Skip advert
Advertisement

Vauxhall Insignia hatchback (2008-2017) - Engines, drive & performance

The Vauxhall Insignia is a great long-distance cruiser

Carbuyer Rating

3.5 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review
Engines, drive & performance Rating

3.6 out of 5

The latest Vauxhall Insignia is an incredibly comfortable car that’ll eat up long distances with ease, which is why it’s highly favoured by company fleet buyers. Recent tweaks made to the suspension filter out the biggest bumps to deliver a comfortable ride, while the engine is quiet and wind noise is low. In short, the Vauxhall Insignia can't be faulted for its cruising capability, however the economical ecoFLEX models have stiffer suspension which make the ride firmer.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Despite boasting plenty of grip, the Vauxhall Insignia doesn't come anywhere close to the Ford Mondeo or Mazda6 for driver thrills. There’s not much in the way of feedback through the steering wheel and the payoff for that comfortable ride is a soft feel in corners. The Vauxhall suffers more body lean than the Ford and its suspension is easily unsettled by mid-corner bumps.

In terms of engines, the Insignia 2.0-litre CDTi diesel ecoFLEX is seriously impressive and efficient, while the 168mph VXR Supersport is one of the fastest cars on sale in the UK in its price bracket. It takes 5.6 seconds to sprint from 0-62mph and gets a special ‘HiPerStrut’ front suspension system to improve grip.

Vauxhall Insignia petrol engines

There are four petrol engines to choose from in the Insignia, with one of those being reserved exclusively for the flagship performance version that accounts for a small percentage of sales.

Of the three more realistic choices, the 1.4-litre is the easiest to recommend. Although the 1.8-litre model is marginally cheaper to buy, it’s not hugely fuel efficient. The turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, meanwhile, has brisk performance, but relatively low fuel economy, and high CO2 emissions mean it’s an expensive car to run, even if it gets the Insignia from 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds.

If the 2.0-litre petrol engine isn’t punchy enough for you, then you’ll be happy to know there’s a mighty 321bhp engine available in the Insignia VXR Supersport, which we’ve reviewed separately. As you’d expect, running costs are very high for this model, although it’s worth pointing out that no similarly priced car is as fast and practical.

Diesel engines

For most Vauxhall Insignia buyers, the 2.0-litre CDTi diesel engine will be the go-to choice. It can return over 60mpg and takes 9.4 seconds to go from 0-62mph. The Insignia is also treated to Vauxhall's latest 1.6-litre 'Whisper' diesel engine. A 10.9-second 0-62mph time won't set anyone's hair alight, but it's a decent enough performer. Its top speed is 130mph and it’ll provide the best blend of performance and economy for most drivers. Yet despite its 'Whisper' name, it's actually quite loud at idle and sounds gruff when you put your foot down.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Have You Considered

Skoda Superb review – peak family car takes on executive crowd
Skoda Superb front quarter driving
In-depth reviews
29 Aug 2024

Skoda Superb review – peak family car takes on executive crowd

Vauxhall Insignia hatchback review (2017-2022)
Best Used Family Car: Vauxhall Insignia
In-depth reviews
27 Jan 2022

Vauxhall Insignia hatchback review (2017-2022)

Most Popular

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV
Renault 5 front quarter
In-depth reviews
7 Oct 2024

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
11 Oct 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

The best cars for snow and winter driving 2024
Best cars for winter
Best cars
10 Oct 2024

The best cars for snow and winter driving 2024

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024