Opel Zafira: Ready For A Family?

7 June 2017 Redazione News, Tested

OPEL ZAFIRA

READY TO MAKE YOUR OWN FAMILY ?

Words: Marco Mancino

Photography: Andy Williams

Do not underestimate it turning the page, especially if you plan to start a family. The new Opel Zafira updated in 2016, comes to our office with a fairly complete package and the intention to plead as a valid alternative to the various estates and crossovers. Let’s say that the segment that we analyze is increasingly vast and rich with plenty of aggressive competitors, which in one way or another, try everything they can to combine practicality, low fuel consumption and a good dose of technology – now inevitable gadget for standard customers.

 
As mentioned, the Zafira has grown and boasts a very large size of four and a half meters in length and about 2.7 of wheelbase: this produces an optimum loading capacity for people and stuff. The tested version is equipped with two additional seats that lead to seven, but the moment you do not need to carry extra passengers, the loading compartment floor is perfectly usable without any additional encumbrance. The lines are softer and the feeling that reigns on board is that of a car designed for every day and for all customers who tend to focus on usability and have no frills in mind. The interiors are well made and the driving position is a fair compromise between the important dimensions of this MPV and the ability to put it in city traffic. The large windscreen, combined with the perfect inclination of the front pillars, enables an almost total visibility of what surrounds us and this facilitates quite a lot when maneuvering, while once you deal with parking spaces, sensors and the rear camera arrive to the rescue. As usual, at the center of the dashboard we find a display where you manage your multimedia system, including sat navigator, not fast but precise and intuitive. Below the controls for air conditioning and the gear lever, in this case a 6-speed manual.

 
The Zafira under test is equipped with a 4-cylinder turbo diesel 2-liter able to ground 170hp – the top of the range – and even if it has not performance ambitions, surprises for the considerable torque of 400Nm available at just 1750 revs. These numbers, combined with an overall weight that slightly exceeds the ton and a half, make the big Opel surprisingly agile and lively, simplifying during overtaking situations and offering a completely honest fuel consumption. There is a marked improvement, especially if you consider 10 years ago Opels; the new Zafira retains the main features of the previous models, but takes them to the next level, offering everything you would expect from such a car at a starting price of € 30,000. A bit of money, it is true, but we also have to take into account that these cars are designed and purchased by a customer who has not the slightest interest in performance or sleek shapes. Rather, attention is paid to the usability, the ability to adapt and in this more than in other cases, to the luggage compartment and so the new Zafira answers with a clear and decisive voice. Finally Opel has shaken off all doubts and offers a good alternative to the Japanese and European rivals.

OPEL ZAFIRA (2016)

Layout   –  front-engined, front wheel drive

Engine  –  4 cylinder 1.956cc – turbodiesel

Transmission  –  6-speed manual gearbox

Power  –  170 hp @ 3.750 rpm

                      400 Nm @ 1.750-2.500 rpm

Weight  –  1.673 kg

Acceleration  –  9,8 sec.

Top Speed  –  208 kph

Price  –  from € 30.800