USED Vauxhall Zafira MPV (05 - )

My car

Our present car, an Audi A3, has become a burden since the arrival of our first baby. So we've decided to look for a replacement. - an MPV.

We intend to have another child and we have a dog, so it needs to be spacious. We have a list: the Toyota Corolla Verso, Mazda 5, Vauxhall Zafira, Renault Grand Scenic, VW Touran and Honda FR-V. After a few visits to the dealers that list is down to two: the Corolla Verso and Mazda 5.

It took all of 30 seconds to realise that the Zafira was a no no. I felt the fascia was a mess. It looks cheap. Middle bench? What's that all about?

The Toyota costs less but 1.8 VVTi doesn't have the power of the Mazda's 2.0. The Mazda also has the sliding door.

Coming from an Audi, the build quality was always going to be lower but I think the Toyota has the edge over the Mazda here. I think in time it will withstand kids and dogs better. So, my tip, check out the Mazda and Toyota first.

My car

I hired a new Zafira 1.9 Automatic and I am very impressed. The car is very comfortable on long journeys and very quiet, and I haven't noticed the wind noise you complained of in the road test. The quality of the interior fitting is very good - indeed much better than the Focus I drove the week before - while the driving position is good, even though I'm over six feet tall. So far the cabin has proved very practical in accommodating my sailing kit, dinghy sails and rudder/ tiller assembly. The engine, although very much a diesel, has an impresive turn of speed with the six-speed automatic transmission providing smooth and timely shifts. If I needed a vehicle in this class it would have to be the Zafira for the combination of smooth performance, good ride and handling, comfort and a well made, attractive interior.

My car

A disappointment if viewed overall.

I owned the previous generation Zafira 2.2 which was actually quiter and faster.

The dash is taken from the new Astra and is a real rat's kidneys of an arrangement but at least here is raised a little. The old dash was simplicity itself - this one is horrible. I also feel the indicators are horrible in use.

If there is extra space in this car, I couldn't find it and how come the seats aren't any more versatile in the new version? The dealer said this was because customers liked them that way. If we all had that attitiude we'd be driving Model T Fords now.

Looks better, though, and smells better than my old one.

My car

I just couldn't wait to test-drive this car. It looked like a significant improvement on its predecessor.

The build quality looks good, the car looks good, but why don't they fix the second-row bench seat?

The fact that everyone (including child seats) have to be removed before gaining access to the third row made me walk away to look for a more practical model. It's a pity because, apart from this big problem, Vauxhall seems to have added lots of nice little features and could have a winner.