Where the Renault Megane Scenic invented the notion of the compact MPVthe Vauxhall Zafira turned the concept on its head by seeing the Scenic's five seats and raising it two more. Whether people use those seven seats or not is another matter, but this was an instant psychological advantage for the Vauxhall.
The Zafira turned general practicality up a notch too, with its nifty seating system that was easy to use and following a simple folding procedure left you with a flat floor. So many have copied this idea since that it has become de rigueur and people expect it of their MPV.
Now we're onto the second generation, and to that practicality has been added more space and a welcome dollop of entertaining driving dynamics. The car's engineering has been borrowed from the Astra, which ensures decent levels of grip, and entertaining handling you'd more closely associate with a hatchback than a compact people carrier.
The Zafira is quite entertaining on a back road and will also cruise comfortably on the motorway too. The ride has been toughened up to prevent the dreaded body roll, which makes for ride quality around town that is firmer than you would like. This jiggly ride gets worse on the larger wheels, so you'll have to sacrifice comfort at the altar of vanity.
The interior is as good as it was in the first-generation car, feeling able to stand up to the strains of family life. The increase in size is welcome, and there are interesting little touches that can be ordered as options such as a full-length glass roof and aeroplane-style overhead storage lockers that add to the plethora of cubbies and storage bins throughout the car.
Thanks to the Astra underpinnings, the Zafira benefits from a range of engines shared with that model - the entry-level petrol engines aren't quite able to keep up when the car is loaded up, but there is a bonkers 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine available in the VXR performance model that makes up for those. The diesels are better bets, offering a good blend of refinement and fuel economy.
If you spec the car carefully, you will end up with a faithful and practical family companion. For good reason is the Zafira at the top of most people's lists when they begin to shop around for a new MPV.