fbpx

Independent, impartial advice for car buyers and car owners

Find an Expert Rating: 
Expert Rating

Vauxhall Zafira Tourer (2011 to 2018)

Our unique Expert Rating Index combines scores from 35 of the top UK motoring websites to give you a definitive rating on every new car

Expert Rating

Vauxhall Zafira Tourer (2011 to 2018)

Not a current model

    Summary


    The Vauxhall Zafira Tourer was a seven-seat people carrier that first arrived on UK roads at the end of 2011. It was discontinued in mid-2018 as Vauxhall looked to target the SUV market instead.

    Available as a petrol or diesel model, the Zafira Tourer had the same basic underpinnings as the last-generation Astra, and many reviewers commented that this had a positive impact on the Zafira Tourer’s driving abilities.

    “Its steering is pleasingly quick”, What Car? explained. “There’s plenty of grip and very little lean, and its handling is entirely predictable and safe, if not immeasurably good fun.”

    As well as being surprisingly agile, the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer was praised for its comfortable cabin and an efficient range of engines, though some found the ride comfort to be rather firm and the diesel powertrains to be quite noisy at speed.

    A few reviews tabled criticisms of the Zafira’s infotainment too, which Vauxhall updated as part of the car’s 2016 facelift, but the newer system has not aged very well either.

    That said, motoring outlets collectively agreed at the Zafira Tourer was an affordable option for long-distance seven-seater travel with little fuss. “It has everything a family could need”, Auto Express concluded. “It offers smart looks, a spacious cabin and, apart from entry-level models, lots of equipment.”

    No longer on sale, the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer holds a Used Car Expert Rating of 67%, based on 32 different UK reviews as of October 2023.

    Zafira Tourer highlights

    • Flexible and practical seven-seater
    • A comfortable and well-equipped cabin
    • Value-for-money option second hand
    • Quality range of engines
    • Surprisingly nimble on the road

    Zafira Tourer lowlights

    • Entry-level models are pretty basic
    • Diesel engines are rather noisy
    • Dated infotainment
    • Frim ride comfort
    • Cramped rear row of seating

    Key specifications


    Body style: People carrier
    Engines:
    petrol, diesel
    Price when new:
    From £25,445 on-road

    Launched: Winter 2011/12
    Last updated: Summer 2016
    Discontinued: Summer 2018


    Media reviews


    Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

    Auto Express

    +

    Auto Trader

    +

    Autocar

    +

    Business Car

    +

    Car

    +

    Car Keys

    +

    Carbuyer

    +

    Carwow

    +

    Eurekar

    +

    Fleetworld

    +

    Heycar

    +

    Honest John

    +

    Motors.co.uk

    +

    Parkers

    +

    The Sun

    +

    The Sunday Times

    +

    The Telegraph

    +

    Top Gear

    +

    What Car?

    +

    Which?

    +

    Safety rating


    Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

    Overall score: 5 stars
    Date tested: October 2011
    Date expired: January 2018
    Read the full Euro NCAP review

    Adult protection: 94%
    Child protection: 83%
    Vulnerable road users: 53%
    Safety assist: 86%

    Notes on safety rating

    The Vauxhall Zafira was awarded a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP back when this model was launched in 2011. However, this rating expired in January 2018 and is no longer valid, as the Zafira no longer met the requirements for a five-star car. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

    However, if you are comparing a used Vauxhall Zafira Tourer to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.

    Eco rating


    Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

    No eco rating

    The Vauxhall Zafira Tourer was never lab tested by Green NCAP as its production cycle pre-dated the progamme.

    Reliability rating

    MotorEasy logo 600x167

    Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

    All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

    As of October 2022, the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer has a better-than-average reliability score of 66%, according to exclusive extended warranty data provided by our partners at MotorEasy. The average repair cost for a Zafira Tourer is also very good at less than £350, which is good news if you are considering a used Zafira Tourer.

    The most common faults to date have related to the electrical systems and the engine, although average repair costs for both compare well with similar vehicles. Most other faults have been relatively inexpensive to fix as well.

    If you’re looking at a used Vauxhall Zafira Tourer, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of the potential problem areas shown in the charts above.

    Awards


    Trophies, prizes and awards that the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer has received

    2018

    • What Car? Awards – Best MPV for Less Than £20,000

    2016

    • BusinessCar Awards – Best Mini-MPV

    2013

    • CarSite Awards – Best Large MPV
    • Fleet News Awards – Best Full-size People Carrier

    2012

    • Towcar Awards – Best MPV

    Similar cars


    If you’re looking at the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer, you might also be interested in these alternatives

    BMW 2 Series Gran TourerCitroën Grand C4 SpaceTourer | Ford Galaxy | Ford Grand C-Max | Ford S-Max | Mazda 5 | Renault Grand Scenic | SEAT Alhambra | Volkswagen Sharan

    Buy a used Vauxhall Zafira Tourer


    If you’re looking to buy a Vauxhall Zafira Tourer, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car

    Cazoo 600x300

    Buy a car online from your sofa. We’ll deliver it. Find out more

    Motors 600x300

    Search less, live more. We make finding the right car simple. Find out more

    Carwow logo 600x300

    Discover great deals available on both new and used cars. Find out more

    Auto Trader logo 600x300

    Search for your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more

    Car subscriptions


    If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help (PS: What’s a car subscription?)

    Mycardirect subscriptions – 600x300

    Car subscriptions from Mycardirect.
    Find out more

    Wagonex logo 2022

    Car subscriptions from Wagonex.
    Find out more

    Cocoon Vehicles logo 600x300

    Car subscriptions from Cocoon.
    Find out more

    Drive Fuze logo 600x300

    Car subscriptions from Drive Fuze.
    Find out more

    Used car finance

    Looking for an alternative to dealer finance? The Car Expert's partners can help
    We Finance Any Car 400x200

    Used car finance from We Finance Any Car.
    Find out more

    Blue Motor Finance

    Used car finance from Blue Motor Finance.
    Find out more

    Happy Motor Finance 600x300

    Used car finance from Happy Motor Finance.
    Find out more

    Quick Car Finance logo 800x400

    Used car finance from Quick Car Finance.
    Find out more

    Sell your car

    Do you have a car to sell? The Car Expert's partners can offer you a great price
    Motorway 600x300

    Get a free valuation in seconds from Motorway.
    Find out more

    Cazoo 600x300

    Get a free and instant offer for your car from Cazoo.
    Find out more

    Carwow logo 600x300

    The free, easy way to get 3,000+ dealers all over the UK bidding on your car.
    Find out more

    Auto Trader logo 600x300

    Get a cash offer for your car in minutes from Auto Trader.
    Find out more

    This page last updated:

    This page contains links to some of our commercial partners. If you click on any of those links, we may receive a commission.

    Best car rankings

    The top cars in every category

    The Car Expert has the ultimate ranking of the best and worst new cars on sale, based on scores from 30 of the top UK motoring websites. We're adding more cars and more lists all the time, so keep checking back for the latest results.

    Best car rankings

    The top cars in every category

    The Car Expert has the ultimate ranking of the best and worst new cars on sale, based on scores from 30 of the top UK motoring websites. We'll be adding more cars and more lists all the time, so keep checking back for the latest results.

    No longer on sale, the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer is one of the best all-rounders in the people carrier class, though its now showing its age.Vauxhall Zafira Tourer (2011 to 2018)