Faults:
Basically nothing serious. New tyres and brake pads at last service. Creaking noise from front suspension - will get it looked at soon.
There is a pad used for scrolling the touch screen in the center console and it is a bit unresponsive, not sure if a fault or if it is just like this, have read reviews criticizing its user friendliness.
Service indicator needed reset a couple of times, despite being serviced and reset correctly, seems to have finally registered!
General Comments:
I have had this stunning bright white Insignia for a couple of years now and put nearly 10K mileage on it, it has been a great car. 160 bhp SRi model with sat nav, a very well equipped and fast enough car, economical as well.
2.0 CDTi pulls very nicely. Clutch and gears are smooth to use. Does between 50 - 60 mpg. Never quite had the 65 average Vauxhall claim, but then I do drive a little faster nowadays, I like to enjoy driving. You might think an Insignia is not a drivers car, and you would be right - it is not. But get the right spec and the more powerful diesel and you can certainly have a good time.
Ride is a bit firm but not uncomfortably so. I believe the reviews criticizing the ride come from the later "Vx Line" SRi models with the bigger 19 inch alloys - so of course this is going to effect the ride. But the standard cars with 17 inch wheels feel just fine. Cabin is also quiet enough, looks great also in grey/black with comfy seats. Engine noise can be a bit intrusive but is quiet cruising on the motorway.
Rear privacy glass stands out with the white colour of the car. I think it is a really good looking car in just about any color. I bought used, but buying new I reckon I would have had a hard time picking the right colour and trim, there are so many to choose from with the Insignia. Ideally you want to avoid the base "Design" or "Exclusiv" models in duller colours with very small alloy wheels or wheel trims. Otherwise all are well equipped cars that look great. SRi and Elite are the ones to go for.
A common sight on the road, this car can be had for a very nice price used. You want the updated face-lift 2013 onwards car - the older generation 2009 - 2012 cars are getting on a bit now. But the last of this generation Insignia made up to 2016/17 are great cars and still very modern. Most likely I will buy the newer 2017 onwards model next - looks an even better looking car in my opinion and if it is any improvement on this model I know it will be a good car.
To summarize the good - The Insignia is not quite as nice to drive as a Ford Mondeo or as nice to be in as a Honda Accord, but it is a great all round car. Probably the ideal middle ground in the family/executive segment. Really hard to find a better all round car for the money.
To summarize the bad - Reliability has been OK for me, but with diesels you need to watch for the usual common issues as the miles rise - DPF, injectors, EGR valve, and so on. But keep the car serviced and give a firm long drive every now and then, and use quality fuel and oil, and you should be OK. Petrol models might also be worth looking at if you do less mileage. Oh and residual values aren't very strong, so aim not to pay too much for an Insignia in the first place.
1st Feb 2023, 15:01
SRi models should have 18 inch alloys as standard, not 17.
Anyways, drove a Vx Line model a while back, yes it does have even bigger wheels again. Didn't think the handling improved much over the standard SRi - it was much the same, and only the ride quality suffered a bit. Think of the Vx Line as more a styling pack rather than anything else.
Still, the Insignia is a good car, only problem is it still does not drive as good as a Ford Mondeo, but is otherwise just as capable. Nice review, well written.