Skip advert
Advertisement

Vauxhall Adam 1.4 Slam

The Vauxhall Adam has already impressed, but now we drive the new MINI rival as it hits UK roads

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Vauxhall Adam
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

It's going to be tough for Vauxhall to take on the MINI and Fiat 500 head-on, but based on this UK drive, we can see absolutely no reason for the Adam not to succeed. It’s at least a match for its rivals in the style stakes, and betters both when it comes to standard equipment. The Adam’s handling isn’t quite up to the MINI’s and Fiat’s TwinAir engine is much better, but in almost every other respect Vauxhall has got it spot-on.

Advertisement - Article continues below

With its bright colours, quirky name and endless personalisation options, the Vauxhall Adam is clearly aimed squarely at the Fiat 500 and the MINI. And now the first cars have begun to arrive in the UK, we’ve had a chance to find out exactly what Vauxhall is hoping will make the car stand out.

On the streets of London, the Adam turned heads in a way that its rivals simply can’t now they’re so common. The low-set grille, floating roofline and elegant C-pillar all play a part in helping the car fit right into a category where style is all-important.

Our car is a range-topping Slam model, so it gets 17-inch alloy wheels as standard, along with front and rear LED lights and a two-tone paintjob. But by Adam standards, this is still actually quite plain.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

2 Series Gran Coupe

2024 BMW

2 Series Gran Coupe

21,623 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £27,088
View 2 Series Gran Coupe
Yaris Cross

2024 Toyota

Yaris Cross

10,500 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £23,046
View Yaris Cross
MX-5

2019 Mazda

MX-5

15,600 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £15,626
View MX-5
Qashqai

2022 Nissan

Qashqai

27,874 milesManualPetrol1.3L

Cash £17,984
View Qashqai

Vauxhall offers a choice of 20 alloy wheel designs. Then there’s the creatively named and vivid palette of colours, ranging from I’ll Be Black to James Blonde, which can be paired with a white, black or body-coloured roof.

The same goes for the interior, which comes with body-coloured inserts and a choice of three headliners. Soft-touch plastics on the dashboard and chunky switches help create the feel of a premium product, but the hard plastics on top of the door panels are a little disappointing.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Space is also a letdown. The 171-litre boot is tiny, and the rear seats are cramped for anyone approaching six feet tall. On the plus side, the £275 Intellink system is fantastic, incorporating an easy-to-use touchscreen in the centre console.

On the road, the Adam does a perfectly good job as a city car, with nippy acceleration at low speeds and quick, darty handling that’s far better than the Fiat 500’s. However, even with our Slam’s firmer standard sports suspension, the car isn’t as much fun as a MINI.

We’d love to pull a TwinAir engine out of Fiat’s 500 and stick it under the bonnet of the Adam, because the 86bhp 1.4-litre petrol we tested was a bit short on character. It’ll also cost more to run. Even our stop-start-equipped car managed only 55.4mpg and 119g/km. In contrast, the 500 TwinAir claims 68.9mpg and 95g/km.

With prices starting from £11,255, the Adam sits in between the cheaper Fiat and the more expensive MINI. Its trump card – apart from the impressive tech and endless options – is its very generous standard equipment. Even basic Jam models come with air-con, central locking, Bluetooth, alloy wheels, DAB, cruise control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £3,135 off RRP*
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,763 off RRP*Used from £11,895
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,038 off RRP*Used from £13,157
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £7,362 off RRP*Used from £11,990
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports
MST Ford Escort - front 3/4

Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports

While not officially Fords, the MST Mk1 and Mk2 Sports should drive as sharply as they look
News
7 Jul 2025
New Mazda CX-5 revealed with fresh looks, more space and far fewer buttons
Mazda CX-5 - front

New Mazda CX-5 revealed with fresh looks, more space and far fewer buttons

The Mazda CX-5 has been revolutionised to take on the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson
News
10 Jul 2025