Used Vauxhall Zafira Tourer (2012-2018)

Vauxhall Zafira prices from £4,665   Finance from £95 per month

The Vauxhall Zafira Tourer was one of the very best family cars you could buy a decade ago. However, it became clear that the market for spacious people carriers simply isn't there anymore thanks to the monumental popularity of SUVs, so the Zafira was quietly taken out of production in 2018. So if you want to make use of one of the most practical cars there ever was, you'll have to buy a used one.

Which is a shame. Because when approaching a family car like this with the head in control of the heart, there is plenty to recommend about the Zafira Tourer. One of its most appealing features is the third row of seats that fold flush into the floor, meaning you either have seven seats, or a huge amount of boot space.

It's also incredibly good value, even more so now that its only available on the used market, a car of this size and quality for less than £15,000 is an absolute bargain compared with similarly equipped seven-seat SUVs of around the same age.

Also in that price range are similarly neglected people carriers including the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, Ford Grand C-Max, Renault Grand Scenic and Volkswagen Touran. If you need something bigger you also have the option of a Ford S-Max, Seat Alhambra or VW Sharan. You'll like be looking at older, higher mileage models for the same price as a Zafira Tourer, but you get much more overall space for passengers and luggage.

The car underwent a facelift and simplifications to the engine range in 2016. There are three core engines for used car buyers – a petrol and two diesels, which will have differing appeal depending on your usage. Most will be happy with the smooth and economical 1.6-litre diesel, which Vauxhall calls a 'Whisper' diesel. Admittedly, there are some people carriers that feel less like a half-asleep parent, and are a little bit more stimulating to drive. The Ford S-Max is the best in that respect.

However, when sitting at 70mph on the motorway the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer makes a good case for itself as a long distance cruiser, as it's quieter than the Renault Grand Scenic or Ford S-Max.

The most important factor in a family people carrier is space and practicality and in this area the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer is right up there. Pockets and compartments abound. The seats all fold flat into the floor but when in use the middle seat in the second row is narrow and there's a hump in the floor that’s annoying. The rearmost seats too aren't really large enough to seat adults for any meaningful duration, but that’s an issue in common with most cars in this class.

And even though there's a large, panoramic windscreen, the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer's small windows and dark trim means it feels less airy and spacious than the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso.

The Zafira also scored a maximum five star Euro NCAP rating when it launched, but it only features two Isofix mounts for child seats, where several rivals will offer three.