Opel Zafira Tourer 2.0 CDTi 165 CV, road test (Exterior design, interior and space)

We continue with the road test of the Opel Zafira Tourer, the new German MPV that not only renews its name, but also its exterior design, engine range and, above all, its interior space. Our test unit housed under its bonnet a two-litre turbodiesel engine producing 165 CV.

This engine has been developed in collaboration with the Group Fiat. You can find out everything about the engine and performance of the Zafira Tourer in the first part of the road test, and overall it delivers correct and more dynamic behaviour than usual for the MPV segment.

Now we come to the second part of the road test, where, as usual, we analyse the exterior and interior design. Inside, we also review the space, the finish of the materials, storage spaces and the boot. We can already tell you that this is the strong point of the Opel Zafira Tourer.

Exterior design

At the front, the Zafira Tourer recalls the Ampera. Those boomerang-shaped elements linking the headlights with the fog lights are inherited directly from the Ampera and symbolise the brand’s new design language. Overall, you can see more pronounced lines and a much sleeker front end than the previous generation.

The bi-xenon headlights are adaptive and, for the first time on this brand, they feature automatic high-beam activation and deactivation. The daytime running lights are the same as those seen on the Insignia, Astra or Meriva, although with LED technology if you choose the bi-xenon headlights.

From the side, the design is based on the Insignia: clean shapes, with only a design line on the lower part of the doors that already debuted on the Opel Insignia. The rest of the side design is simple, elegant and clean in form. It features a large glazed side surface, which lets plenty of light into the interior and even more so if you opt for the panoramic roof.

At the rear, the inspiration comes from the Meriva: larger in size, but with a very similar design. The glazed area of the heated rear window, in dark tint, takes centre stage, and the rest of the tailgate has simple shapes. In the middle, chrome details and the Opel logo.

Interior design, space and build quality

When we sit behind the wheel, the first thing that catches the eye is the dashboard design. It is an old acquaintance, as it is based on the Insignia and Astra, with very similar controls and, above all, outstanding quality. All the plastics are of good quality, with a soft, pleasant touch. You have to look hard to find any hard plastic on the dashboard.

The driving position is good, slightly elevated and with good visibility. In addition, the feel of the optional leather seats was very good, in keeping with a high-end vehicle, and the micro-perforated leather is welcome in summer. The extendable thigh support completed the comfort of comfortable front seats; the leather, however, is optional.

On the other hand, in the second and third rows, the most notable aspects are the space and the modularity. The central seat of the second row can be converted into two armrests for the two side seats (which can also slide further back), or each seat in this second row can be moved independently to gain space in the third row.

The backrests of the second-row seats are also adjustable, so there is a good range of configurations for every need. For example, if we travel six people, they can do so comfortably with the central seat folded, or if we need all seven seats, we can restore it in a few seconds.

Access to the third row is good, it can be reached without much trouble and quickly. There is enough legroom, and even an adult could travel in the third row if they are no taller than 1.75 m; the seatbacks are also generous.

In other words, the new Opel Zafira Tourer stands out not only for an interior finished to the standard of the Insignia, but also for its modularity and space, both for seven occupants and fewer, because even with all seven seats in use the car is comfortable and there is enough room.

Storage and boot

The second area where the Zafira Tourer excels is storage and practical solutions, because it inherits features already seen on the Meriva, which add a plus of practicality to the interior, and there is more than enough storage throughout the cabin.

In the central tunnel it has the centre-rail, a solution I already mentioned from the Meriva, where a rail carries the armrest with a glovebox included, below it a tray with cup holders that can be hidden or not, and below that an even deeper glovebox for our things. In other words, across three levels we have everything from a glovebox to cup holders and an armrest.

The boot has a capacity of 710 litres with five seats, a high figure, especially when compared with other similar MPVs. With the seven seats in place it can hold 152 litres in the boot.

Before we finish, we must not forget the ambient lighting. Nowadays this is an aspect that is receiving more and more attention, and the Zafira Tourer also surprises in this respect. A series of LED lights outline the door armrests and the centre tunnel.

In the third part we will focus on standard equipment, without forgetting safety equipment, and we will close the road test with our overall assessment and prices.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira

Technical specifications of this car

Passenger VanOpel Zafira4 versions · from 45,690 €