The European arm of GM, Opel/Vauxhall, needed a compact minivan to get a slice of the MPV market, and the answer was Zafira.
As a member of the GM, Holden considered that the Zafira would fit well into the Australian urban environment and started to produce and sell it on their home market. Opel built the vehicle on an extended platform of the Astra, and it combined the advantages of a minivan with the running costs of a compact-segment hatchback.

Holden didn’t want to hide the relationship with the Astra, which already had a good image among its customers. It shared the same headlights and grille as the compact Holden. From behind, it looked like an Astra station-wagon, but taller.

Zafira’s main advantage was the interior. The design team made it long enough to fit three seat rows inside with room for seven people. There was not too much trunk space with all the seats up, but with the second and third rows folded, it was as big as a light commercial vehicle. Holden spoiled the driver with a car-like dashboard carried over from the Astra, but with a taller center stack and higher seating position.

Under the hood, Holden installed a choice of six engines ranged between 101 hp and 192 hp. For selected versions, the carmaker offered the MPV with an automatic transmission.