Torrent of praise for Vauxhall Cascada

This isn’t the company’s first attempt at drop-top motoring. Recent efforts include the smaller Astra TwinTop, but, to compete with the established premium sellers, Vauxhall has raised its ambitions. The Cascada might be cheaper than the likes of Audi’s A5 Convertible, but there’s no question the firm is targeting customers seeking mid-size, four-seat convertibles with a solid basis of comfort and refinement.

Continuing Vauxhall’s recent adoption of a smooth, streamlined approach to exterior design, the Cascada is devoid of any fussy, distracting details. And Vauxhall’s decision to opt for fabric over a metal folding roof means the designers have avoided having to graft an unsightly metal box onto the car’s rear to accommodate large metal roof panels.

And in a nod to treating Cascada owners as trustworthy grown-ups, you can operate the powered roof when on the move up to 30mph. There’s nothing like being caught out in a typically British rain shower, and at least you can keep moving while you battle the elements when in the Cascada.

The Cascada is a cruiser, not a racy sports convertible

In other respects the Cascada is similar to Vauxhall’s more conventional mid-size offerings. The cabin layout is a blend of Astra and Insignia, although to illustrate its upmarket leanings, there’s no shortage of glossy trim. Where fitted, the car’s leather seats are plush and supportive, and should further enhance its lofty position above rank-and-file hatchbacks and saloons.

This “feel good” ambience is just as obvious when on the move, with Vauxhall’s engineers pitching the Cascada as a cruiser, not a racy sports convertible. As such, the car’s plush ride does a good job of dealing with road surface imperfections and, despite the comfort orientated set-up, there’s a pleasing lack of pitch and roll through the corners.

Furthermore, lowering the roof impacts little on the overall driving experience. Even without the sizeable wind deflector in place, noise and discomfort when on the move are minimal. Placing it between the rear seats rules out space for passengers, but the trade-off ensures that even high -speed cruising is possible without the buffeting and noise usually associated with such activities.

Vauxhall’s decision to opt for fabric over metal for the Cascada’s roof has resulted in a good sized boot. Granted, the boot aperture could be a little larger, but there’s plenty of space once you’ve negotiated that hurdle. Plus, there’s a clever partition you can move to liberate even more space if you know you won’t be lowering the roof anytime soon.

Rounding off the experience is a generous selection of safety and comfort kit, such as plenty of airbags, DAB radio and the option of forward collision and lane departure warnings, traffic signs displayed on the main infotainment screen and satnav.

The Cascada also sees the introduction of a good choice of petrol and diesel engines, plus manual and automatic transmissions. Modest capacity petrol units are bolstered by more powerful and pleasingly refined diesel motors – an important consideration if you plan on running an oil-burning convertible. The flagship bi-turbo diesel’s smooth power delivery suits the Cascada’s personality well, while the turbo petrol 1.6-litre variant shouldn’t be dismissed just because it’s “only” a 1.6-litre engine.

Available in two generously equipped trim levels (SE, Elite) and boasting genuine four-seater capability, Vauxhall’s Cascada does a lot right if your priorities centre around ease of use, comfort and refinement.

VITAL STATS

CAR Vauxhall Cascada 2.0 Bi-Turbo CDTi Elite

PRICE from £23,995 on the road. Full range from £23,995 to £29,080.

PERFORMANCE Max speed 143mph, 0-62mph 8.9 seconds.

MPG (combined) 54.3mpg

CO2 EMISSIONS 138g/km