Vauxhall Viva in-depth review - Carbuyer

The Vauxhall Viva has returned! However it's now a compact five-door city car aimed at stealing sales from the Hyundai i10, VW up! and Peugeot 108 (and all of their associated sister cars). It comes with a 1.0-litre engine in three trim levels, while there's an economical Viva ecoFLEX to opt for as well.

Watch the video to see how it compares with its rivals.

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Every week, Carbuyer's YouTube channel brings you simple and entertaining reviews on every major make and model that's available for sale in the UK. Plus you'll find frequently-updated top 10 features and the occasional group test for good measure.

[mattw]

It stops, it starts, it keeps the rain off. Fits the bill!

[ilovesheryterry]

Even if the rear windows are not electric, the fact that they go down makes it better than many of it competitors that only have pop out windows (up, mii, citigo, 108, c1, aygo...)

[maartendemuynck]

At long last! I've waited like a million years for this review ...

[robinschnepp]

We have a Viva as a second car for doing the school run and then driving to and from work on an A road. Can't really knock it at all - it's more than capable on the open road if you use the gears properly, and absolutely fine for zipping round country lanes and stop/starting on the school run.
I honestly don't understand why they have such negative reviews...?

[manofculture]

So I recently got this car, despite complaints on not being powerful enough for the motorway.
Meanwhile, I seem to get to 60mph and above just fine 🤔.
Motorways and country roads are no problem at all.

Of course, I'm not expecting BMW results.
Really don't get the negative reviews 🤔

[torresalex]

I had this car as a rental for a holiday in Italy and I loved it. I prefer it to the hyundai i10 though the hyundai was more spacious. The Viva (or Karl, as it's called in Europe) got me 54mpg in mixed driving, mostly city and motorway. I thought it was a great car.

[HB-lnrt]

Viva SE model ; Can remove the back seats completely in this model which is a big bonus as many other cars can't. Real Air-conditioning too. Blue-tooth so you can link up your phone and play your own music. Telephone flashes on the screen to when calling in and can switch on and off the phone using the buttons on the steering wheel. Not so powerful going up hills but it still is nippy around town and has a great wheel turning ratio in a small space. Yes, it's economical.

[michaelweaver]

Its a great little car...iI've driving them in the US as a Chevrolet Spark. 10 out of 10 and great value.

[desireubensealey]

"Keep fit windows" LOL Nice one +Carbuyer

[MHansen]

My girlfriend owns this car. It's not that bad - it has quite a lot of features at a cheap price, and the built quality is pretty good :P

[jclfreitas]

I was a little shocked when I heard that road tax for it is 20 quid/year. In Portugal I pay € 105 on mine. Quite a privilege to own a luxury car like that in this country.

[stephenharvey]

Good car, stylish, well equipped and easy to park.

[axores]

people still calling transmission tunnel but actually is exhaust pipe tunnel? in some cars like bmw Mercedes-Benz and some more yes is transmission tunnel, not this one. :)

[sevesellors]

Wonderful little car had mine 7 years reliable and cheap to run also held its value in fact financially the best car I have ever had and I’ve had some very nice premium cars. Great review too.

[Phil_the_van]

I have one and my mother has one, only let down is hills, and when it rains your dash goes off like a disco and shows code 68 power steering but theres nothing wrong does it in my mothers too!

[hyylo]

i think the KIA and Hyundai city cars offer more for your money. more space and 7 year warranty.

[pieslicedham]

2:52 sums up this car's build quality really...

[jamesgreen]

My mother just traded her corsa for a viva full spec inc full leather interior great car to drive I driven it from Lincolnshire to Heathrow and back in a day no issues in 6ft 4 v comfortable

[saxonlord]

A nice little motor and better looking than the Ka Plus and VW Up which looks like a fridge on wheels.

[roblex]

love that intro, nearly as much as i love his trousers..