 3,120mm in the L2. Cargo load area length is 3,705mm in the L3 version and as much as 4,070mm in the longest L4 variant. With all body shapes, there 1,870mm of load area width, narrowing to 1,422mm between the wheel arches. Load area height is 1,662mm with the H1 body shape. Load area height is 1,932mm with the H2 version and as much as 2,172mm with the H3. All of that means is that, depending on the wheelbase length and roof height combination you choose, your Movano will be able to take, well an awful lot; even the base L2 H1 version can swallow 10m3. Across the mainstream part of the range with the two longest wheelbases and the two highest body heights, loading capacity varies between 11.5m3 and as much as 17m3. The typical L3 H2 version can take 13m3. If you're opting for 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. You might think that choosing an electric van rather than a diesel one would mean the need to compromise a bit on payload - which for the Movano Electric is restricted to between 1,385kg and 1,770kg, depending on variant; for the L3 H2 variant, it's 1,460kg. Actually though, that's slightly more than an equivalent manual gearbox diesel Movano with the same L3 H2 body shape (which is rated at 1,425kg). Other large EV class vans do better though; an equivalent electric Renault Master E-Tech manages 1,625kg. The payload advantage of choosing a Movano in diesel form is that it is possible to get a version that could take much more - the biggest L4 H2 diesel model can take up to 2,030kg. For completion, we'll tell you that the Movano Hydrogen is payload-rated at between 1,315kg and 1,370kg. Braked towing capacity is up to 2.4-tonnes for the EV and between 2.5 and 3.0-tonnes for the diesels. All Movanos get a single sliding side door (a second one on the other side is optional). It pulls back to reveal an aperture 1,250mm wide (so a forklift could get a pallet in). The aperture height is 1,485mm with the rare H1 version, but it's more likely to be 1,755mm high, which is what you get with the H2 or with the H3 body shape. There's the usual full-height bulkhead, but no option for a flap that would enable you to push lengthy items into the cab. Above the bulkhead is a wide shelf - a very useful place to store the charging leads in the Electric version. Only two dim lights are provided - we'd want the optional LED lighting - but Vauxhall does provide plenty of tie-down points; there are no fewer than 15 of those in this L3 H2 model. You might also want to add the optional 230V socket. It helps to easily charge electric devices such as laptops, electric tool batteries, tablets and other low power appliances that require electricity up to 150 Watts. On to running cost efficiency. If you were to get a typical L3 H2 Movano, but get it in diesel manual form, WLTP figures suggest that it could theoretically manage up to 44.0mpg on the combined cycle and up to 169g/km of CO2, but of course you'll get nothing like that with a load in the back; think more like around 35mpg in regular use. What about the Electric version? Obviously, the WLTP EV range figures from this Vauxhall's 110kWh battery (only 97.8kWh of which is actually usable) depend on the body shape you've chosen - anything between 235 and 262 miles, according to WLTP figures; it's 263 miles for this L3 H2 version. As with all EV vans, that'd rise substantially in city-only use of course - in this case to as much as 313 miles. The Movano Electric is the first Vauxhall to offer the option of public DC charging with up to 150kW. As a result, at a public fast charging station, it only takes 55 minutes to recharge to 80 per cent of the battery capacity. AC charging is now aided by the standard inclusion of an 11kW onboard charger. If you're able to three-phase charge from a 22kW wallbox, you can replenish the entire battery in 6 hours and 5 minutes - down from the lengthy 16 hours 40 minute time you'd need from a more typical single-phase 7.4kW AC wallbox. A dedicated 'Electric Vehicle' part of the central screen enables you to plan your charging regime, plus it includes a Power Flow graphic. Finally, if you're brave enough to opt for the rare Hydrogen version, it can be refuelled in only around 5 minutes. Finding a hydrogen filling station though, could be difficult. The last time we looked, there were just 12 of these on the UK mainland. The service intervals for the Movano diesel are every two years or every 32,000 miles, whichever comes first. The service intervals for the Movano Electric are much more frequent than those of the diesel - every year or 16,000 miles, whichever comes first. All Movanos get the usual unremarkable three year 100,000 mile Vauxhall warranty and this Movano Electric also has an eight year / 100,000 mile warranty for its drive battery.

Summary

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 improved third generation version though, once more deserves a place on your shortlist. This model line now matches most of the requirements many operators will have in terms of efficiency, practicality and body choice. And there's at last a really credible all-electric option for those businesses needing it. In short, Vauxhall's biggest LCV has moved on. It'll be interesting to see if potential customers are ready to move on with it.