Soldato
So someone drove into the side of my Mondeo, and I now have this to drive. Not had it long, and want rid of it ASAP, so only a short review.
I can honestly say that this is the best Vauxhall I have ever driven, with the possible exception of my old Mk2 Astra which beats it on value for money and comfort, but the Insignia beats it on not being a horrible rotting rustbucket.
Interior: Bland black plastic throughout, the BMW brigade will likely hate it, but for the most part it is functional, easily accessible and well laid out. The only exception to this is that if you plug a phone charger into the centre console 12V socket (and this car has the no smoking pack so it's not just a ciggy lighter socket) then you will bash your hand against it every time you change into 5th. This is, however, mitigated by them also putting a 12V socket inside the centre armrest, which is actually a really nice idea. There is another 12V socket on the rear of the centre armrest so your kid can charge up their PSP or whatever.
I was also disappointed by the lack of an aux in socket even though the radio claims to have one. It's supposed to be in the centre console somewhere but I couldn't find it and the owners manual doesn't say where it is. I will admit that I could have just failed to find it in the dark, but it's still annoying. The lack of bluetooth on an 11 plate repmobile is also surprising, but then this does apper to be the poverty spec model.
Driving: The diesel engine is a bit more clattery than the Mondeo, and if you rest your foot on the clutch while idling you can feel a lot of vibration, I wonder if the car has a proper flywheel, not a DMF, in which case this would actually be a point in favour of the Insignia.
It actually accelerates surprisingly well, notably quicker than my 2.0 TDCi Mondeo Econetic. The feel and handling is as you would expect from a motorway barge, pretty much non existent, but that's ok for this type of car.
The electronic handbrake is... odd... I've never driven one before and I am rather uncomfortable with the idea of a software controlled handbrake. It's basically an electric window switch, pull up to put it on, push down to take it off. When taking it off the display nags you that you have to press the brake before I'll let you do that Dave. While this means that I can't sit in a queue on a certain long downhill and just roll down on the handbrake I guess it's a good idea for most people. I suspect it's also really good, in conjunction with an automatic gearbox, for people with certain disabilities. I would personally prefer a proper handbrake however.
Rear visibility: Crap. I particularly like how the rear view mirror is shaped like a D rotated 90 degrees to the right, yet the rear windscreen looks like a D rotated 90 degrees to the left. Get the model with parking sensors or get used to sticking your head out of the drivers door to reverse.
Seats: Better than any Vauxhall I have driven except for my old Mk2 Astra. Gone are the recycled late 80s bus seats in favour of thicker cushions, good side supports, electrically adjustable lumbar support and seat height, and mechanically adjustable slide and backrest.
However today I've just called the lease company and asked them to swap it for something else. Despite the improved seats I'm getting more back/neck/shoulder pain from 40 minutes in the Insignia than I am from the actual accident. I've always had this problem with Vauxhall seats and am well aware that it's pretty much unique to me.
Conclusion: Unless you're the kind of person who insists on a teak dashboard and swan-skin seatbelts, the Insignia is not a bad car at all, and represents a massive improvement for a Vauxhall.
It's also important to note that Vauxhall have gone back to proper latching indicator levers on the Insignia. Gone are the much maligned non-latching ones that they introduced with the Vectra. Hooray!
I can honestly say that this is the best Vauxhall I have ever driven, with the possible exception of my old Mk2 Astra which beats it on value for money and comfort, but the Insignia beats it on not being a horrible rotting rustbucket.
Interior: Bland black plastic throughout, the BMW brigade will likely hate it, but for the most part it is functional, easily accessible and well laid out. The only exception to this is that if you plug a phone charger into the centre console 12V socket (and this car has the no smoking pack so it's not just a ciggy lighter socket) then you will bash your hand against it every time you change into 5th. This is, however, mitigated by them also putting a 12V socket inside the centre armrest, which is actually a really nice idea. There is another 12V socket on the rear of the centre armrest so your kid can charge up their PSP or whatever.
I was also disappointed by the lack of an aux in socket even though the radio claims to have one. It's supposed to be in the centre console somewhere but I couldn't find it and the owners manual doesn't say where it is. I will admit that I could have just failed to find it in the dark, but it's still annoying. The lack of bluetooth on an 11 plate repmobile is also surprising, but then this does apper to be the poverty spec model.
Driving: The diesel engine is a bit more clattery than the Mondeo, and if you rest your foot on the clutch while idling you can feel a lot of vibration, I wonder if the car has a proper flywheel, not a DMF, in which case this would actually be a point in favour of the Insignia.
It actually accelerates surprisingly well, notably quicker than my 2.0 TDCi Mondeo Econetic. The feel and handling is as you would expect from a motorway barge, pretty much non existent, but that's ok for this type of car.
The electronic handbrake is... odd... I've never driven one before and I am rather uncomfortable with the idea of a software controlled handbrake. It's basically an electric window switch, pull up to put it on, push down to take it off. When taking it off the display nags you that you have to press the brake before I'll let you do that Dave. While this means that I can't sit in a queue on a certain long downhill and just roll down on the handbrake I guess it's a good idea for most people. I suspect it's also really good, in conjunction with an automatic gearbox, for people with certain disabilities. I would personally prefer a proper handbrake however.
Rear visibility: Crap. I particularly like how the rear view mirror is shaped like a D rotated 90 degrees to the right, yet the rear windscreen looks like a D rotated 90 degrees to the left. Get the model with parking sensors or get used to sticking your head out of the drivers door to reverse.
Seats: Better than any Vauxhall I have driven except for my old Mk2 Astra. Gone are the recycled late 80s bus seats in favour of thicker cushions, good side supports, electrically adjustable lumbar support and seat height, and mechanically adjustable slide and backrest.
However today I've just called the lease company and asked them to swap it for something else. Despite the improved seats I'm getting more back/neck/shoulder pain from 40 minutes in the Insignia than I am from the actual accident. I've always had this problem with Vauxhall seats and am well aware that it's pretty much unique to me.
Conclusion: Unless you're the kind of person who insists on a teak dashboard and swan-skin seatbelts, the Insignia is not a bad car at all, and represents a massive improvement for a Vauxhall.
It's also important to note that Vauxhall have gone back to proper latching indicator levers on the Insignia. Gone are the much maligned non-latching ones that they introduced with the Vectra. Hooray!
