Reviews - Vauxhall

Overall Rating

This Astra-based midi-MPV is affordable to buy and own, and it offers seven-seater capacity that beats most rivals five seats. It's practical, flexible, very family-friendly and usually reliable.

• Very flexible passenger/load layouts
• Seven seats beat Picasso, Scenic and C-Max
• Inexpensive to buy and run

• Old 2.0 Di is sluggish
• Rear seats are tight except for small kids
• Base spec cars lacked ABS and air con

Zafira fits seven seats into a body that's almost the same length as an Astra estate. It does it using the clever 'Flex-7' fold-away seating system, freeing up load space when you?re not carrying a full crew of family and friends. This feature puts it ahead of Picasso, Scenic and most other midi-MPV rivals. Based on the 1998-04 Astra, Zafira is fairly cheap to run and increasingly cheap to buy. Used prices start at under £5000. The interior is airy and roomy for five plus luggage but you'll need a roof box for holidays with all seats in use. The 1.6 16v engine that works well in Astra is slightly overwhelmed by Zafira's extra weight; the 1.8 16v is preferable. The 2.0 Di diesel is sluggish. The 2.0 Turbo and 2.2 16v are lively. Easy to drive with a high driving position, Zafira feels quite nimble despite unavoidable body roll.

JD Power stars: 3

NCAP: 3

Best Models: 2.0 GSi Turbo, 2.0 DTi

Worst Models: 1.6 Club

Replacement: In 2005 by current Zafira

• Citroen Xsara Picasso
• Ford Focus C-Max
• Renault Scenic (1997-03-)