Some cars offer a lot of scope for improvement. Vauxhall's Zafira, however, was never one of them. It fulfilled its brief brilliantly in offering seven seat family transport that was safe, affordable, reliable and enjoyable. Vauxhall subsequently reaped the rewards, the Zafira being the biggest seller of all European mini-MPVs, eclipsing the Renault Scenic in a market the French company once called their own. Replacing the Zafira was never going to be easy, but Vauxhall have got the MK2 model just right.

It's been improved in recent times with a smarter look that includes extra chrome detailing on the radiator grille, smarter foglamp surrounds, restyled rear lamp clusters and chrome detailing on the front headlamp lenses. Curtain airbags become standard on all Zafira models, while Design, Elite and VXR models also get new piano black interior detailing around the audio and ventilation controls.

The one thing you can never have enough of in an MPV-style vehicle is space and sure enough, the tale of the tape reveals that the Zafira has succumbed, if not to middle age spread, then at least a little loosening of the belt. This is perhaps understandable given the fact that with utility vehicles like the Meriva mopping up sales in the supermini-MPV class and no recognised full-sized MPV contender, there was a vacuum into which the Zafira would be drawn. Six inches longer, 1.5 inches wider and a shade taller than the first generation car, the latest Zafira retains the seven-seat configuration, with a middle bench seat offering three berths and two seats in the back that also fold flat into the floor.

What has changed in the second generation model is the amount of legroom on offer to the occupants. Whereas the MK1 car would have been hideously cramped with all seven seats in use, the latest model offers a little more breathing space. It's still not ideally suited to a rugby sevens team and their kit, but for the larger family, it's close to perfect. As before, the seating system is so versatile that the Zafira can be configured in two, three, four, five, six or seven seat guises in a matter of seconds.

"The Zafira looks set to dominate the sales charts again"

Most buyers will run in five-seat format, and in this mode the Vauxhall can cope with 620-litres of luggage - fully 20 more than the first generation car. Depending on the trim level, the Zafira can also boast up to 30 storage compartments. The 'Flex Organiser' luggage bay stowage system that has proved a success with Astra Estate buyers is also available on the Zafira.

It is to the Astra that the Zafira owes many of its exterior design cues. Whereas the MK1 Zafira was clearly related to the Astra Mk IV, the current model looks for all the world like a MkV Astra Estate that's been attached to a garage airline. A particularly interesting feature is the optional panorama roof. With four large glass panels, this system offers passengers a light, airy atmosphere in the back, while tinted glass and a powered shade protect against dazzle. A centre console running the length of the ceiling has a number of overhead compartments.

A wide range of engines are offered and the Zafira makes good use of Vauxhall's 140bhp 1.8-litre ECOTEC powerplant. If you owned a MK1 Zafira 1.8-litre petrol model, you'll find that this engine has 14 per cent more power, consumes four per cent less fuel, has improved flexibility and is a good deal more refined. The 140bhp power output means this 1.8-litre engine is one of the most powerful in this class, but it's far from being a highly-stressed race engine with peaky power delivery. Thanks to advanced valve and cam phasing technology, 90 per cent of the 175Nm maximum torque is available from 2200 to 6200 rpm. This wide range ensures lively performance and exceptional pulling power even at low engine speeds, making everyday driving more relaxed with less need to change gear.

Vauxhall pioneered the concept of the performance mini-MPV with the GSi Turbo version of the MK1 Zafira and filling that niche even more emphatically is the Zafira VXR. From the VXR sub brand of high performance vehicles, this model can call upon a 240bhp powerplant that will rocket the car to 60mph in 7 seconds flat and on to a top speed of 144mph. With 320Nm of torque in reserve, this Zafira has as much muscle as a Porsche Boxster S. If the growing family means that you've had to shelve plans for a sporty car, here's the perfect antidote. With a honeycomb grille, a larger front bumper (with a central air intake) and fog lights, the VXR has serious rear-view mirror presence. Deep sill extensions, twin tailpipes and 18-inch alloy wheels ensure that bystanders know what they're looking at. The interior features Recaro sports seats and a sports steering wheel and gear lever.

With prices starting at £13,415 for the 1.6-litre Expression model, Vauxhall aims to put a big hole in the hopes of the budget contenders. Model for model, the Zafira looks to be around £350 cheaper than its predecessor at the lower end of the scale. Vauxhall even claim that a Zafira 1.6-litre Life works out at around £1,000 cheaper than an equivalently specified Renault Grand Scenic. That's not to be sniffed at.

As well as the recently introduced Exclusiv trim level, there's a choice of Expression, Life, Club, Design, SRi, Elite and VXR specs and aside from the engines previously touched upon, there's also a 2.2-litre direct injection petrol, a 200bhp 2.0-litre turbo and 1.9-litre common rail diesel powerplants of 120bhp and 150bhp outputs.

Zafiras have always made a lot of sense but for too long were deficient in terms of visual pizzazz and interior wow factor. No longer. The Mk V Astra has these qualities in spades and lending them to the latest Zafira isn't the work of a genius, a process enhanced further by the recent changes. Expect to see Vauxhall remain at the top of the mini-MPV sales charts.

TOP 5 ZAFIRA DEALS

The results below show the top ZAFIRA deals on buyacar

	Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 CDTi Exclusiv [120] 5dr People Carrier
	ETR	Mthly £267	Saving £2,321	Price £14,013
	Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 CDTi Design [120] 5dr [Euro 4] People Carrier
	ETR	Mthly £325	Saving £4,218	Price £15,556
	Vauxhall Zafira 1.6i Life 5dr [AC] People Carrier
	ETR	Mthly £263	Saving £3,324	Price £12,629
	Vauxhall Zafira 2.0T VXR 5dr People Carrier
	ETR	Mthly £422	Saving £2,607	Price £19,757
	Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 CDTi Exclusiv [120] 5dr Auto People Carrier
	ETR	Mthly £293	Saving £2,532	Price £15,174

typical 13.24% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000