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Road Test: Vauxhall Zafira Tourer 1.6 CDTi Tech Line

By / 9 years ago / Road Tests / No Comments

Sector: MPV Price: £23,175 Fuel: 68.9mpg CO2: 109g/km,

Positioned as the seven-seat alternative to the Insignia, Vauxhall’s Zafira Tourer is one of those unusual cars which not only manages the tough requirements of a segment with a focus on practicality, but it’s stylish and good to drive too.

That’s a combination that the brand’s new 1.6-litre diesel engine really bolsters. Offered only in the more powerful 136bhp form in the Zafira Tourer, this lightweight all-aluminium engine comes equipped with a new six-speed gearbox, offering CO2 emissions of under 110g/km, with the performance of a 2.0-litre diesel engine.

This was the first car to get the new engine, which is now available across most of the Vauxhall range below the Insignia. It’s noticeably quieter than the old 1.7-litre diesels used for generations beforehand, and doesn’t feel like a small engine with too much assistance from the turbo. There’s a good spread of torque, and it’s efficient and quiet on long trips too.

The chassis, which is based on the front end of an Insignia and rear axle from an Astra, offers a long wheelbase and wide front and rear tracks, in turn providing surprising agility for a large vehicle, while the steering has a reassuring weight to it. Despite this, the Zafira Tourer doesn’t crash over bumps like a tall car tuned to feel like a lower one, it’s comfortable as well as economical.

Tech Line, the trim positioned to appeal to company car drivers, has plenty to offer too. It equips the Zafira Tourer with business necessities such as the new Navi 650 satellite navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity and cruise control as standard. Navigation in particular is a feature most rivals lack at this price point.

Equipment aside, this has all the qualities buyers demand of this segment. So the cabin has large windows to avoid travelsick children, there are cubby holes dotted throughout and the sliding set of compartments under the front armrest are brilliant for swallowing family paraphernalia on the move. It’s also easy to load luggage into its massive boot, helped by the low load lip and wide opening tailgate.

As expected, the five rear seats fold flat with tugs on straps and handles, creating a large flat load area from the tailgate to the back of the front row.  There’s even a compartment under the boot floor to store the luggage cover when it’s not in use, which is an infinitely useful detail many MPVs do without.

Less expected, though, is the space this offers for adults. You can get three across the rear bench, but the Zafira Tourer’s party piece is its Lounge Seating setup. Fold the centre seat flat and the outer two slide backwards and inwards for extra shoulder and legroom, while the bolsters of the centre seat fold upwards to create an armrest. It’s brilliant.

The need to move into an MPV for extra space can mean compromising some of the more emotional appeal of a traditional crossover or D-segment car. But the Zafira Tourer shows it’s possible to be a very capable mover of people and things, without being boring or inefficient with it.

Verdict:

Stylish, good to drive and as versatile inside as buyers in this segment demand, the Zafira Tourer has always had plenty going for it. With one of the best combinations of performance and economy in its sector, this new diesel engine is another reason why it’s worth a look.

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Alex Grant

Trained on Cardiff University’s renowned Postgraduate Diploma in Motor Magazine Journalism, Alex is an award-winning motoring journalist with ten years’ experience across B2B and consumer titles. A life-long car enthusiast with a fascination for new technology and future drivetrains, he joined Fleet World in April 2011, contributing across the magazine and website portfolio and editing the EV Fleet World Website.