Ok guys, I would like your opinions as to how the two cars compare.  Has anyone driven both recently?  I am looking at replacing my poorly Octavia 3 and have my eye on a new shape 2.0 CDTi (163) SRi Vx-line.  

I didn't think people bought Insignias, but they were forced to use them for a month as punishment for being the lowest revenue salesman the previous month. No?

Replacing? I thought you'd got that lemon rejected.

Can't help on your question other than I believe insignia has never been a hit with motoring journalists

The newer Insignias and Astras are a leap and bound ahead of the older models, at least as far as build quality and fit & finish go. The perceived quality in the driver's seat is much better, though they're numbingly mundane to drive. I would strongly advise you against that engine though, as it's a bit of a dog imho. I have it in my current 63 plate Astra 2.0 CDTi 165ps Elite and it's just awful. Bear in mind the Astra gets a better state of tune and more power compared to the Insigna (dealer's own words) and I'd be very careful about your choice if I was you.

 

When new I was lucky to get 30mpg combined but as the engine loosened up (now 1 year / 15k old) I'm now getting 25mpg around the doors, 30mpg on an urban run (A roads etc) and 45 to 48mpg on the motorway. That's bettered by most modern turbo petrols (eg 1.4 TSI) let alone diesels, and the torque band is painfully narrow. Peak torque in this engine is between 1,750 and 2,250 rpm which means you're constantly waiting for the power to kick in, and as soon as it does you have to change gear straight away. Because of the gearing and narrow torque band, every single gear change lands you back off boost so you go back to waiting for the power. It makes it frustratingly hesitant to make progress and tiring to drive pointedly.

 

It doesn't give the feel of performance the paper figures may suggest because of this (torque and gearing) but neither is it economical, so you end up with the worst of both worlds. I can only imagine an Insignia would be even worse (less aggressive power delivery map, heavier car). The car itself is a comfortable enough place to be, though rear leg room is distinctly lacking in both the Insignia and Astra. As per my username here I've almost always had diesels, and I was getting 60mpg average from my old Superb 1.9 PD TD, so it's most definitely not a case of being strictly anti diesel or unable to drive economically. The test drive with 'eco' mode off can feel quite interesting if you're coming from a lower powered car, but trust me in real life you soon find the disappointing truth about the engine/gears.

 

Suffice to say I'm waiting for my 1.4 TSI Octavia estate with baited breath. If I can be of any help at all just drop me a PM or reply here and I'll answer any questions you may have, if I am able to.

Get an Octavia VRS Diesel !

 

I bought a 60 plate/12 month old Insignia SRI 160 Diesel and got rid after 2-weeks/1000 miles. Seemed well built, roomy, nicely equipped, quiet to drive - but the handling and engine were 2nd rate.

I haven't driven the updated version, which is supposed to be better apparently, but why bother when you can have a great all-rounder VRS Diesel !

The new Insignias are much better than they used to be, a buddy at work has one.

It drives just fine and I'm sure it's very capable but you get out after driving it feeling strangely unmoved by the experience. Having driven both (and I would be honest regardless of my current steed) I think that the Octy feels tighter, more eager, a more rewarding drive.

I've only done 8k in my Octy but I still smile every time I drive it, I really don't think the Insignia would deliver that feeling.

Get an Octavia VRS Diesel !

 

I bought a 60 plate/12 month old Insignia SRI 160 Diesel and got rid after 2-weeks/1000 miles. Seemed well built, roomy, nicely equipped, quiet to drive - but the handling and engine were 2nd rate.

I haven't driven the updated version, which is supposed to be better apparently, but why bother when you can have a great all-rounder VRS Diesel !

I think the OP won't be buying a VAG built car again.  He has had a souring experience.  I hope he finds a good car this time.

Problem is that his dealer has constantly fobbed him off and not diagnosed a major fault. If the issue had been diagnosed and fixed at the beginning it wouldn't have been such a poor experience.

I have had issues and a totally useless dealer who couldn't diagnose their way out of a wet chip bag, but I am going for another O3 as the car is good, the problem is a dealer who breaks trim, damages alloys and doesn't know one end of a car from the other.

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Don't get an Insignia! A friend had one as a courtesy car for a few weeks after his Mondeo was written off. Said it was the worst modern car he had ever driven, could not wait to hand it back.

