Vauxhall Insignia Exclusiv 1.8i 4dr Car Review - March 2012

Inside the cabin everything is well laid out and easy to use. There are however, a lot of switches to get accustomed to. Finding a good driving position is easy due to the range of adjustment on the driver’s seat and steering column. The central console with touch-screen gives you access to all the functions you need. Forward visibility is good, however, rear visibility is somewhat restricted by the angled rear window.

This Exclusiv comes fitted with the entry-level 4 cylinder 16 valve 142bhp 1.8 litre petrol engine.

Capable of a top speed of a 129mph and with 129lb-ft of mid-range pulling power it’s quite capable for most needs. The ride is smooth and superbly stable, with good body control and plenty of grip, although the steering could benefit from being a touch less light. On long journeys it eats up motorway miles with ease.

Road noise over rough surfaces can be irritating and the usual wind noise down the flanks is present at cruising speeds.

The Insignia has a real sense of style that was sadly lacking in its predecessor, the Vectra. The interior too is stylish and elegant. The bold grille and hint of a coupé profile should make it cut a dash in any company car park.

There are a lot of trim options for the Insignia. This Exclusiv version comes with a good level of standard equipment including power steering, central locking, climate control, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, cruise control, alarm, immobiliser, CD with steering-wheel-mounted controls and MP3 connectivity.

Vauxhall also offer a range of add-ons such as alloy wheels (£490), rear parking sensor (£395), metallic paint (£495), leather seats (£1,045), Bluetooth (£220) and satellite navigation (£1,200).

The Insignia is a good choice for family or business use, although it’s not as roomy as it may seem from the outside, as the sweeping roofline limits headroom for taller rear passengers. There’s impressive and practical space in the boot with 500-litres on offer, and up to 1,015-litres with the rear seats folded down.

EuroNCAP awarded the Insignia the maximum five-star rating in their crash-tests. Individual ratings were: occupant safety 5, child 4, and pedestrian 2. Stability control and six airbags are fitted as standard, as well as anti-whiplash head restraints in the front, an alarm to signal if someone in the rear has undone their seat-belt, and headlamps with up to nine different settings to suit driving conditions.

The Insignia looks well-designed and the interior finish is a marked improvement over the old Vectra, and all the materials used are of top quality. However, Vauxhall’s reputation for reliability is not in the same league as some of its German counterparts, and in fact owners rated the Insignia’s reliability as less than average in the 2011 JD Power Survey.

Vauxhall cover the Insignia with its 100,000 mile, lifetime warranty. Regular service intervals are every 20,000 miles.

With a price of £19,815 the Insignia Exclusiv is pitted directly against the likes of the Ford Mondeo. However the Mondeo is a better all round car, and certainly a better choice for the enthusiastic driver.

The Insignia Exclusiv makes sense, even though it's not a class leader, because it’s a good car that comes with lots of high-tech equipment at a very low price. Insurance is in group 16 and Road Tax in VED band I, thanks to the high emissions. Fuel economy is also mediocre, with the Insignia getting through a gallon of unleaded every 37 miles on the combined cycle.