Vauxhall Zafira internal space

[Deleted User]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a car that's big enough to sleep in the back of on camping trips. Money is very tight so it needs to be under 2000 pounds, preferably more like 1000!

There seem to be a lot of older Zafiras around at low prices. Does anyone know whether it would be possible for a 5'4" (162cm) person to lie down in the back of these? Do the seats fold down to make a flat surface that I could put a camping mat down on to sleep on?

From pictures of the inside of Zafira model A (1999-2005) it looks like the back 2 seats fold completely flat into the floor, but then the middle row of seats looks like it would stick up about 3 or 4 inches when folded. Is that right? Also it looks like the middle row of seats can be slid forwards against the front seats, how much length is left behind them in the boot then?

Is the Zafira model B (2005-2014) the same, or do all of it's seats fold completely flat?

It would be great if anyone could post some measurements and/or a photo of the back of their Zafira A or B with the seats folded down or slid forwards so I could get an idea of the space.

Thanks very much for any help

Fat_Walt

The B seats don't fold flat, if you want a flat floor you need to lift up the base and slide the seats forward.

facade

Most "modern" cars I've had, you slide the passenger seat right forwards, and then recline it more until the seat lies completely flat, filling in the gap of the passenger footwell, and enabling you to lie down front to back.
Can't say I'd fancy it as all the weight would be on the reclined seat back though.

Try it with your present car.

forgotmyname

Mondeo estate is well over 6 feet with just the rear seats down and without
moving the front seats forward.

[Deleted User]

Thanks very much for that photo Walt, it's a nice clear one. Do you know what the length is in the boot when the middle row of seats are pushed forward against the front seats? I'm still not sure if it would be long enough?

Thanks Facade for the suggestion, it would do in an emergency, but I think it would be a bit uncomfy, I was looking more for something with a flat floor that I could put a camping mat or airbed on.

I've been thinking about an estate like the Mondeo, Focus or Astra and they do have a flat surface that's long enough, but I was a bit put off by the low headroom in them. I thought the MPVs seem to be taller and would feel a bit less claustrophobic if you wanted to sit up "in bed" to read or have a cuppa.

Fat_Walt

Heffalump wrote: »

Thanks very much for that photo Walt, it's a nice clear one. Do you know what the length is in the boot when the middle row of seats are pushed forward against the front seats? I'm still not sure if it would be long enough?

Thanks Facade for the suggestion, it would do in an emergency, but I think it would be a bit uncomfy, I was looking more for something with a flat floor that I could put a camping mat or airbed on.

I've been thinking about an estate like the Mondeo, Focus or Astra and they do have a flat surface that's long enough, but I was a bit put off by the low headroom in them. I thought the MPVs seem to be taller and would feel a bit less claustrophobic if you wanted to sit up "in bed" to read or have a cuppa.

I'll get your the measurements in the morning if no one beats me to it.

[Deleted User]

Brilliant Walt, thanks very much :T

forgotmyname

With the back seats down in my car its 197cm long. I think the Zafira is only 141cm?

Height of the boot opening in the Mondeo is 77cm where its 90cm in the Zafira.

Seems like your going to sacrifice length for height. May depend where you plan on parking also, how much luggage? where will you put it whilst dropping the seats?

[Deleted User]

Yes it seems like all the smaller MPVs have the height but are a bit tight on length.

Is the 77cm in the mondeo the height inside where you would sit, or is it the boot edge height? I've just measured, me sitting up straight is about 84cm. Looking at estate cars the Astra seems to have the most height, and there is an astra van which the spec says has a load height of 90cm which sounds OK.

The other option is one of the big MPVs like a galaxy or espace or kia sedona, but I'm not sure if they would be more difficult to drive and park? I'm not a very experienced driver and mostly have driven a nissan micra and a focus, so not sure how I'd get on with a very big car.

I wouldn't have much luggage, I'd have a single air bed on one side of the car and put my stuff down the other side, could also put some stuff onto the front seats.

Fat_Walt

Why don't you find a car where the back seat folds flat, remove the front seat and build at mattress type base that fits onto the runners. Or get another seat and remove the back.

By doing that you'd be able to sleep on the passenger side and store kit on the drivers.

Or a tent maybe an easier option.

forgotmyname

77cm is the rear boot opening floor to roof, inside its a bit bigger
but not a huge amount.

Where will you be parking? What about facilities? Toilet and water etc?