To compliment the wide range of engines are five levels of trim and equipment – ES, Exclusiv, SRi, SE and Elite.  Exclusiv will be the most popular level, says Vauxhall. Business car insurance rates have still to be announced.

What’s hot?

• Potential 62.8mpg fuel economy…we averaged a still good 45.9mpg
• Diesel engine willing, smooth and quiet at all but the highest engine speed
• More powerful 165ps 2.0 Elite was livelier, but only returned 31mpg
• Zafira is agile and smooth riding
• Rides well and corners with confidence
• Gearchanges, steering and brakes are good
• New Flex7 seats are really versatile and easy to use, fold or erect
• The multitude of oddments space should satisfy anyone
• At the back the big door opens from below knee height to reveal a wide, flat loadbed…
• …with good straight sides and the back doors give further access to this area
• Plenty of carrying capacity for its low 119g/km CO2 benefit in kind company car tax

What’s not?

• Diesel powertrain is adequate when used by two people, but it would have to work hard with more…
• … and this would impact on the fuel economy
• Take into account the company car issue
• All those storage areas are great…
• …until you lose something in one compartment and try to find it!

Business Car Manager Road Test Rating

Vauxhall is hoping to widen the appeal of the Zafira Tourer to business users with families who currently run big estate cars or 4x4s but who now want something with lower emissions, better economy but without losing capacity.

The Vauxhall newcomer offers between 710 and 1,860 litres capacity as well as over 30 storage compartments in the cabin so it certainly offers an immensely practical, versatile and comfortable family car. And compared to a similar priced Ford S-MAX, this ecoFLEX model offers the lower company car tax rates many business users are looking for. Factor in low running costs for SMEs with small fleets and the Zafira Tourer is an excellent and welcome addition to the range.