Vauxhall Zafira (2005 - To Date)
2 petrol, 1.9 diesel [Expression, Club, Design, Life, SRi, Elite, VXR, Active])
BY ANDY ENRIGHT
The second generation Vauxhall Zafira had a massive task on its hands when it arrived in dealerships back in July 2005. Its predecessor had established a template for clever seven-seat mini-MPVs, a template which rivals manufacturers were scrabbling to emulate and improve upon. Bigger and better finished than before, the Mark 2 version of the Zafira moved the car upmarket and onto the shortlists of a whole new group of buyers. As a used vehicle its well worth a look.
| Build |  |
| Comfort |  |
| Depreciation | |
| Economy | |
| Equipment | |
| Handling | |
| Insurance | |
| Performance |  |
| Styling | |
| Value | |
What did change was the amount of legroom on offer to the occupants. Whereas the old car would have been hideously cramped with all seven seats in use, the later model offers a little more breathing space. Its still not ideally suited to a rugby sevens team and their kit, but for the larger family, its close to perfect. As before, the seating system is so versatile that the Zafira can be configured in two, three, four, five, six or seven seat guises with a little practice.
Most buyers will run in five-seat format, and in this mode the Vauxhall can cope with 620-litres of luggage fully 20 more than the old car. Depending on the trim level, the Zafira can also boast up to 30 storage compartments. The Flex Organiser luggage bay stowage system that proved a success with Astra Estate buyers was also available on this Zafira.
Zafiras have always held their value better than most mainstream tackle and the range will kick off at £9,300 for a 55-plated 1.6i Life model, with another £400 buying a Club variant. Its probably worth double checking before you travel to view a car that it really is a second generation model as many of the model names carried over from first to second generation and there are still many sellers of earlier cars asking fairly unrealistic prices. Diesel models begin at £10,750 for a 1.
9CDTi 120 Life. Youll need just over £17,000 to net one of the racy VXR versions but if a growing family has forced you to sell your sports saloon, theres plenty here to like. Insurance ranges from Group 5 for the entry-level 1.6-litre models to Group 9 for the CDTi 120 and 150 diesels.
The VXR skews things a bit with its Group 15 rating but even that is fairly reasonable for the amount of go on offer.
The Zafira is still too new for any major problems yet to emerge, and the Astra mechanicals upon which it is based have proven themselves to be ostensibly trouble free. As with any car that is used to transport families around, check for damage wreaked by youngsters, including broken fittings, rips or stains on the upholstery and scratched plastics. Also ensure that all of the seats fold away smoothly, as its easy for dropped items of food or small toys to jam the runners. Check that the suspension is still in good working order a regular run transporting a six-a-side football team will drastically shorten the life of a set of dampers.
The VXR model can be rather hard on front tyres if driven hard and the eighteen inch alloy wheels are prone to damage from pot holes. Otherwise check for the service record and look forward to buying a very capable car.
(approx based on a 2005 1.6 Club). A new clutch assembly will see your dealer clutching £170 of your folding, whilst a new exhaust system retails at £500, although expect to knock £150 off for an exchange front pipe. Front brake pads are £45 a pair and rears are £33.
A radiator is around £100, but if you need a new wheel and tyre for a VXR, youll be looking at an eye watering bill of nearly £600.
A wide range of engines are offered and this Zafira marked the debut of Vauxhalls 140bhp 1.8-litre ECOTEC powerplant. This became a mainstay of Vauxhalls petrol powered engine selection and, compared to the outgoing models 1.8 unit, the replacement boasted 14 per cent more power, consumed four per cent less fuel, had improved flexibility and was a good deal more refined.
The 140bhp power output means the 1.8-litre engine is one of the most powerful in this class, but its far from being a highly-stressed race engine with peaky power delivery. Thanks to advanced valve and cam phasing technology, 90 per cent of the 175Nm maximum torque is available from 2200 to 6200 rpm. This wide range ensures lively performance and exceptional pulling power even at low engine speeds, making everyday driving more relaxed with less need to change gear.
Vauxhall pioneered the concept of the performance mini-MPV with the GSi Turbo version of the MK1 Zafira and filling that niche even more emphatically in the MK2 range is the Zafira VXR. From the VXR sub brand of high performance vehicles, this model can call upon a 240bhp powerplant that will rocket the car to 60mph in 7 seconds flat and on to a top speed of 144mph. With 320Nm of torque in reserve, this Zafira has as much muscle as a Porsche Boxster S. If the growing family means that youve had to shelve plans for a sporty car, heres the perfect antidote.
With a honeycomb grille, a larger front bumper (with a central air intake) and fog lights, the VXR has serious rear-view mirror presence. Deep sill extensions, twin tailpipes and 18-inch alloy wheels ensure that bystanders know what theyre looking at. The interior features Recaro sports seats and a sports steering wheel and gear lever. Most buyers, however, opted for the CDTi diesels and both the 120 and 150bhp versions have a lot to be said for them.
Until you drive the two Zafira diesel models back to back, its tough to appreciate how much quicker the 150bhp installation is but for most customers the cheaper 120bhp unit was the better buy. Both are fitted as standard with a six-speed manual and the 120bhp car will get to 60mph in 12 seconds while the 150bhp model will detain you for 10.2. Top speeds are pegged at 116 and 126mph respectively and combined economy figures are 46.
3mpg for the 120 and 45.6 for the 150. Carbon dioxide emissions vary little, the 120bhp Zafira putting out 165 grammes per kilometre travelled and the more powerful model a scant 2 grammes more. Opt for the automatic on the 120bhp car and the figures become a good deal less impressive.
The Zafira rapidly became the benchmark mini-MPV in its original iteration and it remains so today. Other manufacturers offer bigger or sportier people carriers but the brand equity built up by Vauxhall is still reaping big rewards. A CDTi diesel model would be our pick.
