Vauxhall Insignia 160 CDTi SRI Nav Sports Wagon

Very pleased, other than...

Having previously had a MY03 Volvo V70 D5 SE time came for replacement. Didn't wish to pay Volvo prices besides don't particularly like the new shape V70 or servicing costs so had a look round and quite a few test drives. Always liked the look of the Insignia and enjoyed the drive and chose the estate, this time didn’t want to buy new and punted for a good low mileage used model under a year old from the local main dealer. Took a while as wanted the embedded sat nav and Bluetooth, however that’s like finding chickens teeth in snow if honest, they came up with the car with nav and bought. Had front and rear parking sensors fitted and certainly rear ones are required and would agree with the review.
Car was delivered with less than 10k on the clock, initial fuel economy appeared poor compared to the 2.4l 5 cylinder D5 unit I was used to, would achieve 600 and a bit from a 70l tank, was getting 550 miles from the same size tank, however a few motorway cruises loosened that up and am achieving 650+ miles out of it. Performance is excellent, it’s very comfortable and whilst they’re not heated leather seats they’re very good. A dose of sciatica last year that took me out for 9 months required me to confirm the seats were good and no issues at all, nearly as good as the Volvo. Suspect Opel have learnt from Saab on this and have no issues to complain. Ergonomics are good once you become familiar, stereo works fine, no issue with iPod connection though could do with rear speakers on the rear pillars and an external amp maybe? Have to say the nav system works excellently and well worth every penny, direct post code entry with route updating if there are problems. That feature works very well and learnt to listen to it, thinking I knew better early on in our relationship.
Visibility forward’s Ok and mirrors are fine, build quality I view as strong with good road manners and drives into and out of bends very nicely, quite composed if honest and gives no cause for worry.
The only worry I’ve had and been back to the dealership a number of times is an issue with the electric parking brake, first I thought it was just me and operator error but no it’s an issue that Vauxhall seem unable to pin. Essentially the car will display the handbrake activated symbol but will roll back! Alarming as I live on a hill only adds to my concern. Scenario will be I enter the car, key in ignition, press clutch down turn key to turnover, handbrake symbol still showing as activated but car will start to roll back? Car’s been taken in numerous times, been inspected, rear brake assembly stripped and serviced, service manager even taken the car home to attempt to replicate the issue but no, of course not, doesn’t reappear. Anyway and incident report’s been created with Vauxhall and will see. Always park the car in gear regardless.
That’s my only gripe if honest at some point I’m sure this will be resolved and not prepared to replace the car as had fitted a Bluetooth system and a few other things. Watch out on tyre costs though. 245 R18 45’s can be expensive however other than that it’s an easy car to live with and should last a good few years.

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