Why the Vauxhall Zafira A (Opel, Holden etc) is great!

In this Real Road Test, I put a 1999 Vauxhall Zafira A through its paces, demonstrating the novel Flex 7 seating arrangement, and the sheer grunt of its mighty 1.6-litre DOHC engine. There's also the joy of its claphand windscreen or windshield wipers.

For extra giggles, it snapped a spring during this test. I could hear it rattling as I set off, but such was my desire to drive a Zafira (no, really!) that I continued anyway. For even more giggles, it lost a wheeltrim somewhere between me finishing the review and getting it back to the owner.

FUN FACT! The Zafira was sold on Japan as the Subaru Traviq!

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HubNut
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Don't forget to like the video if you like it, and share with your friends if you really like it! Thank you all.

[davebassman]

I owned a 2001 Zafira Club 1.6 from 2004 until it died in 2017 with over 190k miles on the clock. Best car I've ever owned.

[misterchippie]

That must be the world's most pointless zebra crossing 🤣😂

[J_]

Zafira DTI was my first car at 19, 51 Plate. My mates ripped the arse out of me until they realised how many could fit in and how little they had to chip in for fuel on long trips.

[boronsniify]

Hello Mr. Nut. Just saw this and it brought back some memories. I was one of the designers of the "Monocab" as it was known within Opel at the time. Starting in 1995, Porsche were contracted to engineer it, ensuring that quality and safety were very good. They even asked me to join their team after finishing this and I was lucky to be responsible for several of their products. BTW, the "Flex 7" seating idea came from a Brit at Opel engineering, not Porsche The great advantage was that you did not need to remove the rear seats as in other MPVs of the time - they always stay with the car. I'm thinking that an OPC version might be fun to have in the UK, as I really enjoyed driving these as prototypes....

[benc]

I have to admit that I've never looked at a Vauxhall Zafira twice. This film has opened my eyes.

[kieranwhite]

The Zafira A is where the Zafira peaked for me, I've never liked the replacements as much. It's strange to think Zafira is 21 now!

[stiggyness]

We have had our Zafira 1.8 16v automatic for 5 years, I LPG converted it and it now has 165k on the clock and still going strong. Not much has gone wrong with it, generally very reliable.

[terabyte]

Hello Ian, that is my current car, 2004 vauxhall zafira life 16 v 1.6 petrol, the best car i've owned, i got the car at 7 months old and it was basically brand new, i have taken my kids every where in it, and now my grand kids ride in it. i will pick you on the back seats there was another lever which lifts the lower bench up vertical and then you slide the whole rear seat assembly forward, this makes getting seat 6 and 7 easy to put in place, and up by the seat belt pillar the plastic you said was extra toys on higher spec hides the bolts for a vauxhall roof rack.
A great review and 3 mechanics have told me that's the best zafira, easy to work on, parts are cheap, and generally very reliable and also credit to the owner as this car is in fantastic condition😀😀😀😀😀😀

[joshbrailsford]

I never used to think much of these - my dad had a 2002 Ford Galaxy which I was rather fond of and the Zafira seemed a little dull in comparison. But they've aged well and clearly stand the test of time as there are plenty still on the roads. Definitely a success story for Opel/Vauxhall, and a car that probably deserves more respect than I ever gave it before.

[terrificspokesman]

Very good condition Zafira. Paintwork looks marvellous. It still has its hubcaps and they look like they have bearly any wear. Its like buying one brand new

[grayfool]

The perfect alternative to a bl^*+y SUV. Plenty of room but no bigger on the outside. I liked the VW Touran myself. Especially with the 2.0L 170BHP lump. Very good times.

[bernddoerper]

Even here in Germany you still can find many of them on the roads. Seemed to be very reliable. Most of them have been sold just only because of becoming old.

[toppledgod]

It's interesting how nice they look when they're well kept because it makes you realise that most people don't look after them and simply run them into the ground, which is sad.

[lewishart]

Nice to see such a clean and very early example. Credit to your friends for clearly giving it a decent up keep over the last 18 years

[asfhyujtg]

My dad had two Galaxy's, a Carens RS and currently has a C4 Grand Picasso - so growing up with people carriers has made me have a soft spot for pretty much all of them, the Zafira has to be one of my favourites.

[dazify]

Vauxhall always did a nice wheel trim. Lovely.

[adamfloyd]

A very fair review and the old thing doesn't look too bad on camera. It's booked in for two new springs next week, those were the 20-year old originals so they've lasted well.

[ls]

Rather good nick for 21yrs! Inside and out!

[pauldavies]

The best MPV ever this one just looks like new ideal for your family if you can find a good one Ian

[Kenny_P_abz]

That Astra G platform was great. I had a 1.6 Astra club and it was so solid and reliable. You seem to love this car Ian. A better buy than a Delica perhaps?