The Insignia is the biggest ‘true fleet’ launch of the year.
Yes, Ford‘s Fiesta, due to be replaced before the end of 2008, is a bigger seller, but Vauxhall‘s new upper medium contender competes in the corporate heartland.
Vauxhall reckons the Mondeo rival is a huge step forward from the unloved Vectra, and the styling is a world apart, with swinging styling lines punctuating the curvy body. However, picking the wrong combination of colour and wheels can make the new car appear a little bland and old.
Inside, the Insignia at least matches its Ford nemesis for quality and probably beats it for ergonomics and usefulness. The only places the Ford is significantly better are the steering wheel, the gearshift – the Insignia offers too long a movement between gears – and the seats. After a couple of hours, the Insignia’s hard standard seats, that populate the bottom half of the range, were beginning to become uncomfortable.
There’s plenty of space in the back, and there will be few complaints about the 520-litre hatchback boot, rising to an estate-rivalling 1465 litres with the rear seats folded.
But the positive impressions stall somewhat on the road…
