Vauxhall Zafira SRi 1.9 CDTi

Oct 10 2008 Malcolm Robertshaw

THE Vauxhall Zafira comes offering the wide range of engines expected from a member of the General Motors organisation.

There are five petrol 16-valvers in 1.6i 103bhp, 1.8i 138bhp Ecotec, 2.2i 148bhp direct injection and 2.0-litre 197bhp turbo form, plus a 2.0-litre 238bhp unit to power the VXR derivative.

Diesel is also available with two 1.9 CDTi-powered models delivering 118bhp and 148bhp respectively while the seven generous trim levels comprise Expression, Life, Exclusiv, Design, Elite, SRi and VXR.

The Expression entry level model kit includes the likes of air con, stereo sound system with CD, electric front windows, powered door mirrors, remote central deadlocking, six airbags and ABS braking.

The SRI derivative adds steering wheel-mounted radio controls, heated door mirrors, multi function trip computer, 17-inch five-spoke alloys, remote security alarm, electric windows all round, aluminium pedals, dark tinted rear glass, front fogs and electronic stability programme with traction control.

Standard-fit front sports seats are comfortably supportive and, via two-way driver's seat adjustment and steering wheel, a driving position which should suit most folk is easily arrived at facing a neatly laid out dashboard and easily navigable centre console within an agreeable driving environment in a well bolted together cabin.

While perhaps not designed to set the senses alight, the latest Zafira does have a much more upmarket interior appearance and feel about it than its predecessor, plus it boasts a very serviceable and dependable look, which is always a good point to attract the interest of the box-tickers when studying the family car segment.

In the main, overall vision is good from that high driving position appreciated by drivers. Instruments are nicely to hand and the controls are gently damped, while extra cubby holes are provided, although I couldn't come to terms with a mid-sized compact people carrier harbouring the type of parking brake the likes of which can be found on your average airliner!

However, talk of airliners does lead to the question of on-board space and, here, Zafira scores well delivering stacks of manoeuvrable head, shoulder and leg room to the area occupied by the front five seats.

Vauxhall's Flex7 flip and fold seating arrangement does the business for transporting the family, with plenty of seating variations easily to hand without leaving any seats behind in the garage but, while the two rear seats flip up from under the floor when needed, they do provide seating better suited to children.

The middle row of seats slide fore and aft to deliver extra leg or bootroom, which can create a generous, family style 645 litres of luggage space with only five seats taken and the tug of a few simple levers ensures that the Zafira can actually be anything from a seven-seater family transporter to a two-seater removal van with completely flat load floor.

I have just tried the Zafira SRi powered by the 1.9-litre 148bhp diesel engine paired with a six-speed smooth-slotting manual gearchange and with the provision of sharper throttle response via the Sport switch, proves a highly agreeable roadway companion.

Despite the sports suspension introducing a little firmness to the ride quality, it doesn't prove inhibiting, rather helping tight torsional control and communicative power steering, along with some strong grip, to deliver quality cornering.

Thanks to some punchy acceleration from the oil-burner, 0-60mph arrives in under 10 seconds, while there is the promise of a pretty generous 47.1mpg available over the combined driving cycle.

In the main, the Zafira delivers good ride quality with sporty dynamics. It is a smooth operator for quite a bulky, yet handsome car and, with road noise being pretty well contained plus occupant space and kit levels generous, this is yet another Vauxhall success story.

FAST FACTS

Vauxhall Zafira SRi 1.9 CDTi (150ps) 5dr

Price : £20,880

Mechanical : 148bhp, 1,910cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox

Max speed : 126mph

0-62mph : 9.7 secs

Combined mpg : 47.1

Insurance group : 9

CO2 emissions : 159g/km

BiK rating : 18%

Warranty : 3yrs/ 60,000 miles, 6yrs anti-rust