Vauxhall Insignia
Used Car Review

Overview

Looking for a spacious family car that won’t break the bank? The Vauxhall Insignia might be exactly what you need. This large hatchback and estate offers impressive interior space, a comfortable ride, and practical everyday usability at a price that undercuts most premium rivals. It’s the car for families who want maximum space and comfort without paying luxury car prices.

From the outside, the Insignia cuts a handsome figure with its flowing lines and confident stance. While it may not have the instant recognition of rivals like the Ford Mondeo or BMW 3 Series, it offers a mature, understated design that ages well. Step inside and you’ll find a cabin that feels more upmarket than the price suggests, with soft touch materials and a logical layout that puts everything within easy reach.

The Insignia excels as a long distance cruiser. The engines are smooth and refined, making motorway journeys effortless and relaxing. It handles well enough for country roads while remaining comfortable over bumpy urban streets. The boot space is genuinely impressive, especially in estate form. While it may lack the badge appeal of German rivals, the Insignia offers exceptional value for money with generous equipment levels and strong build quality that makes every journey comfortable.

What's the Vauxhall Insignia Like to Drive?

The Vauxhall Insignia offers a range of petrol and diesel engines designed for relaxed, efficient driving rather than outright thrills. The 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine produces around 140 horsepower and feels perfectly adequate for most driving situations. It pulls cleanly from low revs and has enough power for confident overtaking. The 2.0-litre diesel engines are the real stars, offering strong torque and excellent fuel economy that makes them ideal for high mileage drivers.

Where the Insignia truly impresses is in its refinement and ride quality. The steering is light and precise, making parking easy despite the car’s size. On the road, it feels planted and secure, with well controlled body movements through corners. The suspension does an excellent job of smoothing out road imperfections while maintaining good stability at speed. This makes it an exceptional motorway cruiser that eats up long distances with minimal driver fatigue, positioning it as a capable saloon that prioritises comfort over sporty handling.

Inside the Vauxhall Insignia: Comfort & Features

Open the door and you’ll immediately notice the Insignia’s spacious, well appointed interior. The dashboard design is clean and functional, with a central touchscreen that’s easy to navigate. The materials used throughout feel solid and durable, with soft touch plastics in key areas and well damped switches that operate with a satisfying precision. The seats are supportive and comfortable, with plenty of adjustment to help you find the perfect driving position.

Space is one of the Insignia’s greatest strengths. There’s generous room for front and rear passengers, with excellent head and legroom throughout. The cabin is impressively quiet, with good insulation keeping road and wind noise to a minimum. Standard equipment includes air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity, and a DAB radio. Higher specification models add features like heated seats, a premium sound system, and advanced driver assistance systems that enhance both comfort and safety on longer journeys.

The Vauxhall Insignia is an impressive family car that offers exceptional value for money. It successfully combines generous space, comfortable ride quality, and efficient engines in an attractive package that costs significantly less than premium rivals. The interior feels more upmarket than the price suggests, and the driving experience is refined and relaxing for daily commutes or long distance travel.

Nicholas Zapolski Car Expert

Is the Vauxhall Insignia Expensive to Run?

The Vauxhall Insignia delivers impressive running costs for such a large car. The diesel engines are particularly efficient, with real world fuel economy often exceeding 50 MPG on longer trips. Even the petrol engines return respectable figures in the low to mid 40s. Insurance costs are reasonable, typically falling into groups 15-20 depending on the engine and specification level chosen.

Purchase prices represent excellent value compared to premium alternatives. You get a lot of car for your money, with generous equipment levels as standard. Depreciation is steeper than German rivals, but this makes used Vauxhall cars excellent value propositions. Servicing costs are competitive, and the widespread Vauxhall dealer network means parts and maintenance are readily available. With flexible car finance options available, the Insignia makes financial sense for families needing space without premium price tags.

Vauxhall Insignia Practicality & Boot Space

The Vauxhall Insignia excels in practical everyday use. The hatchback offers 490 litres of boot space, while the estate provides an enormous 1,665 litres with the rear seats folded. The boot opening is wide and the loading lip is reasonably low, making it easy to load bulky items. Inside the cabin, you’ll find plenty of storage spaces for phones, drinks, and other essentials that make family life easier.

The rear seats offer generous space for adult passengers, making the Insignia ideal for families or anyone who regularly carries passengers. The estate version is particularly impressive for those needing maximum cargo capacity for holidays, moving house, or business use. While rivals might offer slightly more boot space, the Insignia strikes an excellent balance between passenger comfort and luggage capacity that works well for most families’ daily needs.

The Vauxhall Insignia stands out as one of the most practical and value-focused choices in the large family car market. It combines impressive interior space, refined driving manners, and efficient engines in a package that offers genuine premium car comfort at mainstream prices. The estate version is particularly appealing for families needing maximum cargo capacity without SUV running costs.

You choose the Insignia because you want maximum space and comfort without paying premium prices. Its understated good looks, quiet cabin, and smooth ride make it perfect for families who prioritise practicality. Whether you need a spacious daily driver or a comfortable long distance cruiser, the Insignia delivers exactly what busy families need. For buyers seeking cars under £10,000 on the used market, the Insignia represents outstanding value with low mileage examples readily available.