Vauxhall Zafira Expression 1.6i 16v VVT 5dr Car Review - March 2012

The Zafira's 1.6-litre petrol engine develops 113 bhp at 6000 rpm and 114 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. This translates into a 0-62mph time of 12.5 seconds and a top speed of 115mph. While this doesn't sound too bad in black and white, the car feels very slow and heavy and you'd be well advised to plump for one of the more powerful versions.

The handling is very good considering the Zafira's size and height and it grips well through the bends. It's not sporty, just very competent. The car also rides very well without being too soft.

There is a bit of wind noise at high speeds but the engine is nicely hushed and the Zafira is a very competent motorway mile muncher.

The Zafira is fairly stylish for a people carrier but that really isn't saying much. It is not a good looking car, but that's the price you pay for practicality. The interior is a little sombre and drab but it feels well put together.

Standard equipment on this model includes power steering, central locking, stability control, electric door mirrors, electric front windows and a stereo with CD player. Modern luxuries such as a built-in sat nav, Bluetooth connectivity, MP3 connectivity for the stereo, climate control and cruise control are not available as options – something which could act as a deterrent to drivers.

Practicality is the Zafira's middle name. Its seats can be folded and repositioned to accommodate luggage and a varying number of passengers.

The cabin is fairly spacious for the front and middle row passengers but the two rear seats are only really suitable for children. The boot capacity varies greatly depending on the number of passengers in the car, with just 140 litres available when all the seats are in place. This expands to an impressive 1,820 litres when the seats are folded down.

The Zafira comes with plenty of safety kit as standard including driver, passenger and front side airbags whilst an immobiliser is fitted to protect the car from theft.

The safety credentials of the Zafira are fairly high and the car scored a top five star rating in the NCAP crash tests for occupant safety. Reliability is also expected to be high and the car is covered by a 100,000 mile warranty to give buyers the assurances which they need.

Priced at just £13,995 this car is one of the most affordably priced people carriers on the market and undercuts its rivals by a significant amount. Naturally there are some compromises on style and in-car features but, for those willing to make these sacrifices, the Zafira offers fantastic value for money.

Running costs are fairly average for this class of car with the fuel efficiency of 42.2 mpg neither poor nor brilliant. Road tax is likely to be a little steep falling under tax band G due to high carbon emissions of 157 g/km but this is far from the most expensive on the market. Insurance premiums fall under bracket 12 and are therefore more than manageable and the Zafira also benefits from fairly strong resale values which, whilst not quite as high as those of its rivals, still manage to make this a wise investment for families.