The all-new Vauxhall Meriva compact MPV has caught the eye with its unusual rear-hinged doors, a first in the sector but probably not the last, if even more recent like the Ford B-MAX is anything to go by.
The doors - known colloquially as suicide doors - are immediately noticeable and rebranded as Flexdoors here. Vauxhall says they improve access to rear seats, a suggestion that's patently true and an obvious move for people carriers like this.
Such rear-hinged doors have always brought with them a fear that the doors may be forced open the car starts travelling. On the Meriva, when the car is travelling at more than two miles an hour the doors automatically lock tight and a warning system notifies the driver when the doors are not closed.
The Meriva's Flexdoors are an innovative and genuinely useful feature, rarely seen on cars and never before seen on an MPV. It creates a 'safe zone' on the pavement for families too, says Vauxhall, while it also lends a dash of style to the Meriva, sporting this feature that is normally only seen on far more sporty or expensive models.
However, the doors become a little less desirable in tight car-parking spaces, where they can trap passengers in the safe zone. Perhaps 'secure zone' is more apt.
The flex theme continues inside, with a Flexseat system that allows owners to slide or fold down the three rear seats independently, or fold down the centre seat to improve room for the two rear passengers, turning the Meriva into a roomy coupe. Sort of.
There are a number of configurations in the Meriva - aping the success of the flexible seat system in the larger Zafira - and it's an easy-to-use and practical approach to loading the family and luggage on board.
The new Meriva is longer than the previous model and it's taller than you might expect, so the newcomer boasts 400 litres of storage space that extend to a huge 1,500-litres with all seats folded.
Completing the flex theme, a Flexrail system means items can be passed back and forth on a rail between front and rear, though this may be where the Flex theme veers into gimmickry for the sake of it. Has passing something to another passenger in a car really been such a problem that it demanded its own solution?
The Meriva's interior is a big stride forward from the previous model, echoing the strides evident on the new Insignia and Astra over the models they replaced.
The similarities do not end there. The Meriva uses the same chassis as the new Astra, making for a surprisingly engaging drive even though the new model is noticeably larger than the previous Meriva.
There's a feeling of stability on the road and refinement is strong too, as it usually is on Vauxhall models.
The Meriva is a car the family can spend a lot of time in, both in terms of the quality and size of the interior - and its ride comfort.
Some body roll is detectable in the corners and the steering doesn't give sufficient feedback, although the Meriva corners competently.
A wide range of engines includes the excellent 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine that officially returns over 40mpg and emits 156g/km, though we have our doubts over how achievable the mileage figure is.
It's no hair shirt, however, and provides lively performance through the six-speed manual box, with almost 140bhp and 150lb-ft to play with.
The Meriva trades more practicality for just a little more bulk over the Astra. But it's not such compromise as the previous model and it wraps its clever-clever features in a good-looking package.
However, it's not a particularly cheap package. The 1.4 SE model we tested would cost almost £20,000. There's a lot of car in the Meriva, but it pays to sit down and do some serious maths before it becomes an automatic purchase.
Cheaper models will come it at around £13,000, which may cut out a few bells and whistles - and remove the 1.4 Turbo petrol from the equation - but will make more financial sense.