Problem is that his dealer has constantly fobbed him off and not diagnosed a major fault. If the issue had been diagnosed and fixed at the beginning it wouldn't have been such a poor experience.

I have had issues and a totally useless dealer who couldn't diagnose their way out of a wet chip bag, but I am going for another O3 as the car is good, the problem is a dealer who breaks trim, damages alloys and doesn't know one end of a car from the other.

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Ironically I bought my first Octavia partly because of the appalling service I got from my local Vauxhall dealer. At that time I ran an Astra Estate petrol which to be fair was quite reliable right up to the moment it threw the cambelt at a fairly modest mileage just out of warranty despite it being serviced by a main dealer all its life. Vauxhall and the dealer couldn't have cared less. I swore never again and voted with my feet.

There ok cars, but there is no soul in them!

There ok cars, but there is no soul in them!

+1, no scientific knowledge just a stereotypical view of an Insignia being a rep mobile (and I hate being called a rep). Skoda for me is the understated brand that nobody laughs at anymore. Reliability of VAG, rally heritage and the choice of the man (or lady) who dares to be different. You can't say the same for erm...Vauxhall (perhaps the rally bit!).

If a car don't feel right, when you get in it it, why would you buy it?

Pointless question on a Skoda enthusiast website.

Nobody going to reccomend a ****ing Vauxhall insignia. I'd take the Koreans over anything Vauxhall have to offer.

All I can say is I've drove my friend's Insignias. He's had the biturbo and regular 2.0 turbo. Ive drove them both 200 miles plus and after spending time test driving the Skodas (various models) and having my VRS Octavia. Hands down. Octavia destroys the Vauxhall. Build quality on the Skoda is second to non.

Edited 4 October, 201411 yr by Bowiesst

Pointless question on a Skoda enthusiast website.

Nobody going to reccomend a ******* Vauxhall insignia. I'd take the Koreans over anything Vauxhall have to offer.

It would probably even be pointless on a Vauxhall enthusiast website !

Insignia is garbage.

Personally i really don't think theres anything majorly wrong with insignias, can be had with good discounts and are reasonable value. I wouldn't buy one with my own cash though.

Inside (and outside) if specced good they look much exepnsive car tha octavia. Also the ride is much more comfortable. If you are planning to take insignia make sure you take caravan version sice the limousine back seats are little bit cramped for the tall people.

Ok guys, I would like your opinions as to how the two cars compare.  Has anyone driven both recently?  I am looking at replacing my poorly Octavia 3 and have my eye on a new shape 2.0 CDTi (163) SRi Vx-line.  

 

I looked at this exact model when I considered it. The main reason being that my Parents have an Insignia which I have driven reasonably extensively and I like it for the following reasons over my Octavia 2.0 TDI

- Looks - it's quite a nice car to look at, well proportioned and so on, especially when compared to the octavia.

- Spec - For a mid range brand it's fairly well specified when I compared the models at like for like price ranges

- Slightly more power - not that it will really matter

 

Reasons against the O3

- It's plain - But as others here have said in the past it's also an advantage because it's an unassuming car when you pull up beside someone at the lights and you zip off into the distance leaving them standing expecting you to have been in some 1.2litre fart box they could blitz past. I think someone used the term "sleeper" and I like that idea.

- Handbrake - I'm sorry but this is irritating and probably my biggest peeve with the car if you have to pick up passengers and more so if they are of the larger size as I don't want to have to apologise all the time because skoda couldn't be bothered to swap it's side or design a more central position for the handbrake.

 

What I prefer and why I went to the O3 over the Vauxhall

- Space, the boot is so much more suitable to lug loads about, the cabin is roomier, back seats especially. Even in the dark trim colour of my car it feels much lighter. The Vauxhall in Cream leather that I've experienced just feels a more miserable space

- Build quality, there are some areas in the O3 that lack (eg the rear ash tray) and ruin the quality feel in the car but the car just feels more tightly put together than any Insignia.

- I actually think the car looks very nice, understated but imposing when it needs to be.

- Little features, the simply clever type stuff they hype on about is actually quite nice. Some design features in the Vauxhall are in my mind shouting 'seriously did we not notice that issue before we signed off the design'

- Engine noise - The Vauxhall engines and dampening are improving on the CDTi models but the skoda is miles ahead. It's smoother too, I find it less juddery to drive.

