In-depth reviews

Vauxhall Insignia owner reviews

"The Vauxhall Insignia now struggles against newer rivals, especially without a hybrid option"

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599w17m38qkdmf { display: none !important; }

27 Jan 2022

.polaris__post-meta--date { display: none; } .polaris__post-meta--date.no-script { display: block; padding-left: 45px } 27 Jan 2022

Carbuyer Rating

3.1 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.0 out of 5

Reviews

Owner Reviews

5 out of 5
4 out of 5
3 out of 5
2 out of 5
1 out of 5

50%of people would recommend this car to a friend

Common Problems

Other (1 case)
Electrics, Engine (1 case)
Electrics, Other (1 case)
Electrics, Gearbox / clutch (1 case)

Review 1 of 10

Tell us what you think about your car?

Great car!

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

This is the third Insignia Elite Nav I have had. Has always been a lovely vehicle with every conceivable feature but many basic and previously included features are now excluded or have been turned into optional extras. Electrically folding wing mirrors are now an expensive extra, there's no rear wash wipe on the hatchback, no electrically adjustable drivers seat, which was standard on previous cars. No CD player only MP3 connectivity. I'm very disappointed indeed.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

I've owned this for a year, and bought it because they are quite cheap... and I am finding out why. After heavy rain I hear water sloshing about somewhere in the car, found out the doors fill up with water. There are plugs at the bottom of the door that block up over time and you have a water feature within the doors. I bang my head getting in the car nearly every time I get in and barely a day goes by without some sort of warning light appearing on the dash incorporating a host of useless information that gets annoying. I have the eco flex stop start making it cheap on tax £30, but always disable this feature that feels like the car keeps stalling. The paintwork is not particularly good, the whole front bumper and bonnet could do with a respray due to stone chips even though this car does not go anywhere near gravel roads and is cleaned regularly. I have also noticed a few rust scabs appearing on the roof. Its not all bad, Its quite comfy and roomy with the interior being quite plush, the drive is not too bad, also brakes are good plus the climate control works well. The worst thing about this car is the engine which is noisy and gutless for a 2.0 turbo diesel. Motorway driving is what its best at but going up hills feels like you need to get out and push. This car could do with a better engine. The 1.6 HDi Peugeot motor runs rings round this diesel engine, and a better quality paint job would not go a miss – and if you are over 6ft tall it would benefit from 'mind your head' signs.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

I purchased this model July 2018 and after seeing so many negative reviews thought I would leave a review. I have covered 60k miles in the car and it has been awesome. Everything has worked on the car as it should (including Nav). The fuel economy is amazing; I can get from the north west of England to central France on a tank, a journey I do four times a year. On a run if sensible can get 60+ mpg average is 55mpg. I've had many brand new cars and this one has been just as reliable and is still running superb at 140k. I initially found the car ride a bit firm after having a 508 estate and the SRi has firmer suspension and low profile tyres but you get used to it. The pay off is it handles excellently and I think it's a great drivers car and I love it. Apart from services and tyres I have not had any issues with the car as yet apart from front and rear brake pads. I am hoping to get another 20k out of it before buying a new car next summer. Don't be put off by the reviews if you get a sorted one (mine had FSH from Vauxhall) they are excellent cars.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

My daily driver has been used for long journeys, it's also great in towns and cities. I recommend rear and front parking sensors however, as visibility out the back isn't great when parking - luckily mine has them. I've covered 8,500 miles over 8 months and haven't had a single problem. It's very comfortable & reliable, with plenty of speed & power. It's top speed is 139mph, 0-60 in 8.7 sec and with plenty of tech onboard. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

I bought a Vauxhall Insignia about six months ago, as I jumped ship from a Ford Focus. I have no major complaints. It's a big roomy car, nice to drive and comfortable.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

First, to point out that some reviews here are of the previous version of the Insignia, the Grand Sport came out in 2017 so ignore anything prior to then. This is a different beast- bigger, better looking, well equipped and cheaper. I’m 6 feet 3 and really appreciate the extra internal space, with plenty of leg and headroom in the back even for someone my size. The lower,longer shape makes the previous version look dumpy by comparison, and I have received several appreciative comments (is that really a Vauxhall?). Lots of poke from the 170 bhp engine, and it grips the road well. It's so easy to drive that the motoring magazines call it no fun. Suits me perfectly for my daily commute where my priority is getting to and from work safely and comfortably with minimal stress. Reasonable economy, averaging 54 mpg. Very well kitted out too - decent sat nav, infotainment system includes Android Auto and hands free phone, crash detection and auto braking (not something I want to put to the test but it’s nice to know it’s there).

