Published:
19 May 2017The Insignia has always been sold in a slightly baffling array of trim levels, and the new model is no different. For the record, there’s Design, Design Nav, SRi, SRi Nav, SRi VX-Line Nav, Tech Line Nav and Elite Nav.
Each level comes with its own peculiarities, although (roughly speaking) Design is the £17k entry-level car, SRi the mid-spec competitor, Tech Line the business user special and Elite Nav the range-topper (which costs just under £28k for the 4x4 petrol model).
The presence of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration alongside Bluetooth, Vauxhall OnStar, a DAB radio, 17in wheels, keyless entry, air-con, cruise control and a 7.0in touchscreen makes the Design trim look like remarkable value for money.
For a sub-£18k car, you’d need to have the 163bhp 1.5 Turbo model, but you couldn’t have a Mondeo, Passat or Superb for that price in any spec.
Granted, by the time you get to middleweight grades – SRi Nav or Tech Line Nav being arguably the sweet spot – and added the 134bhp 1.6 Turbo D for £21,580, you’ll be closer to Ford’s and Skoda’s equivalent values, but expect Vauxhall’s aggressive pricing to still admirably undercut its closest rivals.
That’s a useful incentive, because the Insignia’s fuel efficiency is competitive rather than class-leading. As far as CO2 emissions go, the range pick is the 108bhp 1.6 Turbo D at 105g/km, which is commendable but still behind the 94g/km of the Mondeo’s 118bhp 1.5 TDCi. Our more powerful test car emitted 136g/km – also decent, yet distant from the 108g/km of the 148bhp 2.0 TDI found in a Superb.
