The Vauxhall Zafira Sport.
ROADTEST FACT FILE
Car...Vauxhall Zafira
Model...Tourer Exclusiv 1.8
Mpg (comb cycle)...39.2mpg
CO2...169g/km
Price...£22,010 (on the road)
Loaned by Harwoods, Wootton
THE new Vauxhall Zafira combines practicality with style and is proving popular with new-car buyers.
Vauxhall has always been a big player in the new and used car market and has progressed well in recent years.
One of the most impressive things about the new Zafira was how comfortable it was. In the rear, three adults could sit comfortably with plenty of leg and head-room. The driving position could be adjusted to suit and you get a full, clear view of the road through the large windscreen.
The cabin is well organised, thanks to the customisable FlexRail centre console storage system. The dials on the centre console were relatively easy to understand, with air conditioning an option to cool down the cabin on a hot day.
What makes the Zafira special is the fact it can switch from a five-seater to a seven-seater vehicle with ease. The new lounge seating in the second row provides the extra seats with a high level of comfort, with ease. The model I test drove, courtesy of the new Hartwell dealership at Lushington Hill, Wootton, was the Zafira Tourer Exclusiv. It boasted a 16-valve, 1.8-litre engine with a pokey 140PS. It has a combined MPG figure of 39.2 while producing 169 CO2 g/km emissions.
The Zafira is pleasant to drive. The steering is light and responsive and the car sticks the road, giving a sense of being in control. The Zafira has a dynamic feel, with a real presence on the road.
It is versatile and, by folding the rear seats down, it creates 1,860 litres of load space. There was even extra storage space under the passenger seat in the front .
Standard features on the Exclusiv include front fog lights, front and rear parking sensors, electric windows, multi-function trip computer system and USB connectivity. Steering wheel controls for the radio and computer were also a welcome addition.
If you need space for the kids, their toys, bikes, equipment and, of course, the shopping, the Zafira would be the ideal choice.