Opel Insignia review

The mainstream family saloon/hatchback market is a tough arena, the Opel Insignia not just having to fend off rivals like the Ford Mondeo, Volkswagen Passat and Toyota Avensis, but also the premium players and all manner of SUVs, crossovers and MPVs too.

What is it?
Traditional. Time was people really aspired to own cars like the Opel Insignia and its rivals, but everyone wants an Audi, BMW or Mercedes-Benz these days, if indeed they’re after a big saloon at all. That makes it tough for the Insignia, despite its strengths. It’s not the newest car in the segment, but it’s spacious, well equipped and, thanks to some neat updates, arguably among the class leaders as an ownership proposition. A good car, just not a desirable one for many of today’s buyers.

What is it like?
When the Insignia first arrived it felt massive, to the benefit of interior space. Everything else has caught up now. Opel updated the Insignia recently with some changes to the suspension, subtle styling tweaks and its latest, most efficient engines. It might look little different, but the alterations were effective, it easily as good as its rivals to drive, though the Insignia lacks the badge appeal of the big-selling Volkswagen Passat, or sharp style of the Mazda6.  

Carzone verdict: 3.5/5
Opel’s updates to the Insignia improved it markedly, but it competes in a marketplace that’s being fought on many levels, and it’s losing. That’s not to say it’s a bad car, it’s just that it - and its direct rivals - aren’t necessarily what buyers are after anymore, and if they are they want a BMW roundel, Audi rings or Mercedes-Benz star on the front grille. 

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