2003 Vauxhall Zafira Design review from UK and Ireland

After 8 months, the roller blind luggage cover failed to retract. It was replaced under warranty, and that is all so far.

The build quality is very good and they have a splendid reliability record.

I chose the Zafira for its ease of entry and exit.The Zafira offers this ease of entry and egress and it is extremely supportive in its seating position on long journeys.

The gutsy 1.8i engine has coped with everything we have asked of it so far and does so satisfyingly economically, returning in the region of 38 - 40 mpg overall.

Several holidays have passed without incident and the Zafira has never failed to satisfy, always giving us a smooth and comfortable roomy ride with ample luggage carrying capacity too.

We have regularly shifted fairly large loads and there is plenty of room in the back with the seats folded to accommodate freezers and the like and be able to close the rear door.

Although there is the superb Flex-7 rear seating arrangement available, we haven't so far needed to use it except for once when a friend's large family of youngsters demanded a road test in this configuration. They just loved it! The system is simplicity itself to set up.

Now that a touring caravan is on the shopping list, Zafira will be fitted with a manufacturers tow bar and I'm sure that she will perform well towing too.

It is perhaps the best car that I have ever owned.