Early morning mist blanketed the Vorberge hills as I steered the Opel Zafira Electric out of the narrow village street, its large windows catching the first streaks of gold from the rising sun. I had a long day ahead and a full load of gear in the back, camera tripod, hiking bags, drone kit, and lunchboxes for a family picnic. But even with all this, the electric Zafira barely flinched. With its boxy frame and silent hum, it didn’t feel like I was piloting a traditional car anymore, more like a serene electric lounge on wheels, quietly climbing into the undulating ridgelines of Lower Saxony.
The Opel Zafira Electric is a minibus
Let’s be honest, the Zafira name once evoked memories of compact MPVs buzzing around suburbs, driven by multitasking parents. But that was another era. The 2024 Zafira Electric drops any pretense of compactness: this is a true minibus, sculpted more for practicality than prettiness.
At nearly 5.33 meters long in XL trim, with sliding doors and a sharply vertical rear end, the Zafira now evokes the kind of presence you’d associate with airport shuttles or hotel transfers. It doesn’t pretend to be anything else. There’s no coupe-roof illusion or fake SUV flourishes. Opel has leaned fully into the “people mover” identity, and it works.
The tall stance and vast glasshouse offer excellent visibility, making narrow forest roads in the Vorberge surprisingly manageable. Unlike many EVs that wrap their usability in a maze of over-styled dashboards or touch-sensitive nonsense, the Zafira Electric felt wonderfully direct in function. You get in, press start, shift to D, and glide.
The interior of the Zafira has space for nine seats
Inside, this thing is a space miracle.
Our test car was fitted with the full nine-seat configuration, three rows of three seats, all generously padded and upright. It felt like sitting inside a Tetris layout of comfort and storage, with nearly every inch used efficiently. My kids immediately fought over who’d get the “business-class” third row by the large windows, the visibility there is incredible, and it’s like riding in your own glass box above the countryside.
Despite the flat floor, headroom is immense. There’s no hump in the middle, and the center aisle makes it easy to move between rows. On a lunch stop near the hilltop of Hainberg, I even folded the second row down and rolled out a picnic mat inside the Zafira itself. With the seats removed, there’s up to 4,900 liters of cargo space,that’s basically a small moving van.
You don’t just sit in this vehicle, you inhabit it.
Optional luxury touches, like independent leather captain chairs, and even a panoramic roof, lift the experience into “VIP shuttle” territory. I could see this doubling as a mobile office or weekend adventure bus for outdoor enthusiasts.
Opel Zafira Electric: Electric motor with 136 hp
Underneath the practical shell beats a familiar heart: the same 100 kW (136 hp) electric motor seen in other Stellantis siblings like the Corsa Electric or Citroën ë-Spacetourer.
Now, 136 horsepower doesn’t sound like a lot to move nearly 2.4 tons of German steel and passengers. But the Zafira isn’t about fast starts, it’s about confident gliding. With the bigger 75 kWh battery on board, I took the Zafira through steep switchbacks near Winzenburg without the drivetrain ever feeling overwhelmed. There’s a smoothness to how it pulls from a standstill, no jerks, no gasping for torque.
Acceleration? It gets from 0–100 km/h in just over 13 seconds, and that’s perfectly fine. The top speed is limited to 130 km/h, which I never reached anyway on the forest roads or the rural B-roads of the region.
The real surprise was how balanced the van felt on narrow curves. Thanks to the battery pack mounted in the floor, it has a low center of gravity. Even when cornering at speed or braking downhill, the Zafira stayed composed, never wallowing or nose-diving like older diesel vans.
The Zafira Electric costs from 47,550 euros
And then there’s the elephant in the charging bay: price.
The Edition trim with the smaller 50 kWh battery starts at €47,550. That gets you a lot of space, versatility, and an electric drivetrain, but not much range. I’d skip that version altogether.
The sweet spot is the GS trim with the 75 kWh battery, which starts around €62,100. It’s not cheap, but if you need an electric vehicle that can replace a diesel shuttle or carry your crew and cargo on a daily basis, the price feels more justifiable.
Factor in optional features like the electric sliding doors, VIP seat layout, and assistance systems like front collision warning and pedestrian detection, and the Zafira starts to feel less like a utility tool and more like a smart, eco-conscious lifestyle choice.
Technical Specifications
Opel’s official website is our go-to source for all technical information, making sure it’s always accurate.
| Specification | Details |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Electric Motor | 100 kW (136 hp) |
| Torque | 260 Nm |
| Transmission | Fixed gear |
| Battery Sizes | 50 kWh / 75 kWh |
| WLTP Range | 220 km (50 kWh) / 347 km (75 kWh) |
| Real-world Range | ~255 km (75 kWh, long version) |
| Charging | Up to 100 kW DC |
| Acceleration (0–100 km/h) | 13.1,14.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 130 km/h |
| Dimensions | 4.98 m or 5.33 m length / 1.94 m height |
| Seats | Up to 9 |
| Luggage Space | Up to 4,900 liters |
| Towing Capacity | 1,000 kg |
| Base Price (Germany) | €47,550 (Edition 50 kWh) |
Conclusion
Driving the Opel Zafira Electric through the serene hills of the Vorberge was less about thrill and more about purpose.
It’s a minibus that delivers uncompromising space, a smooth electric drivetrain, and an honest approach to transporting people and gear in comfort. It doesn’t try to be a luxury SUV, nor does it hide behind design gimmicks. What you see is exactly what you get, a capable, efficient, and surprisingly refined electric people mover.
If you’re a family with more than two kids, a business owner running airport transfers, or even a weekend explorer with bikes, tents, and hiking boots, this is the kind of van that lets you do it all, quietly and cleanly.
The future of vans isn’t flashy. It’s electric. And it looks like the Zafira.
How far can the Opel Zafira Electric really go on one charge?
In real-world testing (similar to the Citroën ë-Spacetourer), expect about 255 kilometers from the 75 kWh version. Shorter trips and urban usage are ideal for this EV.
Can I use the Zafira Electric for camping or adventure trips?
Absolutely. With its flat load floor, removable seats, and up to 4,900 liters of space, it’s a perfect van for gear-intensive activities or even basic vanlife setups.
Is the Zafira Electric eligible for subsidies in Germany?
Depending on the current EV subsidy regulations, you may qualify for incentives if it’s registered as a private vehicle. However, business buyers can also benefit from tax deductions and leasing advantages.
