Insurance Group: 15
MPG: 39.2
CO2: 168
0-62 Mph: 10.8 secs
BHP: 138 BHP
Range: 500 miles
PROS: Spacious, comfortable, practical, well built
CONS: The diesels offer better fuel economy, the rear seats are small and there is little luggage space when all the seats are in position
The 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in the Zafira develops 138 bhp at 6300 rpm with 129 lb-ft at 3800 rpm. This means 0-62mph takes 10.8 seconds and the top speed is 122mph. The Zafira feels very nippy for such a large car and the petrol engine does a decent job of lugging the big, heavy Vauxhall around.
The Zafira has excellent road manner and feels stable and composed even under heavy acceleration. It grips well through the bends and leans much less than you'd expect it to. The ride is also very good, managing to be comfortable without being too soft. In the cabin the engine is a distant rumble and although a bit of wind and tyre noise creep into the cabin, it's not too big a deal.
The Zafira is a relatively good-looking car and has some nice finishing touches.
Standard equipment on this model includes power steering, central locking, stability control, air conditioning, electric door mirrors, alloy wheels, electric front windows and a stereo with CD player. MP3 connectivity can be added to the stereo for £90 whilst Bluetooth connectivity costs £315. Other options which become available at this trim level include climate control, an alarm, rear parking sensors and cruise control which are priced at £305, £250, £395 and £220 respectively.
On top of the features provided by the Exclusiv model the Design also offers alloy effect roof rails, rain sensitive windscreen wipers, electric rear windows, front fog lights, multi-function trip computer and additional comfort features for the driver including a driver armrest and front seat with lumbar and tilt adjustments.
The Zafira is very practical thanks to its flexible seating system. This allows the occupants to trade seating capacity for luggage space to ensure optimal use of the interior cabin space.
Of course, 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 scored top marks in the NCAP safety tests and comes fitted with driver, passenger and front side airbags as standard. An immobiliser is fitted to protect the car from theft but there is no alarm on offer.
The Zafira has so far proven to be a reliable car and it is offered with Vauxhall's 100,000 mile warranty which should put buyers' minds at ease.
Priced at £23,145 this car is still fairly affordably priced for its class but is significantly dearer than other models within the range.
Running costs are also higher than the 1.6i model with fuel efficiency of 39.2 mpg making refuelling more frequent. Road tax will be steep, falling under tax band H due to high carbon emissions of 168 g/km. Insurance premiums fall under bracket 15.
The Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 VVT 115 Expression is a very good car. It is by no means the best model in the range and the level of standard equipment is a bit basic but as a cheap, practical family car,...
The Zafira was responsible for a revolution in the MPV market when it was originally launched. Budget-conscious motorists will find this model attractive, but its relative lack of performance may l...
The Vauxhall Zafira Exclusiv 1.8i 16v offers space, practicality and better performance credentials than you'd expect. It's a bit thirsty, however, and the diesels offer much better value.
The Vauxhall Zafira was one of the original MPV cars to really make an impact on the market, and the car today still has plenty to offer the modern family, combining space and comfort in the cabin....
The Vauxhall Zafira Design 1.8i 16v is a very good choice for those looking for a spacious, practical family car. However, it's not the most fuel efficient model in the range and the diesels offer ...
You might want to read reviews for other Large MPV cars that you can then compare to the Vauxhall Zafira. Here are some popular Vauxhall Zafira alternatives:
