Vauxhall Zafira reviews

I used to be a bit of a Vauxhall fan, having had several in my long driving history....HOWEVER this Zaphira is without doubt the most boring uninspiring car I have ever owned, it's roomy, comfortable, and reliable ... and has no 'personality' whatsoever.

A Zafira is exceptionally practical when you have a.family. It carries up to 7 people (though with much reduced boot space). When kitted our for 5, it has a huge boot - big enough for sports equipment! I have not had any mechanical problems with my Zafira in the 4 years I have owned it.

The vehicle is second hand to me. Being automatic and almost 2 litre engine it drives easily and smoothly. Seat positioning forward and backward is easy and varied. However raising the front seat backs is not as good as could be. the main rear seats again are easily adjusted forward and backward but to lay down the seat back flatis not possible and this causes some access difficulty. The vehicle is a good family 5/7 seater, although boot space is very restricted when used with the 7 seats.

OK, so first of all I would get a Zafira with a bigger engine. Possibly a diesel, certainly a 1.8 or 2.2 - simply because the 1600 engine strains at over 3,000 revs at 60 miles per hour. Secondly, it isn't the most economical car in the world, and when we bought it from new in 2001, it would cost us nearly £40 to fill up. Now it's nearer £80. But its size and comfort are superb - we have used it for school runs, for excursions, camping trips, holidays to Europe and back. Our sons have grown up through their teenage years and University with this car (they are now all young men), and we still regularly do long return trips up the motorways and the A1 with no ill effect. The only time we have to call the AA are for tyre blow-outs (a side effect of the current urban obsession with speed bumps). As and when we get another car to replace this one, it would probably be with a Zafira again - bigger engine, so that we can keep our revs low (this one labours over 60 mph, especially when full of people and luggage).

I am very pleased with my car.It is brilliant for carrying passengers and all sorts of items. A real workhorse.

Very spacious comfortable car but fuel consumption low particularly for urban driving.

Low geared so revs quite high at motorway speeds, therefore fairly disappointing fuel figures 35mpg. However nice to drive holds the road extremely well, positive steering. Firm but comfortable seats, you don't get out stiff even after a long journey. SRI sports suspension gives very stiff and firm ride, so a bit uncomfortable on our terrible roads. Very comfortable and quiet on Motorways and all European roads! Reliable after 9 years ownership. Main dealer servicing costs very reasonable. Loads of space, great for shopping and holidays

The zafira A is the most practical MPV on the market.The 2 rear seats fold into the boot floor unlike others that have to be physically removed and stored so if on occasion your away from home and need the extra seats you have them with you.The fuel economy is not the best at around 30mpg but is still better than some.We tow a caravan which is 1100kgs fully laden and the Zaf pulls it a dream.

I bought the car in March 2013 to enable me to carry children and grandchildren in one vehicle. It is roomy, comfortable and very adaptable. The rearmost seats are fine for the grandchildren, but adults would find it a squeeze. The boot is tiny with the back seats up but roomy with them folded down (very easy to do), and cavernous if you also fold the centre row. Performance is surprisingly good from the 2 litre 130PS engine, and fuel economy of around 50 mpg is good considering the size of vehicle. Main gripe - there have been a number of unexplained scratches on the bodywork - maybe bad luck or is the paint finish not quite hard enough?

I'm on my second Zafira, at 80k miles it's caused no major problems. Not an outstanding car but good for a family and shifting larger loads - I like the flexibility and ease of moving the seats.

I love the car - it is comfortable, economical and spacious, and Mum's wheelchair fits easily in the back. Plenty of space for luggage on holidays even with the wheelchair and the other walking aids, so if I hae to renew the car, we would choose another Zafira.

Without doubt the best car I have ever owned spacious good performance economical comfortable reliable what more do you need

ex motobility car/ 4 years reasonably trouble free driving apart from 1 injector failure which took the ECU with it. hence very expensive repair. Bodywork sound although now beginning to show age. Will probably repace with another Zafira but 1600cc model

Purchased the vehicle new in 2012 and am extremely pleased with it. It has been reliable, comfortable and feels far more substantial than some vehicles I test drove before purchase.

An excellent car only let down by niggling penny pinching failures by Vauxhall. This is a top of the range Elite model but does not even have an engine temperature gauge. Safety features such as a load securing net are a chargable extra. Some features are not publicised such as the heat reflective windscreen. This is a very efficient feature that keeps the car cool when parked in the summer sun, but has the downside of reducing the reception ability of my SatNav - a point not documented. The overall economy is very good when driven sensibly. Tax and insurance are low and the annual service at a Vauxhall dealer is within my budget. My average fuel consumption is 48.3 mpg, a slight reduction on the 49.4 it returned whilst new. Automatic headlights and windscreen wipers work well and usually anticipate my requirements pretty well and it is rare that I find the need to manually switch these devices. Unlike earlier Zafiras, the windscreen demist is very efficient and the heating and coolling systems work well. The car is skittish in crosswinds which I put down to its height as an MPV, but this is not a great problem. Comfort on long journeys is good with excellent seats and relaxing use of cruise control. Visability is poor due to the thick pillars at the sides of the windscreen. This can be a particular problem when turning right or negotiating round abouts as the blind area is exactly where you are looking for the kerb. The flexibilty of load carrying is excellent and what really sold me the car. It can be a 7 seater with the two very good rear seats that fold totally flat when not required.

Got it second hand. At least 30% cheaper than like for like equivalents. Running costs decent. So far so good regarding reliability. A bit unrefined, agricultural and noisy, but I like it that way. Makes me feel more connected to the road. Handling is fine for an MPV. Practicality is excellent.

Pleased with this model after travelling in a friends car Has excellent space and is very versatile with extra seats (but much reduced boot space) if needed-(seats 5-7) Have even transported a fridge/freezer from local store with ease (rear seats folded down) Love the boot space and ease of handling-great for elderly relatives and friends as easy to get in and out of due to higher seat levels/body Makes for good road vision in general when travelling--only downfall is the windowscreen/side window vision (because of wider supports to windscreen frame?)--but ok when you are used to it and make allowances Not bad on running expenses-average I guess Yes I would definately buy another one

bought it for space does is job ,everything else isslightly above average

This is The best all round car I've experienced. The seating options, even in this 10yr old model, are fantastic, with the rear seating folding flat for maximum space. This older model is also very robust. It has had two minor tail end shunts, with barely visible damage to the rear bumper. one of those resulted in the other car losing the front bumper. The engine has now covered 81+k miles, I got it at 44k. It is still responsive, and despite the weight of the car, reasonably sporty, (something I've known in Vauxhalls for many years.) When I finally replace it, I will get a newer version, and only hope I'm as happy.

The overall design and equipment level is now showing it's age but otherwise it is a versatile vehicle.