Vauxhall Zafira

“Even the all-new Vauxhall Zafira can’t beat its predecessor in the value-for-money stakes, and you can pick up the earliest cars for only a few thousand pounds now.” Mike Brewer

After an absence of two years, the practical Vauxhall is back at the top. Why? Well, it’s all down to the huge selection on the used market and the tremendous value for money they offer. The judges considered only seven-seat models for the title, hence the absence of the Ford C-MAX. And you can blame the Zafira for that, because when it hit showrooms in 1999, it rewrote the rulebook on what makes a good compact people carrier.

Before its clever Flex7 interior layout arrived, large families were limited to cumbersome, expensive, full-size MPVs or the handful of estate cars that had impractical rear-facing chairs in the boot. The Vauxhall is great because you don’t need to take the seats out if you want more luggage space. The all-new model is well established too, so even late-plate versions of the original are keenly priced. And Zafiras of any age are terrific value.

Drivers after a little extra performance can revel in the surprising pace of the turbocharged GSi. A 190bhp 2.0-litre engine takes the hot Zafira from 0-60mph in only 7.6 seconds, but the trade-off is a firm ride. Our pick is the robust 2.0 diesel, which blends reasonable performance with 43mpg economy. Petrol options include 1.6, 1.8 and 2.2-litre units, although the smaller two can be noisy when worked hard. However, the 1.8 is available as an automatic, carrying a £500 premium over the manual.

Vauxhall’s Network Q approved car scheme provides peace of mind on dealer-supplied models – although cheaper examples will be outside the franchised network. As with the rest of the Zafira, the cabin is tough, yet look out for well worn interiors. Entry-level versions have no ABS either, so aim for Design or Elegance trim. The Zafira is eight years old, but its design hasn’t dated, and the driving experience is fine thanks to its Astra underpinnings.

Commended: Volkswagen Touran

2003 to present

Last year’s victor is still a class act – but it doesn’t come cheap, which is why it couldn’t retain its title. Even so, the Touran takes some beating, thanks to its fine build, classy image and quality interior. The diesel engine line-up is also outstanding – even if the units can be loud – and fold-flat rear seats boost practicality. The Touran always performs well in our annual Driver Power reliability and satisfaction survey, and all examples, including entry-level, have air-con. However, the seven-seat versions have no spare wheel, relying on a can of foam sealant to get you home instead.

Commended: Renault Grand Scenic

2004 to present

Hugely popular, and for good reason, the Grand Scenic is an extended version of the five-seater with an extra row in the rear. It also benefits from the French firm’s outstanding diesel engines, which include 1.5 and 1.9-litre dCi units. The family friendly cabin has endless cubbies and aeroplane-style picnic tables in the back, while there’s a vast 1,920-litre boot if you aren’t carrying passengers. However, Renault recently took the strange decision to introduce a five-seat Grand Scenic, so watch out for recent models without the full complement of chairs!