I think I won’t open America to you if I say that the format of passenger minibuses is not super popular with us. At least in the form in which the manufacturers themselves usually position it, as, in fact, a roomy car for a large family.
The more interesting it was for me to get acquainted with the hero of this material – Opel Zafira Life. By the way, there are two versions of the length of the car on the market: M and L. 5 and 5.3 meters in length. And all all-wheel drive versions are equipped with a manual gearbox, but if you want an automatic, then you will have to give up all-wheel drive. All details below.
Characteristics
- Engine: ICE, 4 cylinders, in-line, 2 liters, diesel.
- Power: 150 HP s., 370 Nm.
- Gearbox: mechanical.
- Drive: full.
- Average consumption during the test drive: 8.2 liters per 100 km.
- Drove: 822 km.
Meeting
I’ll be honest, all the most interesting in static
Usually I start with a description of the appearance, but the Zafira (like its brothers) does not look very catchy. Gently, yes, restrained … and all here for the sake of practicality. This is not Hyundai Staria, which surprises with its “cosmic” design. In general, summarizing, I would say that the heroine of this test drive looks nice.
Yes, indeed, thanks to the possibilities of transforming the interior and its overall format, the most interesting thing was climbing, touching and pressing everything that was possible inside. And by tradition, I’ll start with the stern.
The tailgate opens up and takes some getting used to. It does not have an electric drive, is heavy, and still very large. This should be taken into account if you park close to any obstacle in the back or in a parking / garage with a not very high ceiling. The button is in the bottom of the handle and … you need to immediately step back a little, otherwise, without skill, you can hit yourself, which is not very pleasant, agree. Closing will also take a little getting used to: pull with a jerk, and then hold so that the door does not hit the body much. By the way, it is more convenient to close it by the edge, and not by the loop.
Inside the luggage compartment you will be met by a spare wheel, which also blocks the trunk light bulb. I suspect that many will want to remove it altogether. And you can also remove the third row of seats, which is very convenient and will greatly increase the capacity.
I have an M-version of the car on the test (it is five meters long), and the trunk, with the third row unfolded, is not very big here. Backpacks and a couple of suitcases fit perfectly. Looking ahead, I’ll say that in fact, the most bewildering from the lack of thought is the luggage section.
But all the most interesting in the cabin. The Zafira Life has two sliding doors, in the Cosmo version they are also electrically operated, but there are no difficulties with a manual drive. Places in the cabin are really more than enough. The ceiling is moderately high, all the seats move easily and there are no difficulties with getting into the third row at all. There you will have air conditioning (six air ducts in total on the ceiling), one cigarette lighter socket and cup holders on the sides. Plus, adjustable backrests and a “chandelier” on the ceiling. By the way, Zafira has an ISOFIX child seat in all seats (except the driver, of course). And the third row is not at all crowded if you ask the passengers of the second row to move forward a little. But the movement of the third row back rests on the same spare wheel. But, as you already understood, there is a lot of room for configuration. For example, a third of the second row sofa can be removed without any tool at all.
The second row is not much different from the third. There is also climate control, backrest adjustment and … a cigarette lighter socket in the side rack almost on the floor. Also on the ceiling is the climate control unit, but it is turned on in front, by the driver. It is also worth noting two reclining tables with elastic fasteners in the chairs of the first row. The front seats at the back are trimmed with plastic and have nets for small things. There are also nets on the windows of sliding doors, but, to be honest, it is very difficult to look through them – it dazzles your eyes. In fact, the only thing you can blame the second row for is the lack of sensible cup holders, which, you see, is more minus on the road. Actually the only coasters that are in the tables. They are very shallow and it is extremely inconvenient to keep anything there and is fraught with flooding of the entire cabin.
Interestingly, there is nothing in the center between the front seats, and with proper dexterity, you can move back and forth around the cabin. I’ve parked quite close to neighboring cars a couple of times, and the front doors are wide, so I had to get out through the sliding door, which is quite convenient.
In front, the Zafira has a lot of niches for all sorts of good things. These are two glove compartments in the dashboard (the lower one with cooling), and a niche on top of the dashboard, and a small one in the center. Not to mention the deep door cards.
