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By Steve Walker
Introduction
There are trendier kinds of car to get about in than medium range family saloons and hatchbacks. These are the models that evolved to feed the fleet sector's insatiable appetite for roomy, comfy and cheap company cars but have slipped from favour a little as company car users have been turned on to alternatives that cut more of a dash in the office car park. Despite this, there's still a lot to be said for the old medium rangers, particularly on the used market once the old enemy depreciation has taken its toll. A pre-owned Vauxhall Insignia could prove to be all the car most families ever need.
Models
Models Covered:
(4dr, 5dr hatch, 5dr Sports Tourer. 1.6T, 1.8, 2.0T, 2.8T petrol, 2.0 CDTi diesel [S, Exclusiv, SE, ES, SRi, Elite, VXR ])
History
The final Vauxhall Vectra wasn't a bad car but by 2008 it had become a byword for all that was staid and formulaic about traditional medium range family saloons. Vauxhall sensibly decided to ditch the name and christened its replacement the Insignia. The newcomer was a marked improvement but it needed to be, with the fleet customers who had always propped up this area of the market increasingly being drawn away in the direction of compact executive saloons and the growing crop of compact 4x4s. The halcyon days of the medium range family car looked to be over almost as soon as it arrived but with its core qualities of size, space and long-distance comfort the Insignia continues to be a safe bet.
The Insignia was launched in the later stages of 2008 with a comprehensive line-up of engines and a choice of saloon or hatchback bodystyles. A 1.8-litre normally aspirated unit and a 2.0-litre turbo formed the basis of the petrol line-up although a 2.8-litre V6 turbo was also offered to top the range. The all-important diesels were both 2.0-litre CDTi units, one with 128bhp and the other with 158bhp. Trim levels were the familiar Vauxhall ones of S, Exclusiv, SE, SRi and Elite.
When the Sports Tourer estate model arrived in Spring 2009, two more engines were introduced. These were a 1.6-litre turbo unit with 178bhp and another 2.0-litre CDTi diesel with 187bhp courtesy of twin turbochargers. The high performance VXR variant was launched in September 2009 with a version of the 2.8-litre V6 turbo engine generating an eye-opening 321bhp.
What You Get
Unlike the non-descript Vectra that preceded it, the Insignia tried for a dynamic, head-turning appearance and isn't unsuccessful. The five-door hatch and four-door saloon versions are nigh-on impossible to distinguish at a glance. Both have the same bowed roofline which drops dramatically towards the rear and, perhaps the Insignia's signature stylistic device, the "blade" feature that's cutaway behind the front wheelarches.
At the front, all Insignia models feature a bold chrome grille with the Vauxhall griffin badge at its heart. It sits on a raised centre section which runs down through the bumper and up to merge with the lines of the Insignia's fluted bonnet. The result is as easy on the air as it is on the eye with Vauxhall claiming the sector's best aerodynamics of 0.27Cd, which was one of the most slippery shapes of any car when the Insignia was launched.
The Insignia's styling must be deemed a success in the context of the often mundane medium range sector but the designers were also intent on delivering practicality. The car is 21mm longer than the old Vectra at 4,820mm, and 50mm wider. The Vectra wasn't a cramped offering itself but the Insignia improves passenger space partly through these larger exterior dimensions and partly through a wheelbase that's extended by 35mm.
The cabin was set out to be as eye-catching as the exterior. The Vectra was always worthy but dull and the Insignia has a number of features with the potential to set tongues wagging. The dashboard top wraps around at the sides in a steady curve that melts into the door linings. The effect is that the driver feels cocooned inside the car. The mood is helped by adaptive ambient lighting and a massive amount of attention has also been paid to the seats which have been specially designed to set new standards for ergonomics, comfort and safety.
The range theoretically opened at 'S' level, but that was really a low-spec fleet-orientated model. For most private buyers, the entry-level point to Insignia motoring was at ES or Exclusiv levels and this is where used buyers should start the hunt. Exclusiv offers a decent level of standard equipment that runs to ABS brakes and ESP stability control, automatic headlamps, electric adjustment of the driver's seat height and lumber support, single-zone air conditioned climate control front, side and curtain airbags and even cruise control. Above this level sit SE, Elite and sporty SRi variants. If you want four wheel drive, it was an option on the 2.0-litre petrol or diesel models and standard on the 2.8-litre petrol V6.
What You Pay
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What to Look For
No serious problems have yet presented themselves with the Vauxhall Insignia. There have been a few niggles with the power steering system and it's always worth checking that all the electrical systems are operational but otherwise the car should be fine. The used models which have spent time on company fleets may have higher than average mileages after being flogged up and down the road network but such use is light on clutches and gearboxes and they should have been properly serviced and maintained.
Replacement Parts
(Approx - based on a 2008 Insignia 1.8 Elite) Consumables for the Insignia are reasonably priced, an air filter retailing at around £11, a fuel filter costing around £25 and an oil filter £10. Spark plugs are £5 each and a new cam belt adds up to approximately £70.
On the Road
The Insignia was available in two or four-wheel-drive guise with the 4x4 model benefiting from the clever adaptive all-wheel-drive system pioneered by Saab. It adapts the distribution of torque between all four wheels instantaneously to enhance traction and handling.
A clever adjustable damping 'FlexRide' system was developed for this car, enabling drivers to choose a chassis setup that matches their own particular driving style. In addition to the Standard ride setting, FlexRide enables the driver to select a relaxed (Tour) setting or a firmer suspension set-up (Sport) by pressing one of two buttons on the instrument panel. In Sport mode, FlexRide not only provides stiffer damping, but also swifter throttle response and sharper steering, plus it raises the shift-points of the automatic transmission to a higher rpm and adjusts the Adaptive 4X4 system for more rear-wheel drive. The lighting on the instrument panel even changes from white to red when the sporty setting is engaged.
The Insignia diesels that tend to be the most popular on the used market aren't the quietest cars in this class when you're on the move. The suspension and tyre noise coupled with the muted growl of the engines ensures there's something to listen to when the stereo's off but it's not too intrusive.
The ride quality is extremely good with Vauxhall's engineers having achieved a subtle balance between the firmness needed to excite a driver and the softness required to keep them comfortable. Push the car through a bend and it resists roll very well while the grip at the front wheels is tenacious. The steering isn't the most tactile or precise set-up, especially when making small adjustments around the straight ahead, but during more sweeping turns, the weight and response improves markedly. In general, the Insignia gets the balance between long distance cruiser and lively handler just about spot on for its class.
Overall
Medium range family cars like the Vauxhall Insignia have suffered in the face of increased competition eroding their share of the lucrative fleet market. That's no reflection on the vehicles themselves though and the Insignia is a fine car in many respects. It's extremely spacious and feels more solidly assembled than the Vauxhall models that went before it. It's also comfortable with a relaxed but responsive driving experience. The engines could be more refined and economical but the range is wide enough for most used buyers to find what they're looking for.
