Opel Zafira Electric Life L 75 kWh

Overview

The Opel Zafira-e L 75 kWh is a seriously spacious all-electric people carrier, perfect for large families or shuttle services. This 'L' version boasts the longest wheelbase and the larger 75 kWh (nominal) battery pack for maximum practicality. While production concluded in 2024, making it available on the used market around €29,900, it remains a compelling choice for those needing heaps of room and zero tailpipe emissions. Its key strengths are its cavernous interior, flexible seating configurations, and a focus on getting everyone and their kit from A to B comfortably.

What's New for 2024?

The 2024 model year marks the final curtain call for this particular generation of the Zafira-e L 75 kWh, as Opel introduced a significantly updated 'Zafira Electric' successor with refreshed styling and improved tech for 2024. Therefore, this specific outgoing version sees no major changes for its final run, carrying over the familiar design and features from the previous year. It represents the last opportunity to grab this established iteration of Opel’s electric van, primarily now found on the pre-owned market, before the fully revamped model takes centre stage.

Design & Exterior

The Zafira-e L 75 kWh isn't shy about its van DNA, prioritising function over flamboyant fashion. Its boxy silhouette screams practicality, designed to maximise interior space. This 'L' variant is quite the unit, measuring a substantial 5306 mm in length, 1920 mm in width (excluding mirrors), and standing 1900 mm tall. Standard features include practical lighting and robust wheels suited for a workhorse. The CCS Type 2 charge port is conveniently located. It’s a no-nonsense design built for purpose, whether that's the school run or airport transfers.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Step inside, and the Zafira-e L 75 kWh offers a Tardis-like experience! The cabin is vast, with durable materials designed for heavy use. Passenger comfort is paramount, with super-flexible seating configurations for 5, 6, 7, 8, or even 9 occupants – talk about adaptable! Cargo? No problem. You get a massive 980 litres in the boot with seats up, expanding to a colossal 3700 litres with them folded. There's no frunk, but who needs one with this much space? Infotainment is typically handled by a central touchscreen, often with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Performance & Driving Experience

Don't expect to win drag races; the Zafira-e L 75 kWh is all about smooth, serene progress. Its single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) sends 100 kW and 260 Nm of torque to the front wheels. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h takes a relaxed 13.3 seconds, with a top speed of 130 km/h – perfectly adequate for real-world duties. The driving experience is geared towards comfort, soaking up bumps well, making it an easy companion for long hauls. Regenerative braking helps claw back some energy, enhancing its efficiency around town.

Range, Battery & Charging

Powering this people-mover is a 68 kWh usable battery pack (75 kWh nominal). Green Cars Compare calculates a real-world range of around 281 km, with an efficiency of 4.13 km/kWh – respectable for such a big machine. For AC charging, the standard on-board unit is 7.4 kW, with an 11 kW version available optionally; a full top-up with the latter takes around 6-7 hours. Hook it up to a DC fast charger via its CCS Type 2 port, and it can accept up to 100 kW, adding significant range in about 30 minutes.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

The Opel Zafira-e Life, on which this model is based, scored a solid 5-star rating from Euro NCAP in 2019, which is reassuring for a family bus. You'll find a suite of driver-assistance systems designed to keep you safe and sound. Standard kit typically includes essentials like autonomous emergency braking and lane departure warning. Depending on the original specification, optional extras could enhance safety further with features like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring, making those long journeys a bit less taxing for the driver.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

When new, Opels in Europe generally came with a 2-year unlimited mileage warranty, sometimes extended to 3 years/100,000km depending on the market. The crucial battery warranty is typically 8 years or 160,000 km, guaranteeing at least 70% of its original capacity, offering good peace of mind. Powertrain components are often covered under this. Maintenance on these electric vans is generally lower than their combustion engine siblings, thanks to fewer moving parts. The underlying Stellantis EV platform has proven reasonably reliable for this type of vehicle.