Vauxhall Zafira reviews

I purchased this vehicle second-hand six years ago, its first owner being in the Motorbility scheme so was low mileage and regularly maintained; the alternative was a similar age/price/mileage Citroen Picasso. I chose the Zafira based on a more comfortable (upright) driving position, better visibility and the option of seven seats (over the Picasso's five). During my ownership, I have done over 60 000 miles, having an annual service at a private garage (ie. non-dealership). The only unreliability has been last winter, when I needed to replace the battery which would not hold charge; as the battery appeared to be the original factory fitted one (ie around 8 years old), this was perhaps only to be expected! I have also had to replace the back box on the exhaust (a typical problem on all other Vauxhalls I have owned (Chevette, Astra (3 different models), Nova, Corsa, Cavalier and Vectra). Careful driving and use of Michelin tyres has meant 35 to 40 000 mile tyre life (not quite as good as my Cavalier which gave over 75 000 miles on mainly high-spped motorway runs!) The one other niggle has been the rear doors no longer operate as part of the central locking; I keep meaning to get an electrician to look at this, but never quite get round to it! The ride is very comfortable on most journeys, particularly on motorway runs. The leg room in the back is better than many limousine size vehicles, although the most rearmost pair of seats are not so ample and really only suit smaller passengers, and then on shorter routes. The stowage when using these rearmost seats is very small, but when they are folded down, is excellent, better I fell than some estates (as proved by seeing a daughter through three years of University!) The vehicle as a 1600cc is no sports car, but by using the gears a reasonable performance can be obtained, balancing speed and consumption. Were I to be doing more motorway driving, I might enjoy the extra power of the 1800cc (or even the 2 litre version) but around town, on the school run, etc,. the smaller engine is more than adequate.

We have always liked this car for comfort,reliability, and space.