Opel Zafira Tourer 2.0 CDTi 165 CV, road test (Equipment, prices and overall assessment)

After a week spending time with the Opel Zafira Tourer, it’s now time to wrap up this road test of an MPV that has impressed us with its versatility, finish level and interior space. The mechanical variant we tested in the Zafira Tourer was the most powerful diesel in the range, a 2.0-litre with 165 CV.

Everything about the engine, performance and handling was covered in the first part of the test. A very performance-oriented engine with fairly composed and agile handling for an MPV. On the other side of the balance, smoothness is an area for improvement in this powertrain.

In the second part of the test we looked at interior space, undoubtedly the strong point of the Zafira Tourer, above all thanks to its seating system and its seven seats. Space and build quality are its two great assets, along with an interior versatility and practicality that is always welcome in an MPV of this kind.

And now in the third part of the test we turn to the equipment, without overlooking safety equipment, prices and also our overall assessment of the Opel Zafira Tourer.

Equipment

The first thing we review in this section is the standard equipment regarding safety. Within this equipment we can highlight items such as stability control, driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags, active front headrests, among other features.

In the EuroNCAP tests it achieved the coveted five stars, so this is a safe vehicle, built to current safety standards with comprehensive standard safety equipment.

The equipment on the Zafira Tourer is structured across three trim levels: Expression, Selective and Excellence. Even the base trim comes standard with front electric windows, cruise control, CD-MP3 radio, air conditioning and five seats. From the second trim level up, seven seats come as standard, along with features such as rear electric windows, dual-zone climate control, steering-wheel audio controls and a front armrest.

Finally, in the Excellence trim we get the Flex 7 seating system, which allows the central rear seat to fold down to form two armrests, or greater flexibility in arranging the rear seating space by sliding the rear seats to suit. It also adds features such as 17-inch alloy wheels, rain and light sensor, Bluetooth, CD-MP3 radio with seven speakers and AUX input, and fog lights.

Finally, we cannot overlook the new equipment available on the Zafira Tourer, such as adaptive cruise control (700 euros), which automatically maintains speed relative to the car ahead, or the traffic sign recognition system (which we have already seen on the Insignia), as well as the blind spot detection system and parking assistant.

This last system, unlike others, doesn’t steer the wheel on its own, but it gives you instructions so you can turn the wheel and park in a guided manner in the space available. It works well, but nowadays some MPVs already steer automatically, although it is cheaper than other automatic parking systems (550 euros, including the blind spot warning system).

There are some extras that should come as standard such as the rear LED lights, which cost 300 euros, and which should be standard equipment. And finally, a recommended extra is the AFL+ headlight system, which includes bi-xenon lights. I say it is recommended because it offers high light quality and excellent visibility in any situation thanks to the bi-xenon and the cornering lights.

Prices

• Opel Zafira Tourer Expression from 20,027 euros
• Opel Zafira Tourer Selective from 23,222 euros
• Opel Zafira Tourer Excellence from 25,337 euros

In the case of our test unit, which came fully loaded, as it is the most powerful diesel engine, the most expensive interior finish with perforated leather, all the extras, from the bi-xenon lights to the wheels, adaptive cruise control or the premium navigation system with 7 speakers, as well as the FlexRide adaptive chassis system, all of this had a final price of 34,549 euros (promotional discount included).

Overall Assessment

A great step forward with finishes that aim at the premium segment and space as its banner. I think this is the sentence that best sums up the Zafira Tourer: a large MPV with numerous practical solutions in its interior.

The build quality is on a par with the Opel Insignia, so it is a more than acceptable level, in line with the premium segment. Furthermore, in the design area a good job has been done in updating the MPV and giving it a more dynamic and modern look.

The weak point, if I have to find a fault, is the engine. It is powerful and performance-oriented, and the Zafira Tourer’s handling is more than acceptable, but the powertrain lacks smoothness and its consumption figures could be a little tighter. Other similar diesel engines are more economical, just as there are other powertrains that stand out for being smoother. The 165 CV 2.0 CDTI trades smoothness and economy for performance, but it is not a sports car, so perhaps smoothness would be valued more in this segment.

And the final point is the price, which is undeniably competitive. Because it offers seven seats, a more than complete equipment level typical of the premium segment, as well as a powerful 165 CV engine, at a price where the main premium saloons usually start with rather sparse equipment.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira and the test team