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Photo of a Vauxhall Zafira

Vauxhall Zafira

1999 Zafira: seven seats to two in 15 seconds, with every seat still aboard.1

Researched October 30, 2026 from 25 sources

Also called

  • Lounge on wheelsA Tourer description tied to optional Lounge Seating, which turns the center backrest into armrests for the outer passengers.1
  • Daddy CoolAssociated with the GSi's television advertisement; the later VXR inspired the wordplay 'Baddy Cool'.2

At a glance

0150300
81–237 hpPower
01020
7.8–17 s0–100 km/h
0125250
160–232 km/hTop speed
0200400
150–400 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,320–1,685 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.2371112

Engine
1.4-2.2 L petrol; 1.6-2.2 L turbodiesel; all inline-fours3
Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive3
Gearbox
5/6-speed manual; 4/6-speed auto; Zafira B 1.8 also offered Easytronic35
Built at
Bochum/Rüsselsheim plants, Germany; Zafira B also Gliwice, Poland3
Units built
First generation: about 1.4 million by February 20055

The story

Created as an Astra-based MPV, the Zafira arrived in 1999 with seven seats and Flex7. The original's third row folded into the floor, freeing cargo space without removing seats.13

1999: Flex7 launches; Golden Steering Wheel19992000: Third in European Car of the Year20002005: Zafira B follows 1.4 million originals · 237 hp for the seven-seat VXR20052006: 8:54.38 at the Nürburgring20062012: UK Tourer C joins; B stays until 201420122013: 192 hp BiTurbo joins the Tourer20132016: Tourer gets a new face and touchscreen20162018: UK sales end in June2018 Vauxhall Sintra: 1997–1999Vauxhall Zafira A (T98): 1999–2005T98Vauxhall Zafira B (A05): 2005–2014A05Vauxhall Zafira Tourer C (A11): 2012–2018A11Opel Zafira Life: From 2019Opel Zafira Life 200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones1319
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1997–1999Vauxhall Sintra
1999–2005Vauxhall Zafira A (T98)
2005–2014Vauxhall Zafira B (A05)
2012–2018Vauxhall Zafira Tourer C (A11)
From 2019Opel Zafira Life
1999Flex7 launches; Golden Steering Wheel
2000Third in European Car of the Year
2005Zafira B follows 1.4 million originals
2005237 hp for the seven-seat VXR
20068:54.38 at the Nürburgring
2012UK Tourer C joins; B stays until 2014
2013192 hp BiTurbo joins the Tourer
2016Tourer gets a new face and touchscreen
2018UK sales end in June
  1. 1999

    Flex7 launches; Golden Steering Wheel

    Flex7 folds the third row into the floor; maximum cargo volume is 1,700 liters. UK sales begin in May, with a Golden Steering Wheel in its first year.14

  2. 2000

    Third in European Car of the Year

    The Zafira finishes third, behind the Fiat Multipla and Toyota Yaris.3

  3. 2005

    Zafira B follows 1.4 million originals

    About 1.4 million originals have been built by February. Zafira B arrives with 1.9-liter common-rail diesels in three power levels.35

  4. 2005

    237 hp for the seven-seat VXR

    The VXR shares its 2.0-liter turbo with the Astra VXR. The less conspicuous SRi uses the old GSi's 197 hp engine.26

  5. 2006

    8:54.38 at the Nürburgring

    Manuel Reuter takes the Zafira OPC around the 20.8 km Nordschleife in 8:54.38, setting a compact-MPV lap record.7

  6. 2012

    UK Tourer C joins; B stays until 2014

    UK Tourer sales begin after over 2.2 million earlier Zafira sales. Its maximum cargo volume grows to 1,860 liters.138

  7. 2013

    192 hp BiTurbo joins the Tourer

    April brings the 192 hp 2.0 CDTi BiTurbo, using two sequential turbochargers. Its stay in the UK range lasts less than two years.910

  8. 2016

    Tourer gets a new face and touchscreen

    The facelift replaces the boomerang-shaped headlights, adds a touchscreen center console and brings a new steering wheel.11

  9. 2018

    UK sales end in June

    Vauxhall withdraws the Zafira Tourer from the UK as SUVs and crossovers gain ground.3

Every generation

  • Vauxhall Sintra
    Vauxhall Sintra1997–1999
  • Vauxhall Zafira A
    T981999–2005
  • Vauxhall Zafira B
    A052005–2014
  • Vauxhall Zafira Tourer C
    A112012–2018
  • Opel Zafira Life
    Opel Zafira LifeFrom 2019

Power over the years

From 81 hp to 237 hp in 6 years.

0100200300 2000200520102015 hp 1999 · 81 hp · Zafira A 2.0 DI2005 · 104 hp · Zafira B 1.6 TwinPort2005 · 148 hp · Zafira B 2.2 Direct / 1.9 CDTI2005 · 197 hp · Zafira B SRi Turbo2005 · 237 hp · Zafira B VXR2008 · 113 hp · Zafira B 1.6 TwinPort update2012 · 128 hp · Tourer 2.0 CDTI ecoFLEX2012 · 138 hp · Tourer 1.4 Turbo2013 · 134 hp · Tourer 1.6 CDTi2013 · 192 hp · Tourer 2.0 CDTi BiTurbo2015 · 168 hp · Tourer 2.0 CDTi update 237 hp Zafira B VXR 81 hp Zafira A 2.0 DI
235691213
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
199981Zafira A 2.0 DI
2005104Zafira B 1.6 TwinPort
2005148Zafira B 2.2 Direct / 1.9 CDTI
2005197Zafira B SRi Turbo
2005237Zafira B VXR
2008113Zafira B 1.6 TwinPort update
2012128Tourer 2.0 CDTI ecoFLEX
2012138Tourer 1.4 Turbo
2013134Tourer 1.6 CDTi
2013192Tourer 2.0 CDTi BiTurbo
2015168Tourer 2.0 CDTi update

