We review the Vauxhall Zafira VXR (2007) from price to economy and all its features
The challengers have lined up to challenge Vauxhall's position, but they have rebuffed all advances.
A key reason for that success has been the sizzling new Corsa — a supermini that has had a major impact on the sales charts.
But family motors have also played a vital role in nurturing Vauxhall's increasingly impressive position in the UK market.
Cars such as the seven-seater Zafira made families practical needs affordable.
Then they went a step further. At a time when the S-Max was just a dream for Ford, Vauxhall made family motoring sexy by bringing out the red-hot VXR versions of the Meriva and Zafira.
If you are surprised by the Zafira's success, you can't have driven one.
Far from being the good-looking ordinary passenger car it may appear to be, the Zafira, in all its many versions, is simply great on the road.
The ride and handling are superb — but there is yet another reason to think about buying one.
The Vauxhall Zafira showed it was possible to build an easy-to-drive, easy-to-park MPV that really could handle more than five people.
Look in the rear of a Zafira and youll see theres a lot more luggage space than you might imagine is possible in such a compact car, but you may possibly not realise it can actually seat seven.
Thats because Vauxhalls Flex Seven seating arrangement is one of the most innovative and convenient around.
With no effort at all, the seats can be raised out of their stowed position under the load floor or simply slotted back in again.
So, instead of looking like an extended MPV, the Zafira is beautifully proportioned.
Its lines aren't compromised by its third row of two seats.
So when you throw the VXR spice into the mix, you really have a stunning motoring package.
All Zafiras are sporty, but put your foot to the floor in the VXR and youd better be prepared for excitement behind the wheel many would not believe possible in this type of car.
The VXR is more than capable of consigning hot hatches to its rear view mirrors with dazzling acceleration and handling to match.
In corners, the VXR lives up to its road-hugging looks by not only hanging on tightly to the road, but also by keeping body roll to an absolute minimum.
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What to look out for when buying a used Vauxhall Zafira
Vauxhall/Opel has sold millions of Zafiras so you wouldn’t expect every single one to be trouble-free — and the second-generation Zafira (from 2005) has certainly had some problems.
Official recalls have been for faulty trailer hitch bolts and for a new steering shift, but there are many more common issues.
Owners have needed new starters, alternators, ignition coils and turbos, and suffered failures in the engine management, water pump, timing belt, exhaust gas regulation, catalytic converter and diesel particulate filter systems, resulting in power losses and breakdowns.
The 1.9 CDTi appears to have been particularly problem-prone, and many relatively new vehicles have required replacement engines, clutches, flywheels and gearboxes; the 2.2 CDTi has also had its issues, including fuel pump failures.
Other common complaints include overheating, niggles with the door locks and door fit, heating/ventilation/air-con, headlights and windscreen washer jets, water leaks into the footwells, electrical failures, steering and suspension faults and premature rusting
It can also be pretty easy to knick your spare wheel too.
Correct maintenance — including regular oil changes and scheduled replacement of the timing belt — is crucial, so check service history carefully.
The Zafira was 12th out of 15 in its class in the 2012 JD Power/What Car? survey of customer satisfaction.