Alternative review of Vauxhall Insignia

To be honest, I was pretty shocked when this car rolled up on my driveway: it's arguably the best looking of all the 'C'-sector Mondeo-sized cars. It also demonstrates just how far Vauxhall design has come in the last few years. First the Astra Sport Hatch. Then the latest generation Corsa. Now this: all great-looking cars by anybody's standards.

Still, I've tried plenty of good-looking cars that fell down majorly when it came to 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. That proved a great help on the weekly shop - and when carting child seats in and out of the rear doors.

On the move, this isn't the sharpest-handling car in the class but it's a useful step forward from its predecessor. The important thing for a car of this type is that it should be a relaxing motorway cruiser and this car certainly delivers in this respect. The Insignia is offered with five engines initially. For petrol buyers, there's an entry-level 1.8-litre 140PS ECOTEC unit, then a rather large gap to a 220PS 2.0-litre turbocharged unit, sitting below a 2.8-litre V6 260PS range-topper. If you want a CDTi diesel, there are a couple of fresh 2.0-litre ones, developing either 130 or the 160PS unit I tried. The Insignia is offered 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. This should give the Insignia a key advantage over its predominately 2WD rivals.

On the debit side? Well, there's not too much to report here, unless you count the big gap between the two four cylinder petrol engines' output and their unremarkable fuel economy. Overall, what's important is that the basics seem to work within a stylish, attractive and most of all desirable package.

TOP 5 INSIGNIA DEALS

The results below show the top INSIGNIA deals on buyacar

Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi SRi Nav [160] 5dr Diesel Hatchback
Price £17,670 Read Insignia Reviews	Save £7,660
Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi Bi-Turbo [195] 4x4 SRi 5dr Diesel Sports Tourer
Price £22,102 Read Insignia Reviews	Save £9,058
Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi Elite [160] 5dr Diesel Hatchback
Price £18,854 Read Insignia Reviews	Save £8,631
Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi ES 5dr Diesel Hatchback
Price £15,567 Read Insignia Reviews	Save £4,003
Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi Bi-Turbo 4x4 SRi [195] 5dr Diesel Hatchback
Price £21,184 Read Insignia Reviews	Save £8,596
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