Opel Zafira Electric Life M 50 kWh

Overview

The Opel Zafira-e M 50 kWh is a seriously practical all-electric people carrier, perfect for large families or businesses needing zero-emission transport. While production wrapped up in 2024, this M 50 kWh trim, with its accessible 50kWh battery, offers a compelling package on the used market, typically around €25,990 in Europe. It's less about sporty pretensions and all about maximising interior space and versatility, making it a cracking choice for those who need to shift plenty of people or kit without breaking the bank or the planet.

What's New for 2024?

For 2024, the big news for the Zafira-e M 50 kWh is that it's gracefully bowed out of production, meaning you'll be hunting for this versatile van on the pre-owned market. It carried over its existing suite of features into its final run, so there weren't any last-minute overhauls. Think of it as a well-established player now offering its talents at potentially more attractive used prices. The focus remains on its proven electric powertrain and cavernous interior, making it a solid, if no longer factory-fresh, option.

Design & Exterior

The Zafira-e M 50 kWh isn't trying to be a sports car; its design is unashamedly van-based, prioritising interior volume. It’s a substantial machine, measuring 4959 mm in length, 1920 mm wide (mirrors folded, we presume!), and standing tall at 1900 mm. This "M" or medium-length version strikes a good balance. You get practical sliding side doors, essential for tight parking spots with kids, and a generally neat, if boxy, appearance. Standard wheels and lighting are functional, fitting its utilitarian but smart character for the European market.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the Zafira-e M 50 kWh is all about acres of space and seating flexibility, offering configurations for 5, 6, 7, 8, or even 9 occupants! With seats up, you get a very useful 550 litres of boot space. Fold them down, and you're looking at a cavernous 3200 litres – proper van stuff! Sadly, no frunk here. Tech-wise, expect a functional dashboard, likely with a central touchscreen (typically around 7 inches) supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keeping everyone connected on those family adventures or airport runs.

Performance & Driving Experience

Don't expect to win many drag races; the Zafira-e M 50 kWh gets you from 0-100 km/h in a leisurely 10.8 seconds, topping out at 130 km/h. Its single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) drives the front wheels, delivering 100 kW (around 136hp) and a healthy 260 Nm of instant torque. This makes it feel nippy enough around town. The driving experience is geared towards comfort and ease of use, with a smooth, quiet ride perfect for a people-mover. Regenerative braking helps to claw back some energy too.

Range, Battery & Charging

The M 50 kWh trim features a 46.3 kWh usable battery pack. Green Cars Compare calculates its real-world range at around 196 km, with an efficiency of 4.23 km/kWh, making it best suited for urban hops and shorter regional trips. For charging, it’s equipped with a CCS Type 2 port. Standard AC charging is at 7.4 kW (a full top-up in about 6.5 hours), with an 11 kW optional upgrade (around 4.5 hours). Find a DC fast charger, and it can suck up to 100 kW, getting you to 80% pretty swiftly.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Safety is solid, with the Zafira-e Life (its passenger-focused sibling) scoring a respectable 4 stars from Euro NCAP in 2021. You can expect a decent suite of driver-assistance systems. While the exact standard kit for the M 50 kWh trim varied, features often available included cruise control, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, and autonomous emergency braking. Higher-spec options or packs might have added blind-spot monitoring and parking assist, making this sizeable van easier to manage daily.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

As a used buy, the remainder of Opel's original warranty will apply. Typically for its EVs in Europe, this means the basic vehicle warranty was likely 2 years with unlimited kilometres. Crucially, the battery pack usually comes with an 8-year/160,000 km warranty, guaranteeing at least 70% of its original capacity. Powertrain components are generally covered under the battery warranty too. EV maintenance is minimal – no oil changes here! – mostly concerning brakes, tyres, and coolant checks, keeping running costs low.