The updated 2017 Opel Zafira has been revealed this week, with a refreshed face that brings the MPV in line with the new Astra hatchback and other upcoming Opel and Vauxhall models.
With GM’s local arm Holden looking to European-sourced models for at least one third of its line-up by 2020, the new Zafira could be a starter in Australia in the coming years to take on the likes of the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso and Kia Rondo.
The Opel Zafira Tourer is confirmed to arrive on Australian shores from the middle of this year.
Both 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol and 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engines will be imported here, with the seven-seat compact MPV set to rival the current Toyota Prius V and next generation Kia Rondo with sub-$40K pricing.
Opel’s Flex7 seating system allows both the Astra-based Zafira Tourer’s twin third row seats, and trio of individual chairs in the second row, to each independently fold flat.
Chevrolet is moving into the compact MPV class with the new Orlando, shown here during winter testing. And at the same time they are actually making it more like a crossover between SUV and MPV like the Dodge Journey.
This new Orlando aims more or less directly against the Mazda 5 but it will have conventional rear doors instead of the sliding doors that we find on the Mazda.From the size it also looks like there will be an option to order the Orlando as a seven seater.