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    Zafira A

    1999–2005

  • Standard

    Zafira B

    2005–2014

  • Standard

    Zafira Tourer ES

  • Standard

    Zafira Tourer Design

  • Zafira Tourer Tech Line

    Standard

    Zafira Tourer Tech Line

  • Standard

    Zafira Tourer Elite

  • Special

    Zafira B Excite

    2012

  • Performance

    Zafira SRi (197 hp)

    197 hp

  • Performance

    Zafira Tourer 2.0 CDTi BiTurbo

    192 hp

  • Performance

    Zafira GSi (2001 launch)

    2001

    192 hp
  • Zafira VXR

    Performance

    Zafira VXR

    237 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • Zafira B: boxy bodywork and a large glass area around a tall cabin.14
  • Tourer before its 2016 facelift: boomerang-shaped trim runs from the headlights to the foglights.1116
  • Tourer: sharply creased sides and a strong shoulder line.16
  • Tourer: large quarterlight windows beside the front pillars.16

Year by year

  1. 2003 (Zafira A)

    The facelift adds a chrome-edged grille, clear rear indicator lenses and body-colored door handles.317

  2. 2008 (Zafira B)

    Chrome highlights appear on the grille, foglight surrounds and headlights; rear light clusters get a new design.61418

  3. October 2016 (Tourer)

    Boomerang lights give way to a calmer nose; inside, a touchscreen center console and redesigned steering wheel replace the old layout.911

Don’t confuse it with

  • Vauxhall Sintra

    Larger than the original Zafira, with sliding rear doors on both sides.19

Prices

Value today $2.6K–$3.9K24

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K 200020052010201520202025 Value today: $2,600–$3,900 2001 · $16,344 · Germany 1.6 base; DM~$0.462005 · $40,031 · UK VXR; GBP~$1.822012 · $33,180 · UK Tourer 1.8 ES; GBP~$1.582013 · $43,189 · UK Tourer BiTurbo; GBP~$1.56 2025 · $2,600 · 2015 Tourer CDTi 130 Exclusive; mileage 100,300, Ewbanks (hammer) $2.6K Ewbanks (hammer), 2025
23810122325
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2001Price when new$16,344Germany 1.6 base; DM~$0.46
2005Price when new$40,031UK VXR; GBP~$1.82
2012Price when new$33,180UK Tourer 1.8 ES; GBP~$1.58
2013Price when new$43,189UK Tourer BiTurbo; GBP~$1.56
2025Auction sale$2,6002015 Tourer CDTi 130 Exclusive; mileage 100,300, Ewbanks (hammer)
2026Value today$2,600–$3,900

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “8:54.38 around the Nürburgring”
    • “The GSi's Daddy Cool TV moment”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 5 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 25 sources
  1. Riwal888 - Blog: !NEW! Opel Sets Flexibility Standards: 15 Years of the Flex7 Seating System riwal888.blogspot.com
  2. Vauxhall Zafira VXR | evo evo.co.uk
  3. Opel Zafira - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  4. It’s time to appreciate the Mk1 Vauxhall Zafira | Petrolblog petrolblog.com
  5. Weltpremiere auf dem 75. Genfer Automobilsalon / Der neue Zafira: Die zweite ... | Presseportal presseportal.de
  6. Used Vauxhall Zafira review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  7. Rundenrekord des Zafira OPC auf der Nürburgring-Nordschleife | Presseportal presseportal.de
  8. Vauxhall Zafira Tourer prices revealed | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  9. Used Vauxhall Zafira Tourer review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  10. Zafira gets BiTurbo diesel engine | News | by Car Enthusiast carenthusiast.com
  11. Vauxhall Zafira Tourer (2012 - 2018) review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  12. Modellpflege des Opel Zafira - Langzeittest Opel Zafira A Elegance 2.2 DTI - Langzeittest.de langzeittest.de
  13. opel-infos.de opel-infos.de
  14. Vauxhall Zafira MPV (2005-2014) review | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  15. Ascona C Info Seite - Zafira B Sondermodelle ascona-info.de
  16. Vauxhall Zafira Tourer 2.0 CDTI review | | | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  17. Opel Zafira Le calme avant la tempête - L'argus largus.fr
  18. Zafira given '08 touch-up | News | Vauxhall | by Car Enthusiast carenthusiast.com
  19. Opel Sintra - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  20. Opel Zafira Tourer Concept - Car Body Design carbodydesign.com
  21. Vauxhall Zafira common problems (2005-2011) – Haynes Manuals United Kingdom uk.haynes.com
  22. Vauxhall Zafira Tourer common problems – Haynes Manuals United Kingdom uk.haynes.com
  23. opel-infos.de opel-infos.de
  24. 211 used Vauxhall Zafira for sale | AskCar askcar.co.uk
  25. LOT:1020 | 2015 Vauxhall Zafira Tourer 2.0 CDTi Diesel 130 Exclusiv... ewbankauctions.co.uk
  • riwal888.blogspot.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • petrolblog.com
  • presseportal.de
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • carbuyer.co.uk
  • carenthusiast.com
  • langzeittest.de
  • opel-infos.de
  • ascona-info.de
  • largus.fr
  • carbodydesign.com
  • uk.haynes.com

Photo credits

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