Vauxhall Adam review
The Vauxhall Adam has the style to compete with the MINI and A1, but it lacks a little driving sparkle
The Vauxhall Adam takes the fight to a new breed of premium superminis like the Fiat 500, Citroen DS3, Audi A1 and, of course, the MINI. It has the looks to compete, too - Vauxhall hasn't followed the retro approach of its rivals, but instead opted for cute styling for an overall look that's not unlike a smaller A1. The Adam is priced well, as are the myriad options you can choose form – there are 30,000 combinations in total. There’s not much space inside but the quality is top notch. However, the drive isn’t especially exciting, the ride errs on the firm side (especially if you opt for the larger wheels) and the steering lacks feel.
Our choice: Adam 1.4 Jam
Styling
Vauxhall’s design team have avoided comparisons with the MINI and Fiat 500 by going for a more modern look, not unlike a slightly smaller Audi A1. It works well, too, incorporating the latest version of Vauxhall’s family face, including winged grille and over-sized Griffin badge, as well as distinctive LED running lights. There’s even the familiar blade creases in the doors, just like on the Astra GTC. With a wide combination of (oddly named) colours and contrasting roof colours, the Adam is all about personalisation, inside and out.
Driving
The Adam’s sporty looks aren’t translated into an especially sporty drive. There’s plenty of grip and a firm ride, but the steering offers next to no feedback of what’s happening to the front tyres. On the plus side, it is quick and light, which helps on busy city streets. Then there’s the engines, which Vauxhall describes as tried and tested. Or old. They’re plodders with little sparkle, although they are reasonably refined. Thankfully, a more characterful 1.0 three-cylinder engine will join the line-up soon.
Reliability
Vauxhall’s standing in the Driver Power owner satisfaction survey has risen greatly over the past 12 months, finishing a decent 13th in the 2012 results - up from 29th in 2011. That’s born from efforts to improve the dealer network as much as the reliability of the cars themselves. Vauxhall also has its lifetime warranty to take care of anything that does go wrong, as long as your car is cared for properly and doesn’t cover starship mileages. Safety-wise, the Adam comes complete with a full roster of airbags, plus plenty of electronic intervention systems to keep you safe. It hasn't yet been crash tested by Euro NCAP, but it is expected to receive a full five-star rating.
Practicality
Don’t buy a Vauxhall Adam for practicality and you won’t be disappointed. While there’s plenty of space for the driver and front passenger - including plenty of cubby holes and cup holders - things aren’t so rosy in the rear. Getting in is okay with seats that slide forward, but head and legroom is tight for small adults and probably just about okay for children. Likewise, the boot is deep and wide but not very long. Although the seats fold, they leave a large step in the boot floor. In short, the boot is best for occasional use only.
Running Costs
Where MINIs, Audi A1s and Citroen DS3s all have models that dip below the 100g/km mark, the lowest the Adam goes is 118g/km. All three engines (the two 1.4s and the 1.2) deliver broadly similar average economy of around 55mpg, which isn’t especially good these days. However, Vauxhall is refusing to fit a diesel engine on the grounds of cost – it doesn’t think buyers want or need it. Other running costs should be reasonable, especially with Vauxhall’s ground-breaking lifetime warranty providing peace of mind.
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My Astra GTC 1.6t struggles to achieve 30mpg...55mpg is pretty impressive, no matter what car it is. Looks decent & will probably sell very well
Doesn't look decent. That's a decent nose, that's a decent glass house and those are decent fenders but when they come together they don't make a decent looking car.
It did strike me that it was possible to identify styling influences from a number of other vehicles. Levent Taskan is surely right to observe that they don't blend well together
I'm confused. The 'First drive' in the magazine refers to the "well-weighted steering and brakes, which give you the confidence to chuck the Adam around...", which seems to be at odds with this test here?
Back end is a dead ringer for a Ford KA mk1, front looks like an ever uglier version of the latest Micra. Combination makes it look awful. To top it off, they call it the Adam...
AE, you have 3 clearly articulated reasons why this could not possibly be a 4-star car. There is something seriously wrong with your judging/grading system.
Against:
No space, lacks dynamic sparkle, engines are dated.
And all the constructive criticism, and acerbic comments, have been deleted, unless you've run the same article in about 3 issues of the online mag. I, earlier, seriously questioned calling a car a 'Slam'. Its also well known jargon for sticking drugs in your arm. Where do the idiot designer/name-givers have their heads??
This car will sell in its millions.
Its young.
Fairly stylish.
And is aimed at the right market.
The only down side is Vauxhalls list price. Get Real.
Erm, how can you award this car 4.5 stars for styling, when its that same styling/design that really shocks the car down to a 2+2? It may be okay to shamelessly plagiarise the design/style from Audi, but does the A1 suffer the same terrible lack of rear [head-room] space? Does some airhead, at Opel, or Vauxhall, really think a Jam or a Slam is trendy/chic/lookatme?? How completely lacking in imagination. And what's with the nonsense of "oh please dont compare me to a Mini or 500"? Hot air from a handicapped designer?? I seriously hope your Govt has signed-off plans to resurrect the Scrapage Plan, because there are going to be tonnes of dead metal round in about 5 years, and not all Adams
Vauxhall got the looks right with Adam but fitting it with old Corsa engines does this car no favours.
Agree - style-free blob that fails on all counts.
You can tell this car is aimed at the young.
it will sell by the shed load.
As for the reviewers complaint of lack of rear space. Has she driven the fiat 500 or Ford Ka?
The problem with the Brits is we listen to lazy British journos with an axe to grind.If this had only been sold under the Opel badge the reviews would have been far more positive. German=better.Nuff said.
It looks like and old Ford Ka! defo needs a rework, Vauxhall should watch out with this one, it could cost them!
I'll second that, Gross oversight on their part!
Yet more Eurojunk! Why anybody buys any of them I do not know.
Significantly, sales of Silver Cross prams have just shown a sudden significant rise. Could it be that Adam owners see the need to match the style of baby carriage to that of their new car?
Kind of a cross between an old Citroen Pluriel and an even older Mk1 Ford Ka with engines and technology from the same era....Avoid!