It is said in some quarters that you only receive what you pay for. However, in the UK, the consumer is gulled consistently by attributes that appeal to a stilted view of prestige and high quality, all because we are a nation that places a high value on ‘snobbishness’, when something more rudimentary not only suffices but also exceeds most expectations, without parting with a king’s ransom. This is never more obvious than in the badge-conscious car market.
It is for that solitary reason that the Teutonic Threesome (Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz) outsell their rivals (Ford and Vauxhall) from the mainstream brands. It is as if some God-given rights are bestowed upon the German manufacturers (Hark! Is that a chorus of angels I hear on high? Nope! It is your funds being sluiced.). Yet, leafing through the ADAC files, an organisation that is the German equivalent of the AA and DVSA combined, believe me, you would not buy any of the aforementioned trio, were you to see how many product recalls and breakdowns occurred on them.
The British consumer harbours a view that paying for a prestige badge conveys an apposite mix of indefatigable reliability, allied to a stoically unrelenting build quality, using only the highest standard of materials. While I do not wish to burst any bubbles, perhaps instilling a sense of reality, in these cash-strapped times, might prove to be a more sensible route.
For Vauxhall, the company relies on its German partner, Opel, for the commensurate blend of high-end materials, exceptional assembly standards and entrancing affordability that results in the very handsome Insignia model. Its nomenclature, which would simply never fit across the electrically-raised/lowered hatchback rear door, is a comprehensive legend: Insignia GSi Nav Sports Tourer 2.0 210PS BiTurboD 4x4 Auto BlueInjection…a mouthful, for sure.
Of course, GSi trim is unique to Vauxhall and relates in part to a lower-case ‘injection’, with a luxuriously sporty ‘Grand Sport’ that sums-up its place at the head of Vauxhall’s price pecking order (although, there is a costlier Country variant possessing hiked-up suspension). When you consider the extensive range of standard features on the car, a bottom line of £35,465, when contrasted with price-tags on rival products that are from 20% to 50% greater, you would have to be devoid of at least three main senses (hearing, speech and sight) to ignore it. This is the entry-level point for most SUVs, before you introduce the discounts that Forces Cars Direct can deploy to make an Insignia estate car even cheaper. The GSi wagon is a genuine bargain, especially when you factor in the £700 dealer delivery charges, £1,240 first year’s road tax (£140 annually thereafter) and the new vehicle registration fee of £55 that are all-included!
The next part of its model name refers to the 2.0-litre, twin-turbocharged diesel, four-cylinder engine packed beneath its bonnet. The 210ps (206bhp) relates to its power output, which is no less than prodigious for an EU6-rated diesel. It is of small enough capacity to enable acceptable fuel returns but large enough to provide muscle for extended motorway cruising, or towing the family caravan, without feeling that the car’s guts are being spread across the roadway.
However, I feel that I need to dispel the diesel myths. No. You will NOT be banned from driving your diesel GSi through city centres. No. Its second-hand value will NOT be affected at trade-in time. No. It is NOT a ‘dirty’ engine and its CO2 emissions (187g/km) are still less than those of the equivalent petrol engine (256bhp, 199g/km). At least a third of all cars in the UK are diesel-powered (over 12m). For high-milers, business-users and owners of larger cars, diesel remains the most viable (even at the extra cost per litre) fuel choice.
The unit in the Insignia delivers a monumental 354lbs ft of torque from as low as 1,500rpm, across a fairly wide rev-range. No owner will ever feel wanting for urge and the 206bhp enables a top speed of 144mph, with the 0-60mph dash being covered in an impressive 7.1s. Returning an Official Combined 39.8mpg, its 62-lires fuel tank enables a brim-to-brim range potential of over 540-miles. These are exceptionally impressive figures.
Mated to an 8-speed fully automatic gearbox, complete with steering wheel-mounted paddle-shifters, the progress of the GSi is your choice of stately, or hot-hatch chasing. Its effortless power can be accessed anywhere and the car’s handling (FlexRide enables Tour, Sports, or even Competition modes to be dialled-in), road-holding and eyeball-popping grip are to be experienced to be comprehended. It possesses a commendable level of four-wheel-drive chassis dynamics that is at legendary standards, aided by a comprehensive raft of electronic driver aids that warrant its overall safety.
Finally, the standard equipment is outstanding. A cracking BOSE stereo system and easy connectivity to all devices, dual-zone climate control, heated sports seats fore and aft, distance cruise, head-up instrument display, flexible boot storage (560-litres of space, before the rear seats are folded completely flat to almost treble the available space) and innumerable convenience details meet even the most exacting of demands. The Intellilux matrix headlamps provide smart, glare-free illumination, while the sports chassis provides assured high-speed motoring potential. Auto-on wipers and lamps and both keyless entry and a pushbutton starter provide ease of motoring.
The amount of cabin space is excellent and four, two-metres tall occupants can be accommodated readily, with oodles of head, shoulder, hip and legroom available for truly comfortable transportation. I make zero apology for hero-worshipping the Vauxhall Insignia GSi and its bling-coefficient is not just tastefully applied but helps the car to stand out from its competitors. Above all, the driving position is one of the most supportive, comfortable and spacious of any car sold presently, which makes it a winner for me.
