Vauxhall Adam Rocks Air Review

It wasn’t finished there though and with crossovers all the rage it aimed to capitalise with the Adam Rocks Air. An odd halfway SUV version of the Adam that also has a fabric sliding roof, hence the 'air' part of the name, it has no obvious rivals. It may share the chunky looks of the Fiat Panda Trekking and the open-roof design of the Fiat 500C, but if you want both those features in the one car, the Adam Rocks is in a class of one.

So, how different is it to the standard Adam? Considerably is the answer. A quick glance tells you it’s wider and taller, but also more expensive, too. 

But the even bigger news here is under the bonnet with the introduction of Vauxhall’s all-new three-cylinder engine. We know what you’re thinking – it’s a three cylinder, it’ll be noisy and rumbly.  But that's not the case here.

The new turbocharged 1.0-litre Ecotec powerplant is impressive and produces its maximum 170Nm of torque at just 1800rpm. Out on the road, the engine gives you power whenever you need it, especially in the all-important 50-70mph band. Whether it’s hills, horseboxes or motorhomes, you can deal with them all without even changing gear. 

You can also get 1.2 and 1.4-litre petrols, but neither offers the 1.0-litre's blend of mid-range shove and cheap running costs.

Two things did take us by surprise, however. The first is the high biting point of the clutch – something that you will probably get used to. Something that you won’t get used to, however, is the way the Adam Rocks Air copes with badly surfaced roads. 

Over roads packed with lumps and bumps, we found the ride to be jittery and harsh. Over speed humps, the ride is crashy and aggressive, jolting passengers around – no matter how slow you approach the obstacle. 

But let’s face it – most of the time the Adam Rocks Air will be moving in and around the so-called urban jungle. Here, style, comfort and toys are more important than a trick suspension or full-time four wheel drive.

If you're looking for the standard version, you need our Vauxhall Adam (2012-2019) review.

The cabin is nicely finished. The plastics feel durable and there’s a soft-touch dashboard covering, plus really attractive looking instrument dials and minor controls. 

There are a few problems though, including a confusingly complicated touchscreen system that is thankfully an option, rather than standard equipment. There are also plenty of parts familiar from other Vauxhalls, which are perfectly good but detract from the Adam’s bespoke-feeling cabin – as a result, it doesn't feel as special inside as a Mini 3-door or a Fiat 500.

At speed, turn-in is quick and precise with only a little deadness when the wheel is straight. Around town, the Adam is simple and easily moves in and out parking spaces and around bollards.

Helping to get the best out of the 1.0-litre engine is a new six-speed transmission. It’s positive, slick and makes for a great change. It also helps the car hit 62mph from standstill in 9.9 seconds

The 115PS 1.0-litre model is a thoroughly modern turbocharged three-cylinder design, so despite it being more powerful than the 70PS 1.2 and 87PS 1.4-litre versions, you can expect it to be slightly cheaper to run, although all models should be capable of returning 45mpg in the real world. 

Standard kit includes LED daytime running lights, remote central locking and 17-inch alloy wheels. You also get air-conditioning, DAB radio and Bluetooth. If you’re feeling flush, you can also opt for park assist and blind spot alert or upgrade to 18-inch alloys. Electronic climate control will set you back £300 while the IntelliLink ‘infotainment’ system costs £275.

The Adam Rocks Air was available with a wide range of customisable paint jobs, contrast exterior finishes and interior colours so it's worth shopping around to get one that suits your tastes.