4. Vauxhall Zafira

Vauxhall Zafira (2005 onwards model)

How many people do you know with five children? I struggle to think of anybody I know with more than three children, or more than two siblings. I’m the youngest of three; which is a fairly unusual number in these days of shrinking family sizes.

New Vauxhall Zafira

Not that the car manufacturers seem to be paying attention. They seem to think that we’re all breeding like rabbits, with more seven seaters available to buy now than ever before. It’s not dodgy demographers to blame though, it’s all Vauxhall’s fault. When Vauxhall introduced the Zafira back in 1999 into the relatively new compact MPV market it caused a revolution in the class. The innovative, yet delightfully simple Flex7 seating truly setting standards in interior space utilisation and packaging among the new compact MPV class. While seven seats were nothing new in 1999 in so-called full-sized MPVs, Vauxhall had taken a fresh look at the concept to fit it into the compact MPV. It did so by folding the rearmost pair into the boot floor usefully out of the way when not in use.

The result was extraordinary, their innovative approach resulting not only in Vauxhall claiming a huge slice of the seven-seat MPV market as their own, but also sending rival manufacturers back to their design studios to hastily create rivals.

That’s why today there are now so many out there. But few do it as well as the Zafira. However, it’s been around for long enough now for Vauxhall to have a rethink and give us a new Zafira. Few could ever get too excited about the old car’s styling, so with this one Vauxhall has smartened it up, the new bolder head and tail lamps and sharper body creases making for a slightly more appealing, if still rather conservative look. It’s not able to claim to be revolutionary inside either, it did that back in 1999. What Vauxhall has done is improve the areas that needed improving, like the driving position, and left the rest largely alone.

Obviously it’s now based on the new Astra platform which means the Zafira can now be had with its IDS-plus (Intelligent Driving System) with its Continuous Damping Control, and the optional SportSwitch which improves accelerator and steering response for a more involving drive. But forget all that, it’s a competent enough drive without all the fancy acronyms.

Engines

Borrowing heavily from the Astra’s wide range of engines and transmissions, four petrol units and two turbodiesels are offered. There’s an entry 1.6-litre Twinport delivering 105bhp, a 1.8-litre Ecotec with 140bhp, a 150bhp 2.2-litre direct injection engine and a turbocharged 2.0-litre unit with 200bhp. That engine will form the basis for the range-topping 240bhp VXR model for school mums and dads in a hurry, which arrives later this year. Fun as that VXR model might sound it’ll be outsold countless times over by the Zafira’s diesel alternatives. With around 60% of Zafira sales being diesels Vauxhall offers two versions with its impressive 1.9 CDTi engine with outputs of either 120, or 150bhp. The former being available mated to a new six-speed automatic transmission.

We drove three versions, the 200bhp petrol and the two diesels, the lower power version mated to the automatic transmission. While the 2.0-litre turbo provided plenty thrills with its impressive 9 second 0-60mph time, its rather frenetic pace is at odds with the Zafira’s otherwise relaxed nature. With its stiffer suspension and larger wheels it never felt as composed as the lesser models, feeling fidgety and demanding constant attention on poorly surfaced roads. The new higher mounted gearshift in the 200bhp turbo also lacks the precision of that in the 150bhp turbodiesel, it being more troublesome to engage smoothly in this installation, making for a fast if slightly disappointing drive.

The diesels are a different proposition though. Their plentiful torque at low revs demands less haste when changing gear resulting in a smoother shift. Opt for the smaller output version with the automatic for an easy life though, the self-shifter changing cogs almost imperceptibly. Both diesels impress with their refinement and on road composure. The suspension smothering poor surfaces while retaining excellent body control and poise through the corners and the engines remain quiet even when pushed hard - which they never need to be. Given the Zafira’s increased height over its Astra relative, its largely similar handling is an impressive achievement.

Neither of the diesels give away much in performance to the 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine either. The 150bhp turbodiesel manages 60mph in just 10.5 seconds, which is only a second and a half to 60mph slower than the petrol. Shear sprinting ability here is a largely academic measure as in the real-world mid-range acceleration is far more telling. Here both the diesel choices claw back an advantage, their ample torque making is presence felt, with the 150bhp version matching 200bhp petrol’s 6.0 second 30-60mph slog in fourth gear and the 120bhp version not far behind at 6.8 seconds. The final argument for the diesels though is consumption. Both deliver official combined consumption figures of 45-46mpg; the closest petrol alternatives in the range offering around 10mpg less, while CO2 emissions are also significantly lower.

Inside

Those diesels may be the sensible choice, but this is after all a sensible family car. As such the interior remains as functional as ever, but it now all feels much better built. The materials in the cabin exude a quality look and feel, proving a vast improvement over the previous car. There’s more storage space in there than you could ever possibly need too, with up to 30 cubbies around the cabin depending on the specification. Passenger space is good, we managed to seat adults in all three rows of seats making it a credible six-seater. More likely though is its role as a child carrie and here the it’ll carry five children in the rear with relative ease.

Do so and you’ll have no space to carry anything else though, the Zafira for all its clever seating still not able to solve the problem of all compact MPVs; that being carrying luggage and passengers at the same time. However, remove your human cargo and the Zafira is a cavernous load carrier, with up to 1,820 litres of luggage space with all the seats stowed, or 645 litres in five-seater format. Tick the option box for Vauxhall’s useful, and shamefully not standard FlexOrganiser and the Zafira’s boot proves hugely versatile. You might have to option the useful FlexOrganiser in the Zafira but otherwise its equipment is fairly comprehensive across the range.

All come with extensive safety equipment, allowing the Zafira to score a five-star Euro NCAP score, though we’d consider only suggest Club models and above as they also include full-size curtain airbags, alloy wheels, steering wheel audio controls and body coloured bumpers and door handles. The range starts at the headline-grabbing figure of £12,995, but for the best compromise on equipment levels, and those curtain airbags the Club models represent a true starting point at £15,195.

Verdict

With its smarter new looks, increased safety, car-like dynamics and better quality, yet similarly versatile interior the new Zafira retains its predecessor’s position as the best compact 7 seater on the market. Sure, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever use those extra seats in the rear, but when did you actually ever have to actually need something to want it? The Zafira’s trick is that it’s a good car in its own right without the seven seats, that it offers them is just something of a bonus - particularly if you’re feeling frisky.