Living with a... Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer

In years gone by, the Vauxhall Insignia wasn’t the most appealing offering in the family car class, yet it was one of the best-selling. But why? In an attempt to find out, Auto Trader's road test editor Ivan Aistrop has spent six months with the latest version.

Don't forget to click the notifications button so you'll be the first to see any new videos.

Auto Trader is the UK’s biggest, best and most trusted car buying website, and our YouTube channel will help make finding your next vehicle easier than ever.

Every week, we’ll present the latest new car reviews, covering everything from supercars to superminis. Our motoring experts write jargon-free verdicts, cover real-world practicality, recommended specifications and reveal the real cost of ownership.

We also ask some of Britain’s most passionate drivers to share their stories, along with news, advice, Best ofs, used car guides and motorcycle reviews.

[markymark-r]

I have a 2011 Insignia. It’s never put a beat wrong and is so comfortable. It’s ALL personal preference!

[eskimo]

Three reason why you see so many original Insignia's it's because they are very good cars. Why the UK press has such a love affair with VAG it's something I'll never work out, they're bland, dull, unreliable and the company lies about them.

[donmacalister]

On long fast motorway journeys the previous Insignia Tourer was actually extremely stable, very comfortable and incredibly quiet - I had an SE and it was certainly far from "rubbish". Even when cruising at high speeds the loudest noise I could hear was the sound of the engines and tyres of the vehicles I was passing. Sadly downsized to a Astra Biturbo which is not quite as stable, is less comfortable and has horribly loud tyre and wind noise at speed - but the 2 litre twin turbo engine is an absolute gem. Now looking for a high spec late Insignia Biturbo with a manual gearbox (sadly rare as hens teeth).

[banpowel]

The first insignia is iconic, hence why so many people bought them

[lukefleming]

I had a 2015 insignia Elite 1.6 Diesel. I've just upgraded to a 2018 Insignia Sports Tourer Elite Nav 1.5 Turbo and I'm so pleased with it. The 1.5 Turbo Petrol engine is rather rapid with plenty of torque and pulling power. And the seats are rather comfy too

[justincarroll]

These new insignia is beautiful car .GSI is stunning .A 4 year old one with low mileage and full VX history can be bought for £16.000.If it had Audi badges on it with its spec form new.£55.000.

[AceEyedAce]

Really good review! I am tempted by the Insignia myself, and have been for awhile however I really do love the Skoda Superb. Tough choice really

[anthonyscifo]

Driven one in Australia 2.0 litre turbo...we call it Holden Commodore...LOVE IT!!!

[TheCodeTinkerer]

I really liked the Vectra C wagon 2007, with the SAAB parts. Really the best allrounder wagon compared to price. I was bumme with the mark 1 generaiton of the Insignia, because of the lower practicality. Probably getting one of these mark 2 second hand.

[Spottervinny]

In Belgium/Netherlands the Insignia blows away the competitors. It even won a test against the premium brands. Strange review. This car is really the best Station you can buy nowadays. Also the first Insignia was a very good and reliable car.

[markd]

One nice feature about red Vauxhalls.... they go pink over time.

[G.AngHWBG]

I did't get what is wrong with the first Insignia?

[TheBlueskythoughts]

This version of the new Insignia is a great drive, smaller petrol engines do struggle though but having had the estate for 6 months and also driven the hatch they have come on leaps and bounds since the shoddy Cavalier days. The equipment level is decent and the driving position is excellent. The move to SUV’s is misguided imo, I’ve been driving a Grandland X for the last few months and the Insignia estate is a far superior car in all areas.

[kb]

Way too hard on the previous Insignia. He made it sound terrible. I own a 2014 Elite Nav 2.0 Auto Diesel 170 ps version. It's got more than enough grunt from any speed, very quiet and comfortable. More than enough space and very well spec'ed.
Dual climate control
Full leather interior, heated electric memory front seats, 3 headrest in rear.
8 inch screen
DAB Radio
CD player
Aux/2 USB/SD Card conection to play music
Voice control (Does'nt work well)
4 Electric windows (VW Passat had versions with windup windows in rear)
Heated leather multi function steering wheel
Digital Dash
Sat Nav
Folding heated mirrors
Electric Parking Brake
Xenon directional lights
Fog lights (not included on many cars)
These are the highlighs. Not bad for a 2014 car. The spec got even better from 2016. Keyless entry and start, reversing camera ect.
I feel journalists like to run Insignia's down because it became fashionable after Clarkson ripped into the Vectra.

[Twirlyhead]

That looks very much like my Insignia. The sliding cover on the cup holder catches and jams on canned drinks - too low - the mind boggles at the design decision that did that. Otherwise love it.

[qbal]

The old Insignia was rubbish?? Nonsense! I've not owned one but I've had a few as hire cars over the years and I've never felt there was anything wrong with it. We did long motorway drives in them and it was refined and comfortable as you'd expect of a car in it's class.
I've also driven the new Insignia, identical to the one in the review. The reviewer asks if it's the highest quality cabin in it's class, etc. There isn't a car in that class that's head and shoulders above the rest. It's all personal preference and price.

[alexandrunita]

Try doing the same with a Laguna III Grandtour 2.0D

[anthonyscifo]

I forgot to mention mated to a 9 speed auto!!

[NEWNATURE]

Great, made in Germany by Opel, imported to north America sold as Buick Regal tourX, not longer available at the States after 2020, poor marketing, no wagon buyers as well... Dealers are selling very cheap here at USA....👍

[spider_hoss]

So it’s not the best at anything, but it’s pretty good overall. That’s called a working man’s car.