Opel Zafira

Which Opel Zafira Version Should You Buy?

The Opel Zafira version to choose depends on whether you value fuel economy, acceleration, an Automatic transmission or a simpler naturally aspirated Gasoline engine. Across the supplied catalogue, the model appears in six production phases covering three generations, from April 1999 to December 2019.

The Opel Zafira version to choose depends on whether you value fuel economy, acceleration, an Automatic transmission or a simpler naturally aspirated Gasoline engine. Across the supplied catalogue, the model appears in six production phases covering three generations, from April 1999 to December 2019. All listed versions are FWD, but their outputs range from 82 hp to 200 hp and their measured combined fuel consumption ranges from 4.1 to 9.5 l/100 km. The strongest economy case is the third-generation 1.6 MT Diesel with 136 hp and 4.1 l/100 km combined; the performance choices are the 200 hp 1.6 MT of the third generation and the 200 hp 2.0 MT of the second generation.

Opel Zafira generations: what changed?

The first-generation Compact Van ran from April 1999 to January 2004 with 12 listed modifications. Its February 2003–January 2006 restyling added nine modifications. The engines covered 1,598–2,198 cc and 82–147 hp, while gearboxes were Manual or Automatic with four or five gears. Buyers comparing these cars should note that some performance and consumption figures are not measured in the data.

The second-generation Compact Van ran from June 2005 to January 2008 with 16 modifications. Its December 2007–October 2015 restyling contained 14 modifications. This generation expanded the transmission choice to Manual, Automatic and Robotic units with four, five or six gears. It also introduced the catalogue’s 200 hp 2.0 MT: at 100.1 hp per litre, it is substantially more powerful per litre than the naturally aspirated 2.2 MT and 2.2 AT, each rated at 150 hp and 68.2 hp per litre.

The third-generation Compact Van ran from March 2011 to May 2016 with 19 modifications, although 12 are detailed in the supplied data. Its January 2016–December 2019 restyling became a Minivan with 10 modifications. The later range concentrated on turbocharged Gasoline, LPG and Diesel engines, six-speed Manual or Automatic transmissions, Euro 6 classification and 160 mm ground clearance. Compared with the preceding third-generation phase, which has 165 mm clearance, the restyled model is 5 mm lower.

Opel Zafira engine and transmission comparison

Repeated names are distinguished by output or fuel because several versions share exactly the same database name.

Opel Zafira performance, mpg and fuel consumption

For outright acceleration, the third-restyling 1.6 MT with 200 hp is the quickest listed choice: 0–100 km/h takes 8.8 seconds and top speed is 220 km/h. The third-generation 1.6 MT with 200 hp needs 8.9 seconds but reaches 225 km/h. The second-generation 2.0 MT also produces 200 hp, reaches 225 km/h and takes 9.0 seconds. Its 9.5 l/100 km combined consumption is 2.5 l/100 km higher than the third-generation 200 hp car’s 7.0 l/100 km and 2.3 l/100 km higher than the restyled third-generation car’s 7.2 l/100 km.

The economy leader is the third-generation 1.6 MT Diesel with 136 hp: 4.1 l/100 km combined, 3.8 l/100 km highway and 4.6 l/100 km city. It produces 320 Nm, takes 11.3 seconds to reach 100 km/h and has a 193 km/h top speed. The 120 hp 1.6 MT Diesel uses 4.5 l/100 km combined, makes the same 320 Nm and takes 12.7 seconds; choosing the 136 hp version therefore brings 16 hp more, a 1.4-second quicker sprint and 0.4 l/100 km lower combined consumption.

For an Automatic Diesel, the restyled third-generation 2.0 AT with 170 hp and 400 Nm records 6.1 l/100 km combined and 10.1 seconds to 100 km/h. The 130 hp version uses the same 6.1 l/100 km but takes 12.2 seconds. The stronger version adds 40 hp and 100 Nm while cutting 2.1 seconds from the acceleration time.

Where the data supplies no figure, it must be read as not measured. Examples include 0–100 km/h and top speed for the first-generation 2.0 AT, and fuel consumption for several early first-generation versions.

Opel Zafira dimensions, weight and running hardware

The catalogue does not provide exterior length, width or height, so Opel Zafira dimensions are not measured here. The available size-related figures are weight, ground clearance, tank capacity and, for selected later versions, wheel sizes.

All listed versions have a 58-litre tank. First-generation kerb weights range from 1,320 kg to 1,550 kg where measured, while gross weights range from 1,950 kg to 2,085 kg. Ground clearance is generally 150 mm in the measured first-generation entries.

The second generation reaches 1,613 kg kerb weight and 2,195 kg gross weight in the supplied entries, although several versions have weight listed as not measured. Depending on version, measured ground clearance is 150 or 160 mm.

The third generation uses 165 mm ground clearance. Its measured kerb weights include 1,571 kg for several versions and 1,664 kg for the 1.6 AT, while its measured gross weights extend to 2,425 kg. Listed wheels include 205/60 R16, 215/60 R16, 215/50 R17 and 225/50 R17, depending on version.

Every restyled third-generation version has 160 mm ground clearance and a 58-litre tank. Kerb weight ranges from 1,628 kg to 1,803 kg, while gross weight ranges from 2,285 kg to 2,470 kg. The common listed wheel choices are 215/60 R16, 225/50 R17, 235/45 R18 and 235/40 R19.

Weight-to-power highlights the performance difference. The restyled third-generation 1.6 MT with 200 hp carries 8.32 kg per hp at its 1,664 kg kerb weight. The 170 hp 2.0 AT Diesel carries 10.61 kg per hp at 1,803 kg, while the 130 hp 2.0 AT carries 13.75 kg per hp at 1,788 kg. The stronger Diesel is therefore 15 kg heavier but has 40 hp more.

Which Opel Zafira version should you buy and why?

Choose the third-generation 1.6 MT Diesel with 136 hp when measured fuel economy is the priority. Its 4.1 l/100 km combined result is the lowest in the data, yet it still supplies 320 Nm and a 193 km/h top speed.

Choose the restyled third-generation 2.0 AT with 170 hp when you want an Automatic with strong Diesel torque. It delivers the catalogue-high 400 Nm, matches the 130 hp 2.0 AT’s 6.1 l/100 km combined consumption and accelerates 2.1 seconds faster.

Choose the restyled third-generation 1.6 MT with 200 hp for the quickest measured acceleration. Its 8.8-second 0–100 km/h result narrowly beats the earlier 200 hp 1.6 MT by 0.1 second, although the earlier car has a 5 km/h higher top speed and consumes 0.2 l/100 km less combined.

Choose the third-generation 1.4 MT with 140 hp over the naturally aspirated 1.8 MT with 140 hp if the comparison is based strictly on the supplied numbers. Both produce 140 hp, but the 1.4 MT makes 200 Nm rather than 175 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 10.8 rather than 11.7 seconds, and uses 6.7 rather than 7.2 l/100 km combined. Its specific output is 102.6 hp per litre, compared with 78.0 hp per litre for the 1.8 MT.

Choose the second-generation 2.0 MT only when its performance outweighs its consumption in your priorities. Its 200 hp, 9.0-second acceleration and 225 km/h top speed are strong, but its 9.5 l/100 km combined figure is the highest measured combined consumption among the versions detailed here.