Vauxhall Zafira (05 on) - Review

Models with the optional Panoramic glass roof (four glass panels in the roof) benefit from an extraordinarily light and airy cabin while electric blinds are fitted to give shade when it's brighter or on hot days. The front two rows have adequate legroom and plenty of headroom, though passengers in the third row will find it claustrophobic. The seats give decent support but are a little firm plus there's some wind and engine noise at speed - especially with the 1.9 CDTi. All models, with the exception of the base model Life come with air con.

The Flex7 seating system wasn't updated or altered from the first generation car and as a result the Zafira isn't the class leader in terms of practicality that it once was. The middle row has a sliding bench but this limits versatility and access to the back seats is tight. Operating the rearmost chairs is hard work too as the middle bench has to be slid forward in order to fold them back up them. At least all the seats fold flat to create a good load space and some models come with roof mounted storage bins and trays. Other storage areas include a large air conditioned glovebox and cargo net style pouches for drinks bottles and maps.

The Zafira's driving position feels a little confined and the thick windscreen pillars hamper the view out at junctions. The dash layout isn't great either with a rather fussy and button-heavy centre console plus some of the plastics are shiny and look cheap. The high mounted gear-lever is good though and the clever retracting handbrake means storage space is freed up between the driver and passenger.