Infotainment equipment here is visually modest, but everything is on point. Android Auto with CarPlay is also available. For connection, the only USB connector in the car is used. But in front there are two more cigarette lighters … The climate is three-zone and all push-button, which is convenient. There is also such a useful thing as the degree of airflow in the automatic climate mode.
The driver is equipped with blind spot monitoring, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, as well as a rear-view camera. Yes, not that much, but all the necessary set for comfortable use both in the city and on a trip is available.
A few words about the steering wheel. It is ergonomically very comfortable, the knobs are rubberized, and the buttons are perfectly read blindly. But the location of the buttons is strange: on the left is the volume and switching the menu of the tidy screen, and on the right is switching tracks and receiving calls. Tidy, by the way, is as simple as possible, but it reads well and the on-board computer displays the necessary standard information.
Fortunately, with the headlights and windshield wipers there was nothing tricky. The cruise control unit is also separate on the steering column, but it is very comfortable to use by touch.
In conclusion, I will say that the salon is very pleased. I have not had a chance to study the interiors of minibuses for a long time and carefully, but here it happened. And since I managed to travel, I can confidently say that everything inside is comfortable and excellent visibility. There is a mini-mirror to look at the passengers. But what I’ll complain about is the ill-conceived cup holders and only one USB connector. If you often load the salon with family or friends, you will have to stock up on chargers.
Oh yes, only two front seats are heated.
Before you go, a gallery of the transformation of the cabin.
Let’s hit the road
Fast paced and comfortable for everyone
I think you have already understood that Zafira Life is easy to load with a large company. Time to talk about the impressions in dynamics.
The first thing I notice when I sit behind the wheel is excellent visibility. Yes, the vertical side mirrors will take some getting used to. But in the center everything is clearly visible. Not so long ago, I had Exeed VX on the test, and so there, almost nothing is visible in the central mirror, but here everything is fine.
The steering wheel is hydraulically boosted, which is why there is an excellent balance between the clarity of the car’s behavior and the comfort of taxiing. Well, the ergonomics and the grip of the steering wheel are decent.
Since the car is on the mechanics, a few words about the pen. It is a little tight, the move is average and it will take some getting used to positioning. But no complications. Pedals also with optimal travel.
By the way, it should be borne in mind that there is a very bus landing. You sit high, vertical, well, except that the steering wheel is not almost horizontal, like in a bus.
The first meters pass in impressions of traction. 370 N • m, also on the mechanics, very cheerfully. Yes, the local two-liter turbodiesel is not about “pulling”, but it allows you to be in the shape of the flow both in the city at traffic lights and on the highway, which, you see, is a great compliment. More is not needed.
By the way, in a city with traffic jams, you will get about 10-11 liters per hundred, on the highway, about 7.6 liters.
Parktronics and a camera will help you park. The latter, although one, but draws a picture of the place where you have already passed.
While driving, all the rest did not give stub buttons on the panel. Yes, the manufacturer has made a reserve for modifications by the owners. You can also see the all-wheel drive drive from Dangel.
At the end I will mention the suspension. I nicknamed it “bouncy jelly”. It seems to be soft and sways a little, but it does not lead to breakdowns or shocks. It’s not that I provoked her, but with five passengers on board and on completely “non-GOST” speed bumps, there were no difficulties, as well as on pits and bumps.
Review
Zafira can become a faithful travel companion
If your life involves big friendly outings or a crowded family, then the Opel Zafira Life can be a great companion.
A lot of space (and there is also an extended version), the variability of interior combinations, good equipment with everything you need and all-wheel drive as a good help in difficult areas. What more could you want?
Here are just coffee cups from the gas station in the early morning, all your passengers will be holding in their hands. And someone will have to hold yours, too, if you like more than average containers.
I spent an excellent two weeks at Opel Zafira Life and am glad for this new experience and, if I had a reason, I would consider buying such a car.
Pros:
- capacity;
- profitability;
- numerous possibilities for the transformation of the cabin.
Minuses:
- there are ergonomic blunders, for example, cup holders.
May not like:
- with all-wheel drive, only a manual is available.
Source: Trash Box
I am Joyce Corbett and I have been working in the news industry for over 10 years. My current role is as an author at World Stock Market, where I focus primarily on the tech section. My specialty is creating engaging content that helps to explain and demystify complex financial topics.
