Tell me about it.
The Zafira Tourer is Vauxhall's 7-seater MPV, set above the 5-seater Meriva. It has taken over from the age-old Zafira, and I must say, it has impressed me.
In Europe, 2.2 million Zafiras have been sold, so the Tourer has some big boots to fill.
Where does Vauxhall see this vehicle?
Take a look at what they have to say:
"...the seven -seat Zafira Tourer is expected not only to attract traditional MPV customers, but also those customers who may never have considered such a vehicle."
Is it well-equipped?
I would say so.
Base-model SE has daytime running lights, air conditioning, DAB, an aux-in socket, multifunction steering wheel, cruise control and electrically adjustable heated door mirrors. It's important to note that the 17-inch wheels (or 16-inch for 1.8 16v VVT 140 PS) are not alloys and that only the front windows are electric. All models, including this SE, have 2 seats in the rear for children or emergencies, and what Vauxhall call a 35:30:35 split folding rear seating system, or what is more commonly known as '40:20:40'. However exact you want to be, they all fold independently.
Exclusiv models add front fog lights, front and rear parking sensors, USB connectivity, a front centre armrest and electric rear windows.
Tech Line brings with it a sat nav, Bluetooth®, 17-inch alloys and tinted rear windows.
With the sporty SRi comes 18-inch alloys, sports chassis, pedals and seats, a 3-spoke leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel and a roof spoiler. Yes. On an MPV!
SE also has 17-inch alloys but adds an electric parking brake, storage under the driver's seat, an electro-chromatic anti-dazzle rear-view mirror, automatic wipers and Vauxhall's FlexRail® centre console.
Top-of-the-range Elite trim has 18-inch alloys, perforated leather seats, heated front seats and a panoramic roof.
Overall then, great levels of standard kit.
What engines are there?
There's a 1.8-litre petrol engine producing 140 PS and 175 Nm. Unfortunately, economy figures are below average at 39.2 mpg and 169 g/km of CO2. It comes with a 5-speed manual transmission.
The 1.4-litre turbo-petrol isn't much better. It achieves 42.2 mpg according to Vauxhall and emits 158 g/km despite producing 140 PS and 200 Nm. That's with the 6-speed manual 'box. With the 6-speed automatic its benchmark figures are 39.2 mpg and 169 g/km.
The 1.6 CDTi ecoFLEX with Start/Stop is said to get 62.7 mpg and emit 119 g/km. Producing 136 PS and 320 Nm, you're stuck with a 6-speed manual here.
The 2.0-litre CDTi is less powerful with 130 PS and 300 Nm but gets worse figures - 55.4 mpg and 134 g/km. Again, a 6-speed manual.
There's a more powerful 2.0-litre CDTi - 170 PS and 400 Nm. Because it employs Start/Stop technology, it manages up to 57.7 mpg and 129 g/km. Well, that's with the 6-speed manual. The 6-speed automatic gets a less than impressive 46.3 mpg and 161 g/km.
What options are available in addition to the standard equipment?
Seat Comfort Pack One adds 6-way manual and 4-way electric lumbar adjustment to the driver's seat. Seat Comfort Pack Two adds the same to the front passenger's seat in addition to the driver's. They're £170 and £320 respectively.
The Navi 650 system is £855, whereas the Navi 950 IntelliLink is £1,200. I suggest that you go online and find out what they are as there's too much to write here! For £525 the Infinity® Premium Sound System with 7 speakers and a subwoofer if yours, though.
The Premium Forward Lighting Pack adds some really nice dark-style bi-xenon headlights and high-pressure headlight washers as well as the standard LED daytime running lights for £790.
Is it practical for family life?
Offering more than 700 litres with the 2nd row of seats up and just over 100 litres short of 2000 with them down, the boot is very useful. It doesn't scare the Ford S-Max though, which has a more-than-a-supermini capacity with the 3rd-row seats up.
The Zafira Tourer got a full 5 stars in the Euro NCAP crash test safety rating back in 2011 which should give you piece of mind. See here for the full report:
MPVs come in two categories - 5-seater and 7-seater. Within both are small and large. The Vauxhall Zafira Tourer is a small 7-seater MPV which places it against the Ford S-Max or Volkswagen Touran as opposed to the larger Ford Galaxy or Volkswagen Sharan. As you'd expect then, the 2 rear seats aren't what you'd call comfortable or ideal for an adult on a long journey. However they're great for kids who love to have their own seating in the boot!
How would you spec your Zafira Tourer if you were given the option to buy one on a modest budget?
Somewhat like this £30k example:
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