Vauxhall Zafira (2005 - 2014) 1.8i Design 5d Easytronic (2006/56) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

I'm a family man and want comfort, practicality and reliability.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

All who have travelled in it think it's comfortable and quiet. My Mum and Dad, who both need sticks to get around, find it especially accessible.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Definitely. It's has everything I want from a car and it's style suits too.

What are you likely to buy next?

A Zafira, or possible a Ford Galaxy.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£7,500

When did you buy the car?

January 2010

Did you get a good deal and why?

The car was ex motability and had just 5800 on the clock. I felt I had a good deal and he accepted my T reg Rover 416 automatic in part ex for £300.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

I prefer automatics, because I suffer with arthritis.

What was the dealer like?

I'd found the car online and enquired by phone. The dealer was friendly, organised and responsive. My family and I felt at ease.

What's it like to drive?

Calm, responsive and comfortable, both on the motorway and in urban settings. We've driven down remote dirt tracks on holiday without problem! It has some power if needed, with a "Sport" button to give boosted engine performance (does guzzle the gas though!). Drives well and easily. You do have to get used to the oversized windscreen side-pillars and compensate for blind spots that they can cause, but I find this ok. The driving position is very adjustable. Both the steering wheel and seat have plenty of scope to find a suitable position. I especially like the raised aspect and room afforded for getting in and out of the car.

What's it like to park?

It's easy to park, with good manoeuvrability and vision all round. Ours doesn't have sensors, but I find I can judge the dimensions ok and have no problems. I have been known to park it wonkily though, just to tease my wife and children!

Have you had any problems with the car?

I had to have an electrician check it because of a diagnostic indicator light showing, but it was simply a blown fuse. Absolutely reliable and a joy, otherwise.

What's most practical about your car?

It suits the family best. With 2 girls and a wife, we often need to carry more than 3 passengers and the seat arrangement is quite easy to change. The "dicky" seats are reasonably comfortable, even for small adults, and ingress/egress is also ok.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

There are a few that I could mention, like the changeable seats or sensor windscreen wipers or the "Snow" setting, but I'd say the Easytronic gear change is best for me. It takes a bit of getting used to, having a completely automatic mode or a manual gear-change option (which can be switched between at any time while driving), but very much worth it in the end. Adds a nice dimension to the comfort.