Road Test: Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 CDTi ecoFLEX SE 5dr

There have been reasons for buying a Zafira Tourer before now. In the mould of a surprising number of current Vauxhalls, it's a handsome thing, nicely surfaced and well detailed. So it was a shame to clamber on board and twist the key on a clattery diesel. Now you don't have to.

Instead of ticking the box marked 2.0 CDTi, click the 1.6 CDTi instead. It's a brand-new all-aluminium turbo diesel, and it's uncannily smooth. Even at start-up, there's very little vibration and noise levels never venture beyond that of a library. Of course, being a mainstream diesel, it has no interest in encouraging you to use high revs, but then there's no need to.

A healthy 236lb ft of torque is available at 2,000rpm, and even when a full complement of people is added and performance correspondingly blunted, the engine doesn't lose its polish or composure. Of course, you'll look through the price lists and see the 130bhp 2.0 CDTi is available in the same trim and with stop/start for £1,100 less, but the 1.6 is so much better to drive, so much more in keeping with the Zafira Tourer's mostly upmarket vibe. Mostly, because the generic dash design is overly complex, but aside from that, the Zafira Tourer deserves your attention.