Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi 160PS SE 5dr
What is it?
POTENTIALLY the best Vauxhall ever made – and the car to beat the Mondeo.
Insignia ditches the Vectra’s dull image with a striking body, high quality cabin and a new chassis aimed at giving it a truly sporty driving experience.
Two 2.0-litre CDTi diesels are available from the December launch in 128bhp and 158bhp form. We tested the latter.
What’s hot?
- Genuinely good looking with a Jaguar XF-like profile and sporty lines
- Just as good inside thanks with an ambience that betters the Mondeo
- Plenty of space in the boot whether in saloon or hatchback form
- Even basic Exclusive models get climate control and alloys
- Lots of fun to drive with excellent grip and agility
- Diesel engine boasts lots of torque so overtaking is easy
- Returns nearly 50mpg and emits just 154g/km too
- Best motorway mile-muncher in the class thanks to brilliant ride and prestige car refinement levels
- Options include a system that can read road signs
- FlexRide adaptive suspension and adaptive headlights, make the Insignia a really high-tech machine
What’s not?
- Rear headroom is compromised for six-footers by that sloping rooflineand legroom, although ample, isn’t quite as good as the Mondeo
- Nor is the steering. It’s precise but lacks the sharpness of the Ford
- There is some low-speed rattle from the diesel
- It’s very easy to inflate the price tag. The SE costs over£20K – but the Exclusive weighs in at £17,985 and still boasts lots of goodies
Business Car Manager road test verdict
Is the Vauxhall Insignia a Mondeo-beater? Well, the Ford still offers a slightly more precise drive, but the gap is so small that almost doesn’t matter. Where the Vauxhall moves ahead is in its high-speed refinement, ride and cabin quality.
The new Vauxhall Insignia feels as good in these areas as anything from Audi, BMW or Mercedes. Business drivers have never had it so good. And with a low-emission Insignia EcoFlex model on the way next year too, things are going to get even better.
Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi 160PS SE 5dr – the low-down
| P11D Value: | £20,570 |
| Monthly business rental (ex VAT) | From £391 (3yrs/30,000miles) |
| Tax Band when posted: | 21% |
| Benefit in kind 2011/12 to 2013/14 | £72 (20%), £144 (40%) |
| Engine | 2.0 4cyl turbodiesel |
| CO2 Emissions | 154g/km |
| Power/Torque | 160PS/258lb ft |
| 0-62mph/top speed | |
| Economy (official) | 48.7mpg mpg combined |
