Road test report ---- April 2009 --------------------- by Kevin Fenix.

Opel Insignia SE 2.0 CDTi saloon

Last week I had the Opel Insignia SRi, 162 kW 2.0 litre Turbo AWD on test and it was a real pleasure to drive and travel in. I knew that I was going to have a bit of a problem adjusting to this car, as it only had a 96 kW 2.0 litre diesel engine, driving the front wheels. The first day was agony, not because the car was in any way deficient, but because I had been accustomed to so much more, from a car that was in many ways very similar. When I sat down that night to review the day’s driving, I came to realise that this model costs just over 8,000 euro less than the previous test car, which certainly helps to put things into perspective. Also this car’s diesel engine delivers a very welcome 300 Nm torque between 1,750 rpm and 2,500 rpm, so you can amble along with just 2,000 rpm on the tachometer, in complete comfort, without having to be constantly stirring the gear lever.
Its performance is more than satisfactory too for today’s urban/suburban conditions, with a potential top speed of 205 kph (127 mph) and a 0-100 kph acceleration time of 11.1 seconds. It adapts to our narrow, potholed, twisty county and rural roads with an equal ease, with more than enough acceleration to avoid holding up other traffic once you actually get a bit of straight road. When you occasionally get a stretch of motorway or decent dual carriageway, it glides along with an effortless ease.

Being a diesel its fuel consumption is just what is needed in today’s financial conditions. On the urban cycle it is credited with a very good, for a car of this size, 36 mpg (7.7 lt/100 km), which is even better in rural conditions, where the extra urban cycle is credited with 60 mpg (4.7 lt/100 km). This gives a combined cycle average of 48 mpg (5.8 lt/100 km). This translates into a carbon dioxide exhaust emissions figure of 154 gm/km, which brings it in just under the ceiling of category C for Irish road tax purposes. At the current time, that equates to an annual Irish road tax bill of 302 euro.
My previous test car had all leather seats, always my preferred option. This model had part leather and part cloth seats. The sides and bolsters were covered in a dark grey leather, while the centre section was upholstered with “Morrocana” cloth. It didn’t look too bad, but the Morrocana cloth had a completely different level of grip to the leather, so I found it gripping my clothing uncomfortably, whenever I moved even slightly. Apart from that, the interiors were almost identical. The previous test car had a manual handbrake lever, this car had an electric handbrake, operated by a switch on the centre tunnel, just ahead of the two covered cupholders. It took me a while to realise that you had to have your foot on the brake pedal, before you could release the handbrake. A notice to inform you of this fact comes up on the digital panel in the instrument binnacle, if you neglect to do so, but when I am moving off, I am looking all around to see that the road is clear, not looking at the instrument binnacle, so it took me a while, after a lot of cursing, to understand why the brake was not releasing.
I did miss the heated front seats of the previous car, the dual zone air-conditioning and the ability to switch from Sport to Touring modes for the engine/suspension management, but I soon got used to what was on offer and, yes I did enjoy it. As it is only around 80% of the price of the other car, you have to accept that there will be differences in its level of standard trim and equipment.
This car was a four door saloon, the other was a five door hatchback, but from even a short distance away, you would never be able to tell the difference. About the only identification, is the fact that the hatchback has a rear wiper which rests vertically up the side of the rear window, on the right hand side. Both cars have a luggage access hatch that opens automatically at the push of the appropriate section on the remote control unit. Like the hatchback the saloon has a 60/40 split rear seat backrest, so it can accommodate awkward loads as easily as the hatchback. When all five seats are needed, there is 0.500 cubic metres of luggage space, which expands to 1.010 cubic metres, when only two seats are required.

The centre of the facia is dominated by the large screen at the top. When not required it shows a large Opel logo, with three small items at the top. Reading from the left these are the time, the date and the outside air temperature. Controls for the audio equipment and associated items are immediately below, with the smaller panel below that devoted to the climate control functions. Additional controls for the audio and cruise control are located on the two horizontal arms of the leather covered steering wheel. What looks like wood trim, is I suspect, simply a plastic laminate with a look-a-like wood veneer finish.
Standard equipment on this SE version included heated, electrically adjustable, exterior rear view mirrors, four electric windows, height adjustable driver’s seat, reach and height adjustable steering wheel, adjustable lumber support on both front seats and an electrochromatic interior rear view mirror.
The main instruments are in a binnacle, under a curved hood, behind the steering wheel. The four analogue instruments have black faces, with white lettering and red needles. The tachometer is the large instrument on the left, then there are two small instruments for engine temperature and fuel level, with the speedometer being the large instrument on the right. Below the two small instruments there is a large rectangular screen that gives a variety of information, like the requirement to keep your foot on the brake pedal when you release the electric handbrake. It also has trip and total distance recorders, distance to empty etc. On the extreme right of the facia, below the air vent there is a circular switch for the lights. The car comes as standard with automatic headlamps and daylight running lights. These, however, can be switched off, by twisting the circular knob to the left. Everything is close at hand and easy to use. This certainly helps to make driving more comfortable, relaxing and stress free.

While dark colours can give a sombre ambience to the interior, the brushed aluminium finish on the doors, with the chrome finish on the door handles, with matching silver trim around the gearlever and the steering wheel, plus the chrome bezels on the instruments, all helps to brighten things up. The gearchange is firm and positive, which helps to make driving the Opel Insignia a pleasurable experience.
While the rear bench seat can accommodate three adults, the centre section is the most uncomfortable seat in the car. The backrest in this area is very hard and unyielding. The cushion is much firmer than those on either side, so an adult of normal height will sit up higher with their head uncomfortably in contact with the roof lining. Even in the two outer positions, the sloping roofline means that rear seat headroom is just barely sufficient.

The diesel Insignia will tow braked trailers of up to 1600 kg, or unbraked trailers of 750 kg. The maximum load that can be carried on the roof is 100 kg. Unfortunately it comes with a Spacesaver spare tyre, which, while it may be suitable for limited normal use, is useless when you are towing.

Above : Normal luggage space
Below : Maximum luggage space, with rear seat backrest folded

Overall I found the Opel Insignia 2.0 diesel, to be very satisfactory all round. It is comfortable and pleasant to drive, It is spacious and comfortable to travel in, whether you are driving or a passenger. Its performance is more than satisfactory for Irish driving conditions, both urban and rural and its abstemious thirst for fuel is very much appreciated in today’s financial circumstances. I fully accept that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so with that qualification, in my eyes, it is also a very stylish and good looking car.

Technical data

Photo gallery

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