Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 Life (Vauxhall Zafira Life 1.6 5dr)

Member Name: englishrose

Product:	Vauxhall Zafira Life 1.6 5dr
Date:	06/02/09 (151 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Spacious and reliable

Disadvantages: Very thirsty for a non-sporty type of car

As a previous owner of a Ford, I waited very patiently to take delivery of my Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 Life. We have now had this model for just over two years, and as a family of four, it's a good car to have overall.

We have a slightly older version that the one pictured, ours being an 05 model.

The first thing that appealed to me was that we were getting the space of a people-carrier combined with a very small footprint: For a seven-seater vehicle, it's still very compact on the outside and therefore relatively easy to park and maneouvre.

When the 2 rear seats are folded down (our children call them the 'secret seats') the boot space is phenomenal, with plenty of room for the weekly shop, pushchair, assorted rubbish, toys and detritus that we like to carry around everywhere with us :)

Another excellent point for those with children is that there is enough room in the back for the children to climb across the back to get to the far side seat, meaning that everyone can enter the car from the pavement side and no-one has to enter from the road, very important as cars go whizzing by at way above the speed limit.

The driving position is great, you sit nice and high so it improves visibility at junctions etc. compared to a lower car. The seats are fully adjustable.

Our model doesn't have - and doesn't need - a sunroof, instead it has air-conditioning which is a godsend in the summer months. The heating system is just as efficient.

I am no expert on car stereo systems, and don't claim to be, however this is a radio/CD player and the great thing about it is that it has 2 sets of controls: one in the centre of the dashboard as usual, and another on the steering wheel, eliminating the need to lean over and get distracted.

It has all the usual features that you would expect from a family car today and we've been really please with it. However, there is one complaint, and that is that it is extremely thirsty! We seem to be forever refilling the fuel tank even though we don't travel all that far in it during the average week. For a non-sporty type car, I have found that surprising. This is the only reason I am giving it 4 stars instead of the full 5.

Apart from that, an excellent and reliable buy which meets the needs of all the family.

Summary: a good buy for a family

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