Name: Vauxhall Insignia Review
Item: Vauxhall Insignia
Author: Gumtree.com

Vauxhall’s answer to the executive saloon is the Insignia – a car that has become a firm favourite with families and company car drivers. The Insignia replaced the Vectra, and is a sophisticated upgrade by comparison, offering a refined design and new tech options to choose from. The comfortable interior helps you feel at home behind the wheel, with plenty of legroom in the cabin. Economically, it’s an excellent motorway cruiser, and as a used car it offers great value for money compared with its UK market rivals.

Visit the Vauxhall Insignia model page for more details on the available specs.

What we think about the Vauxhall Insignia

The Vauxhall Insignia is an executive sedan with a stylish design and expansive tech spec sheet – all at an affordable price.

Pros

Excellent fuel economy on long journeys

Spacious cabin with plenty of storage space

New range of advanced technology available

Cons

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Less than thrilling driving performance

The Insignia was first launched in 2008 and has since established itself as a main player in the executive sedan market. Its seven trim levels cover all the bases, from entry-level to sport, with the Elite Nav topping the line. The 2021 Insignia has pared this back to five, running from the SE Nav to the GSI. There are several petrol and diesel engines available, and as of 2020 there’s a new plug-in hybrid on the market too.

Driving performance of the Vauxhall Insignia

Our Driving Rating7 / 10

Despite its executive appearance, the Insignia is light on its wheels thanks to upgraded steering and a newly designed chassis. The suspension is adjustable and you can feel how soft the ride is from the first time you encounter a speed bump. Additionally, the car doesn’t transmit undue shudder or vibration into the cabin while travelling at higher speeds along the motorway. Wind and tyre noise are notably absent, and the engine emits a smoother tone than previous versions.

Safety and reliability of the Vauxhall Insignia

Our Safety Rating8 / 10

Safety is at the forefront of the Vauxhall Insignia, so families can rest assured they’ll be well looked after. No surprise then that the Insignia was awarded the maximum five-star crash test rating by Euro NCAP, with its passenger safety scoring 93%. All models come with six airbags, anti-lock brakes and traction control as standard. Adaptive forward lighting is fitted on some iterations and this feature cleverly changes how the headlights work depending on road and weather conditions. The headlights also turn in the direction you’re steering when taking corners for extra visibility.

Under the bonnet of the Vauxhall Insignia

Our Engine Rating7 / 10

Vauxhall have engineered a reliable sedan, so the engine is certainly economical. The entry-level petrol engine is a 1.8-litre that produces 140 bhp and will do 0-60mph in 10.9 seconds. Fuel economy is the real star here, with the engine delivering approximately 38.7 mpg and emitting 124 g/km of C02. In 2015, Vauxhall introduced a 1.6-litre diesel into the range which produces 134 bhp and emits just 99 g/km of CO2. A plug-in hybrid is expected to burst onto the scene in 2022 and become the new flagship model.

What you'll find in the Vauxhall Insignia

Our Design Rating7 / 10

The sweeping roofline on the Insignia sedan is as sleek as a coupe, yet the LED headlights that wrap around its subtle front grille give an executive feel. The sleek bonnet stretches back towards the panoramic windscreen, enhancing the curved, aerodynamic bodywork. The wheels are wider than on previous models, and now you can expect 17-inch alloys to add a little flare to the exterior. Wheel size and overall dimensions can be altered depending on the trim you select.

Comfort and interiors in the Vauxhall Insignia

Our Comfort Rating8 / 10

Stepping inside, you’ll be treated to a pleasant interior. Make no mistake, this is a spacious sedan with plenty of room for the whole family. Leather seating is also an option if you’d like to amp up the sophisticated feel. The dash has a functional flow, while the driving position is adjustable and comfortable – ideal for a daily commute or a family road-trip. Visibility is hindered slightly through the rear window, but the view through the front windscreen is excellent. A 500-litre boot sneaks into the back and will comfortably fit luggage and shopping.

What features you'll find in the Vauxhall Insignia

Our Features Rating7 / 10

Delving further into the specifics of the interior, you can start to have a little more fun. The entertainment and navigation system is controlled through buttons on the dash, while high-end specs include a scroll-wheel near the handbrake. The central console is slightly cluttered with lots of buttons, and it might leave you feeling a little overwhelmed. However, take a breath, because the new eight-inch touchscreen will compensate for everything. It’s clean, user-friendly and can be accessed with your voice, touchscreen or with the new touchpad located behind the gear lever.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Vauxhall Insignia

Our Fuel Consumption Rating8 / 10

This is where the Insignia really shines. Its 2.0-litre diesel engine delivers 76.3 mpg emits 99 g/km of C02. The newer 1.6-litre diesel engine is a tempting alternative and is capable of 70.6 mpg, while emitting 105 g/km of C02 on the NEDC test. The fastest petrol model available delivers in the region of 32.8 mpg, while emitting 197 g/km. These figures are likely to be outdone by the arrival of a new plug-in hybrid model that Vauxhall have announced.

Running costs of the Vauxhall Insignia

Our Cost Rating7 / 10

Vauxhall has produced some of the UK’s favourite cars and as a result, its customer service operates at a very high level. There have been a couple of recalls over the Insignia’s lifespan. The steering wheel airbag wasn’t deploying correctly – however, this was quickly addressed by Vauxhall. But for peace of mind, if purchasing a used Insignia, we recommend that you double-check that these fixes were carried out. The family sedan slips into the 14–38 insurance groups, and given its rate of carbon emissions, the tax is lower for private and company car drivers.

Our verdict of the Vauxhall Insignia

4 / 5 Gumtree rating

Vauxhall has redefined the executive sedan, with the latest Insignia offering an interior that rivals most high-end luxury saloons – and teasing an even more eco-friendly engine range to come.

Vauxhall Insignia Review