Opel Zafira’s van-tastic

IT HAS been a good few weeks on the van front in our motoring garage.

First we had the Hyundai Staria Multi Cab, then the Kia Carnival and most recently Opel’s new Zafira Life Edition.

The Life edition is Opel’s entry level van while the Life Elegance the higher specced option.

Measuring 5.30m in length and almost 2m in height, the Zafira is a proper bus and it has eight seats. The second and third rows are movable and detachable.

Opel has done a good job integrating the bonnet, lights, tinted windows and double sliding doors into an attractive package.

The touchscreen infotainment system is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible but the seven-inch screen does look somewhat lost within the large cabin space.

There’s a few hard plastic areas and some more strategically placed soft-touch surfaces would have made a significant improvement.

Power comes courtesy of a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine that delivers 110kW and 370Nm coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission, powering the front wheels.

It’s no slouch and will willingly pick up speed with the cogs changing effortlessly. Passing slower traffic is easy enough with two up, but you may have to do some planning fully loaded.

It will likely also push up your consumption from the 6.3l/100km that Opel claims.

The high driving position gives you a comfortable commanding position from which to observe around you, especially potholes which after the rains have become more frequent and much bigger.

Driving along a stretch of corrugated dirt road properly tested the soundproofing, and for a vehicle with such a large interior it was pleasantly quiet, with only the occasional rattle.

The ABS works a treat as I found out when an Avanza taxi didn’t bother to stop at a red light.

Furthermore there’s front and side airbags, driver attention alert and forward brake assist.

The Opel Zafira Life is a welcome addition to the van segment for those that don’t want to splurge.

It comes with a five-year/100 000km service plan, a three-year/120000km warranty and three-year roadside assistance.

PRICING

Opel Zafira Life Edition: R749 900 Opel Zafira Life Elegance: R869 900