Vauxhall VX220

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Euan Sey

April 2002

As summer draws near, demand for the latest addition to our fleet has reached an all-time high. In less than two months, the red Vauxhall VX220 has clocked up more than 3,500 miles.
The heavily sculpted body panels, glossy paintwork and striking five-spoke alloys attract plenty of the right kind of attention, as does the twin-bore optional exhaust system. With a musical range that includes everything from a pleasantly throaty burble to a race car-style rasp, the sports exhaust of our test car is worth every penny of the ΂£500 asking price.
Our new long-termer has also provided remarkably trouble-free motoring since its arrival. Once mastered, the mechanism that operates the canvas roof is extremely simple and quick to use, and proved to be totally waterproof during heavy downpours.
Buffeting at high speed is quite acceptable, although the wind noise generated by the A-pillars at speeds above 60mph renders the hard-to-reach stereo all but pointless on the motorway. So far, the VX220 has withstood the rigours of daily use well. However, one of the panels on the driver's door has worked loose and refuses to be clipped back in place. In addition, the interior is extremely difficult to keep clean. Not only do the metal slats beneath your feet trap dirt, the cabin's ventilation system does a poor job of filtering out dust and debris - a problem we have ingeniously overcome by fitting a woollen sock over the intake pipe.
Our last complaint concerns the driving position. Sitting so low in the car may make you feel like Juan Pablo Montoya, but it doesn't seem so good when oncoming headlights are glaring straight in your eyes. The car's range is limited, too; at an average of 27.5mpg, it gets through a tank of petrol every 240 miles.
But given the richly rewarding driving experience, these are minor gripes. When it comes to steering feel, chassis dynamics and exhilaration, only the Lotus Elise gets close at this price. If you like your thrills raw, and enjoy travelling light, few cars make you smile quicker than this one.