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

I bought this as a Dad taxi and for commuting, and, when I have a client meeting, no-one looks at it twice, which is just fine for me. Pros are excellent room inside, comfortable to drive, huge boot and zero road tax. Until recently it was very economical (57 mpg average over 36k miles). Recently though this has dropped by about 7 mpg for no apparent reason. Cons are its a bit of an old man's car. Does everything very competently and nothing outstandingly well. Great for the motorway but don't try to hustle it on a B road - it doesn't do that well at all. Still, cheap to buy, cheap to run, no faults as yet and now completed over 42K in 16 months so ticks all the boxes it needs to.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

would I recommend this car to anyone? No. My car has 34000 miles and only weeks of buying it went into limp mode on motorway, OnStar give me a list of faults but garage only found two and one was an accelerator pedal? It was an emissions software issue, I had TC, ABS light and had to wait 5 weeks for software update. I contacted customer services, but it was a waste of time. Oh and had alarm back up siren going off for no reason. The car has the ability to be great, but not yet. I have driven Vauxhalls for 20 years and this car when working is good but not great.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

After driving a Vauxhall Mokka for 3 years with no problems I decided to buy 1 year used Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport. Good looking, comfortable, economical, plenty of space. But for half the year it's been in the garage 3 times on repair. I had less problems with my 12 years old Saab for 2 years use. After one week of usage, I had to have the DPF sensor replaced. On 12,000 miles the clutch needed changing and while there completed a full car check. One week ago, the DPF sensor needs change again, experienced some strange noises when turning left, finally had some issues with electronics so I gave the car back to the dealer I got it from.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Continue reading

Recommended

Best family cars

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599w17m38qkdo8 { display: none !important; }

Best cars

1 Nov 2024

The top 10 best family cars 2024

Carbuyer best used cars 2025

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599w17m38qkdo9 { display: none !important; }

Best cars

30 Oct 2024

Best used cars: our 2025 Best Used Car Award winners

Carbuyer Best Large Electric Car Award – Kia EV9

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599w17m38qkdoa { display: none !important; }

In-depth reviews

25 Oct 2024

Kia EV9 review – a great seven-seater electric SUV

Carbuyer Best Car Awards header

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599w17m38qkdob { display: none !important; }

News

23 Oct 2024

Carbuyer Best Car Awards 2025 – the winners

Most Popular

Car tax

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599w17m38qkdoc { display: none !important; }

Tips and advice

4 Nov 2024

Car tax: VED rates and increases explained 2024/25

Carbuyer best new car deals hero

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599w17m38qkdod { display: none !important; }

Deals

1 Nov 2024

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

Police car - open boot

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599w17m38qkdoe { display: none !important; }

Tips and advice

31 Oct 2024

Speed awareness course: cost, who’s eligible, and how long does it take?

Tips & advice

Car dashboard symbols and meanings

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599w17m38qkdof { display: none !important; }

Tips and advice

21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Charging station

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599w17m38qkdog { display: none !important; }

Tips and advice

23 Jul 2024

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

PCP vs HP

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599w17m38qkdoh { display: none !important; }

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?

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599w17m38qkdoi { display: none !important; }

Tips and advice

21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

Peugeot 208 hatchback

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599w17m38qkdoj { display: none !important; }

Best cars

25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Best electric cars

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599w17m38qkdok { display: none !important; }

Best cars

16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

The best cheap-to-run cars 2023

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599w17m38qkdol { display: none !important; }

Best cars

2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

Fastest hot hatchbacks hero

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599w17m38qkdom { display: none !important; }

Best cars

2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024