28 May 08
Vauxhall Zafira
4Car rating: 4 stars
Price: from £12,995
For: Spacious, versatile, good value for money.
Against: Dull to look at; soon to be replaced.
Sure you want an all-out MPV? A big, bulbous, bloated van-like thing? The Vauxhall Zafira looks like a car, drives like a proper car, yet can carry up to seven in decent comfort or accommodate loads of luggage, thanks to its cleverly flat-folding and tumbling seats. The rearmost seats are safely forward-facing, unlike those in seven-seat estates of old, and the Zafira has scored the full five stars in the Euro NCAP crash tests, too.
New-generation Zafira models (based on the new Insignia, replacement for the Vectra) come next year, but in the meantime, this current version is one of the best-value multi-purpose family cars around. There are substantial discounts on offer, especially at independent retailers, and watch out for extra-value special editions and other incentives in the run-up to the launch of the all-new range.
