The vauxhall zafira - smart family motoring!

I remember it well. We were a lovely four person family. Myself, and my wife and our two kids. We had a lovely home, and a nice Toyota Avensis sitting in the drive. All was well in our lives, until we saw the blue line once again! Yes, that right, there was another giksy21 on the way! After the initial shock, and joy of course, we started to think of more practical things. our beloved Avensis just would not cut it anymore.

If you know anything about cars, and the changes made a few years back in terms of the laws involved with car seats, then you will know that a saloon is not really good enough. If you have three kids, who all still need car seats, then you cannot fit them safely in the back. The handbrake of a saloon goes through the centre of the car itself, leading to the raised centre you get in the back seat. So, even if your car is wide enough to take three car seats accross, then you are left with the middle seat sitting too high, and not being secure enough.

So, off we drove. We took our little car to the dealers, and chose ourselves a new one. Although a five seater would have done us (something like a scenic, which has five indidual seats.), we went for the luxury of a seven seater. We thought it would be handy for taking our kids little friends in too. Also, planning ahead, just in case we see another little blue line in the future! Several deals, and handshakes later, we were driving off in our nearly new, little red Zafira.

1. Performance and handling ................................

The Zafira, is not the largest MPV on the market. And, while the 1.6 is good for city driving, and normal trips, it does drag a little when the car is fully loaded. Don't pick a route, with too many steeps hills, if you have seven people, a couple of suitcases and a bucket and spade! Although the 1.6 is suitable for my needs, perhaps the better option would have been to go for the 1.8, if not the 1.9 turbo diesel. Both of these would have had no issues, in terms of power.

As stated, the cars body is quite small, in comparison to other MPV's. As such, the car handles very well. It feels tight, and smooth. Some MPV's feel very heavy, and are awkward to manouvere. The same cannot be said for the Zafira, which is very easy to park. Now, that is saying something, as by a rule I do not like to parallel park anything! This also gives the Zafira as sense of fun, meaning it drives more like a saloon than many of the others out there. The springs seem to be pretty hard, meaning that although the ride is comfortable, it can be a bit shaky on bumpier roads. This is particularly noticed when going over speedbumps. That said, overall I think that the car drives well. We are getting around the magic forty to the gallon. So it is pretty economical, fun to drive, but the 1.6 just does not have enough umph for me.

Performance and handling 7/10

2. In the cockpit ......................................

The drivers seat can be adjusted, both forward and back, and up and down. Also the steering column can be adjusted, meaning anyone can drive one of these. I am not the tallest, and can easily get comfortable. My mother has also driven my car, and she is five foot tall! Wing mirrors are electic, and are large enough to give a good field of vision. The same cannot be said of the corners of the car beside the windscreen. There is a small window here, which is surrounded by a large column of the chassis. This can make vision slightly obscured, and care must be taken when going around tighter bends.

The controls are all laid out well, and there are no shocks to be found. Everything is functional, but potentially a little bland. Nothing here makes you scream about the quality, though it does do its job. The radio controls are a bit fiddly, and there is no steering wheel mounted controls. Temptation is always there to look down at it, and of course, this is not a good idea! The only other point to be made here, is that there are a lot of little nooks and crannies, in which dust settles easily. The car is hard to keep clean!

In the cockpit 6/10

3. What kit do you get?..............................

The life model, is close to the basement of Zafira's. All models come with air con, cd player, electric front windows and remote central locking as standard. But, with the Life thats all you get. Everything else is very basic, and quite often leaves you looking for more. If money allows, then go for a higher end model.

Kit 5/10

4. space and ease of use.............................

I think that we are now entering the Zafira's comfort zone. The car is neat and tidy on the outside, but is somewhat of a tardis. Inside the passengers compartment, there is ample room for whatever load you have. The seats in the back consist of one long seat, which can be slid forward to touch the drivers seat, or right back dependant on size. This seat can be plit in two, allowing for more storage, for the sacrifice of two seats. Behind this are two smaller seats, that can be folded right down to form the floor of the car, or put up to give you you sixth and seventh seat. These seats are quite small, and are only really suitable for children. Behind this is a fair sized boot. It is easily big enough to take our three kids, my neice and nephew, and a load of shopping.

The main down side is that the space is very basic. Like the dash, although it is functional, it is not exciting enough. The space is used well, but without making you too comfortable. There is plenty of scope for the hidden extras, that some of the more luxury MPV's out there have. That said, the seating arrangments are functional, and very easy to move. It will not take you too long to set the car up for whatever your need is.

space, and ease of use 8/10

5. Quality, and finish...............................

As you may have heard already, the car is pretty basic. It does what I need, but may not have enough pizzaz for some. Ours is finished with a rather dull grey plastic, and the odd wee bit of chrome thrown in. It does not look as good as it could. However, as with all Vauxhall's, you are getting something that will last. Everything is very durable, and this was a big plus point for me. My kids are very good at destroying things. I sometimes think of hiring them out as a band of mercenaries. I am sure, though, that they cannot possibly break anything in here. All I need now, is a little soundproof barrier!

Quality, and finish 7/10

6. Safety and security............................

You are well and truly surrounded with cotton wool! The car has a five star crash rating, and has twin airbags, and side impact protection. There are blanket airbags for the seats behind, and the car comes with deadlocks, and engine immobilizer as standard. There is very little to worry about, and in the event of an accident, you are as protected as any MPV out there.

Safety and security 9/10

7. Reliability....................................

I have had the car over a year. I have had no issues. Vauxhall usually perform very well, in terms of reliability. Also in the event of something going wrong, parts are generally not as expensive as most. Having read around on the subject, I believe the engines are pretty tough, and are better equipped to handle anything that is thrown at them. Also, the fact that the car itself is pretty basic, means that there is less to go wrong. In my opinion, you are getting a basic car, but one that will last you almost forever. Also this is reflected in the price, as it is one of the more reasonable MPS's around

reliability 9/10
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Overall 51/70

What you see, is what you get. The main point lost by this car, are aesthetic ones. If you are looking for a real looker, that will turn head then look away. You may want a new Galaxy, or an Altea XL. But, if you want a practical, and somewhat indestructable car then this is right up your street. With starting prices of £13,995, you can get on the MPV ladder relatively cheaply, and as with all Vauxhall's they dont depreciate too quickly.

Zafira - does exactly what it says on the tin!