Vauxhall Zafira Tourer (2012 – 2018) Review

Vauxhall Zafira Tourer (2012 – 2018) At A Glance

3/5
Honest John Overall Rating
While the Zafira Tourer isn’t exactly a stand-out class-leader in any given area, it’s competitive in pretty much all of them, and it’s also an affordable choice. For families on a budget, that’s simply got to make sense.

+Enjoyable and comfortable to drive, some really good engine choices, does a decent job on practicality.

-Interior quality is mixed, various bits of optional kit should be standard, some rivals are even roomier.

Insurance Groups are between 11–22
On average it achieves 75% of the official MPG figure

The 2010 Vauxhall Zafira Tourer isn’t the most practical, the most versatile or the best-to-drive car of its type. It’s not the highest in quality or the most generously equipped, either. However, it’s still a good all-rounder that does a very solid job in all these areas, and it’s more stylish than your average seven-seat MPV, too, (if a bit less stylish than an SUV). It’s also really good value for money thanks to affordable prices, and if you choose the right engine, it should be affordable to run, too.

 

Funny how tastes change, isn’t it? Once upon a time, in the heyday of the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer, big seven-seat MPVs like these were loved by families for whom a regular saloon or estate was just not practical enough, and sales figures reflected that.

Then all of a sudden, somebody decides that SUVs (previously seen as evil gas-guzzlers, you’ll remember) are more stylish, and as they become the thing to have, the humble MPV more or less disappears.

However, despite the incessant rise of the SUV, there’s still plenty of merit in a good old MPV. For starters, the boxier shape means they’re often a big roomier than an SUV, and with a seven seater, surely that’s important, right?

And in the Zafira Tourer, Vauxhall offered one of the more compelling choices in the SUV market. It’s curvier styling made it look swishier and swoopier than most of its boxy rivals, and with competitive prices and low running costs, it was good value (even better for used car buyers, obviously).

Granted it wasn’t the roomiest car of its type, but it was competitive on that score and its seating system was as clever and as versatile and anything else in the class.

Sure, the car had some idiosyncrasies. Early cars had a bafflingly confusing dashboard design (sorted out on later examples by a new touchscreen system), interior quality was a bit hit-and-miss, while a complicated and inconsistent trim structure made it rather difficult to choose the version that was right for you.

However, it was one of the better cars of its type to drive. The ride was forgiving enough to keep the family comfortable, while the handling was sharp enough to let the driver have some fun once the kids had been safely delivered to school.

Looking for a second opinon? Why not read heycar's Vauxhall Zafira review.  

Ask Honest John

Why did I not get an emissions sheet with my MoT certificate?

"I’ve just bought a 2012 Vauxhall Zafira for my daughter with 60k miles. The dealer had a local MoT Station provide an MoT before we bought it but we were not given the emissions sheet. After just 10 days the Multifunction Indicator light has come on, indicating an emissions problem. Can I obtain a replacement emissions sheet that should have come with the MoT certificate?"
An MoT test has to include an emissions test, and you should have been provided with a sheet that included the breakdown of the emissions test. You should contact the MoT station that carried out the test and ask for a copy, or at least an explanation as to why one was not provided. Although the MFI indicator has illuminated this does not necessarily indicate an emissions problem, but the fact that this has occurred with 10 days of obtaining the vehicle means this is something that you should take up with the dealer.
Answered by David Ross

Which seven-seater is best for space and comfort?

"Which of the following has the roomiest rear seats (in a seven-seater): BMW Series 2 Gran Tourer, Ford Grand C-MAX, or Vauxhall Zafira?"
Assuming you're looking at the newer Zafira Tourer then that'll be the most spacious, with the Grand C-Max and 2 Series Gran Tourer having broadly similar amounts of rear seat space. You can check out our favourite MPVs here: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/guides/best-mpv/
Answered by Lawrence Allan

Can you recommend a mid size MPV?

"We are grandparents to two-year-old twins and now looking for a seven-seater. Ideally reasonably stylish, comfortable and well equipped. It must be automatic and, above all, reliable. Performance is not important but economy is, and we'd prefer petrol. Not a brand snob! Our budget is around £12,000. "
We'd recommend a Vauxhall Zafira Tourer. It's a comfortable and spacious MPV that represents excellent value for money on the used market – your budget will get you a 2017 model with the 1.4-litre petrol engine. A Volkswagen Touran would be a good alternative but petrols are rare and the DSG gearbox isn't without its faults.
Answered by Andrew Brady

What do I do if I can't update my sat-nav?

"I cannot seem to get any updates for the sat-nav in my 2014 Vauxhall Zafira Tourer Elite, please can you help."
I would contact Vauxhall customer service to ask if they are still supporting it or you could try posting on some owners' forums to see if someone else has had the same problem and managed to get it updated.
Answered by Sarah Tooze
More Questions

What does a Vauxhall Zafira Tourer (2012 – 2018) cost?