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Vauxhall Zafira Tourer

The Zafira Tourer gets a bolder look and better quality, so how does it compare to the big-selling S-MAX?

Vauxhall Zafira Tourer front tracking

Text: Paul Bond / Photos: Pete Gibson

January 2012

There’s a lot riding on the latest version of the seven-seat Zafira. Vauxhall has taken the bold decision to transform its stalwart people carrier from a workhorse into a sleek and desirable alternative to pricier SUVs and the popular Ford S-MAX. So has the gamble paid off?

It certainly has on the style front, where the new Zafira successfully pulls together design cues from across the company’s current range. The angular front end with its ‘boomerang’-style headlights is inspired by the forthcoming Ampera electric car, while the upswept side blades along the doors are borrowed from the svelte Astra GTC coupe.

The overall effect is striking and really makes the Vauxhall stand out compared to the likes of the VW Sharan and SEAT Alhambra. This flair comes at a price, though; the 17-inch alloys and LED rear lights are costly optional extras on our test model.

Interior quality has taken a huge step forward over the previous Zafira. There are more soft-touch materials than before, as well as classy details like the soft ambient lighting and an attractive, if slightly fussy, dash.

Visibility is good, too, with a glass area in the A-pillars and a wide rear screen giving the driver an excellent view out. Fit and finish is on a par with the class leaders from Ford and VW, while practicality is as strong as ever.

The Zafira’s new Flex7 seating system is simple to use – switching between five and seven seat-layouts is easy. All the seats in the middle row slide independently, but the rearmost seats are strictly for children, as head and legroom are severely limited. Still, with only five seats in place the Zafira can carry 710 litres of luggage; fold the middle row, and this rises to 1,858 litres. However, the Ford S-MAX has a maximum capacity of 2,000 litres.

The boot floor is completely flat as well, and combines with the low loading lip and wide tailgate to give the Zafira greater flexibility than a traditional estate.

We drove this 163bhp flagship diesel on the European launch (Issue 1,187), and the slow throttle response and long gearing can make the car feel sluggish. But it provides plenty of in-gear punch and the rough initial edge to the engine note settles down on the move.

If economy is a top priority, you may want to look at other models in the range, but this car is still impressively efficient. Stop-start comes as standard, so it returns a respectable 54.3mpg and emits only 137g/km of CO2.

Out on the road, the Zafira shows good composure given its size, changing direction smoothly in corners with little body roll. The trade-off is a ride that feels bouncy on the motorway. Opt for bigger alloys, and this is likely to be even more of a problem. But while the Zafira is competent enough, it lacks the dynamic sparkle of rivals like the S-MAX. The steering is accurate, but the notchy manual gearbox will deter keen drivers.

The other problem is price. Our Exclusiv model isn’t that well equipped, but still costs over £1,500 more than the spacious Ford C-MAX. And while it undercuts bigger seven-seaters like the Alhambra, the Vauxhall is nowhere near as roomy.

For an alternative review of the latest Vauxhall Zafira visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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6 Comments

Ohhhh Noooo

Dreadful looks, designed in the dark, style (??) over hmmm, not sure .
Ghastly.

By Richardcr on 26 January, 2012, 10:06am

Cabin looks like a chinese not so good replica of the c-max...The gap on the airbag cover is something I wouldn't want to actually look for example. And that front'end...Playmobile!

Torsion beam on the back, again?

By giorikas81 on 26 January, 2012, 10:27am

zo far off the mark zafira

is it my imagination or have all car makers totally lost the plot? what a pig ugly monstrosity, slow, ugly, overpriced, under-equipped, crap dynamics apparently, no space equated to its size? i'd really love to see the real world MPG returns, heavy, underpowered etc. you would do well to see 25+mpg. what a complete waste of time ?

By brendan on 27 January, 2012, 5:46pm

james

I thought i was looking at a citroen , totaly yuk , in a front end crash or bad stone hit i bet those horrible lights cost a lot to replace even if they are plastic , what ever happened to marque identity ? the original is miles better to look at , and the price , if i wanted one now i would by the kia better warranty , and not that much to choose from in the looks dept totaly omg

By dusenbergh52 on 29 January, 2012, 3:25pm

Better looking but too expensive

I may be in the minority, but I reckon this is far better looking and proportioned that the old car. Finally, the impractical rear bench has made way for individual seating as in most rivals. So far so good. However, I don't quite understand Vauxhall's pricing of this car and naming the larger S-Max as a competitor. Leaving the old Zafira to soldier on and compete against newer rivals makes no sense.

By erly5 on 29 January, 2012, 10:21pm

Elite model

Imagine spending the extra to get the best "Elite" model and then find out that there are no roof bars and you cannot fit a roof box. This car is made for big families and many will want to put a box or a bike on the roof. Clever vauxhall do not offer this option on their top model! Who came up with that idea?

By Lowehouse on 8 February, 2012, 4:16pm

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Pictures

Vauxhall Zafira Tourer front tracking
Vauxhall Zafira Tourer rear tracking
Vauxhall Zafira Tourer dash
Vauxhall Zafira Tourer badge
Vauxhall Zafira Tourer gear lever
Vauxhall Zafira Tourer rear three-quarters
Vauxhall Zafira Tourer rear seats
Vauxhall Zafira Tourer boot

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FIRST OPINION

    It's hard not to be impressed by how far the Zafira has come. Forget the old car’s minicab image; this new model looks great and has a classy interior. But by moving it upmarket, Vauxhall has put the seven-seater in the firing line of some very stiff competition. So while it’s a capable people carrier, it doesn’t have the space or dynamics of rivals. The Ford Grand C-MAX in particular is cheaper, nearly as roomy and much better equipped – so the Zafira may struggle to make the impact Vauxhall is hoping for.

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £24,565
    Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 163bhp
    Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive 
    0-60/top speed: 9.1 seconds/129mph
    Economy/CO2: 54.3mpg/137g/km
    Equipment: Air-con, 17-inch alloys, DAB radio, multifunction steering wheel, cruise control, foglights, parking sensors 
    On sale Now
     
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