Vauxhall Zafira Euro NCAP 5 Stars
Surefooted, pacey and agile this versatile seven-seater from Vauxhall is good to drive and offers a spacious cabin and classy fittings - a very impressive MPV.
The original Zafira was the MPV that showed everyone else how it should be done, with car-like dimensions, clever fold-flat seats and oodles of interior space. Neat touches like storage boxes in the roof, headlamps that see around corners and keyless entry ensure this winner retains a place in the top echelon of MPVs of this size. The panoramic roof available on some models adds considerable light and gives the cabin a really light and airy feel. Equipment levels on all models are good.
The Zafira is available with a good choice of engines, with 1.6, 2.0T and 2.2 petrol and a selection of 1.8 and 1.9 diesels. Not forgetting of course the extraordinary 240bhp 2.0 litre turbo VXR.
For a seven seater the 1.9 diesel with emissions of 162g/km gets a very creditable VED rating D, which combined with fuel consumption of over 45mpg combined and 55 extra urban makes this a very environmentally conscious people transporter.
A thrill seeker looking for an MPV with something
different? Then look no further than the VXR - there is
nothing quite like it on the market. It uses the same 240bhp turbocharged engine as the Astra VXR, but will carry up to seven people or five people and an awful lot of luggage, yet positively rips from 0-60mph in just over seven seconds.
Awarded a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, which makes it one of the market leaders for safety the Zafira also scored a class leading 4 stars for passenger safety. Features include ABS, twin front, side and curtain airbags, active head restraints, electronic stability programme, under steer control and tyre pressure monitoring system. Security is a taken care
of with an immobiliser and remote central deadlocking and whilst MPVs and estates can never be as secure as saloons, which have a separate boot, the Zafira has traditionally resisted drive-away theft.
All new Zafiras are covered by a one-year unlimited
mileage warranty as well as an additional second and third year no-fee customer option warranty with a mileage limit of 60,000 miles. Vauxhall also guarantees all new vehicles against perforation by corrosion of the bodywork and underbody, where it occurs as a result of defective materials or workmanship, for six years from the date of first registration. Twelve months Vauxhall Assistance is provided automatically from first registration and covers incidents such as accidents, mechanical breakdown, flat tyres to illness whilst driving.
About the manufacturer
Vauxhall is committed to seeking the most efficient processes and technology to control and reduce waste,
pollution and the emissions from its vehicles.
It is working hard to increase the efficiency of its recycling process by designing products from the start to be recyclable. It has the twin aims of decreasing the waste produced during vehicle production and then further reducing waste at the end of a vehicle's life. This drives preservation of precious material and energy resources for the benefit of the planet.
The strategy rests on two principles: Recycling Orientated Design / Design for pre-treatment Development and implementation of material 'cycles' for vehicle production. The aim is to support both GM engineers and suppliers in the development of vehicles and components where recyclability is built in. The process also helps engineers to analyse parts,
components and vehicles with regard to their recyclability and recoverability. One of Vauxhalls recycling targets is to increase the quantity of recycled materials, also known as recyclates, in the production of its cars. More than 90 plastic recyclate types have been specified and approved for use in production. Recyclates are always preferred over virgin material, as long as their usage is technically feasible and economically viable. The Vauxhall recycling team takes every effort to maintain high standards of performance and mechanical and thermal durability.
Vauxhall complies with new legislation introduced in 2003 that requires all car manufactures and vehicle importers of new cars into the United Kingdom to take back vehicles from last owners or keepers (free of charge) at the end of their life and to ensure that they are treated in an environmentally responsible fashion. Vauxhall have appointed Autogreen Ltd as their sole service provider in the UK to manage the free take back of our last owner's vehicles. Vauxhall is obliged to take back all vehicles from January 2007 free of change to the last owner provided certain qualifying conditions are met. Vehicles placed on the market after July 2002 will also be entitled to free take back as long as the same requirements are met.
To view Vauxhalls environmental philosophy and policy go to www.vauxhall.co.uk/vx/morefromvauxhall/sustainability.do