- Gear ratios - The O3 is just better assigned ratios in my experience of the 6 speed varieties in both. The 5 speed Octavia I found worse than both the 6speed options from the Octavia and Vauxhall.

- Price - The O3 has such higher residuals compared to the Insignia that it was a no brainer winner by a large margin.

 

Where I would be biased to say it's better either way but know it's entirely personal preference

- Driving experience - The Octavia I find is more comfortable to drive, the mirrors on the Insignia are poor, it's hard to see out the rear window (the O3 isn't much better here I'll admit). The A pillar feels more in the way (likely due to it being closer to your face). I just felt the O3 feels more naturally right to drive.

- The O3 I like the more open feel to the cabin. It's easier to move about. But then the Vauxhall has a more cockpit-esque feel to the cabin in the front, you feel surrounded by the car and in my experience more comfortable to push the car a bit more than I would with my O3 (remember that my Insignia experience is not even my car). It's as if it feels more of a race car than the O3 (I know neither really are racy).

 

P.S. I'm comparing hatchback with hatchback in both cases. I can't comment on Estate versions of either other than bored looks into both models in the show rooms while waiting to start my test drives. I also will add that the Vauxhall I've tried was privately owned and mainly used by my mother so well cared for and not a ragged to death demo/courtesy/taxi/hire car.

It would probably even be pointless on a Vauxhall enthusiast website !

Insignia is garbage.

 

 

I wouldn't agree with that to be honest although I've never actually "run" an insignia so can't comment on the cost/reliability.

 

Over the last 3 years I have taken 2x one way hires for work through a well known hire company almost every month, same journey Edinburgh to Midlands on the sunday and then Midlands to Edinburgh on the way back.  With stops this is a trip of about 4 or 5 hours.  I have on occasion also taken my own car, both the old fabia mk1 vrs and the mk3 Octavia vRS TDI that replaced it.  Almost every trip was with 2 other guys and our luggage for a week plus work equipment (laptops, specialist equipment etc).

 

I have driven petrol, diesel, estate, hatchback, auto and manual Insignias as they are the staple of hire car when you order a larger car.  A couple of observations,

 

• All the Insignias I've driven (not driven the VXR unfortunately) are dull compared to the vRS - well it's a different type of car isn't it.
• The insignias feel lumpen compared - they are actually a fair bit heavier as well.
• There is less cabin and load space in the insignia although I've never struggled to get a decent driving position (I'm 6" and a good bit heavier than I should be)
• Even in the new insignia the Octavia's Admundsen Nav is far easier to use and the controls are less cluttered (although the insignia is no ford, I don't like the touchpady thing)
• Insignias tend to have electric handbrakes - Vauxhall's system is dire, truly dire.  The system in the Passat is much better but I still prefer a proper handbrake even if it is on the wrong side.

 

However there is one thing the Insignia is head and shoulders better than the vRS - it's a much better motorway cruiser, the only thing to beat it I've had was my old Volvo.  It's less twitchy and far more stable in cross winds.   The octavia is in my opinion a much better all round car (or else I would have bought the insignia) and it's hardly that bad on the motorway (the journey from Edinburgh to the Isle of Wight the other week was fine even for four adults) but the Insignia is better.

 

I would prefer the Insignia as a company car to the Octavia but not much else.  Just I'd have to avoid the SRI seats - they give me aweful backache, just like the seats in the mk1 vRS fabia.

 

However there is one thing the Insignia is head and shoulders better than the vRS - it's a much better motorway cruiser, the only thing to beat it I've had was my old Volvo.  It's less twitchy and far more stable in cross winds.   The octavia is in my opinion a much better all round car (or else I would have bought the insignia) and it's hardly that bad on the motorway (the journey from Edinburgh to the Isle of Wight the other week was fine even for four adults) but the Insignia is better.

 

Re the comment above, after running a siggy bi turbo for 18 months and 30k miles, I don't agree totally with this. You may find it feels a little more stable in cross winds, however that is largely down to the fact that the insignia is a very heavy car. My Bi turbo auto was over 1,800kg re my VRS TSI which weights 1,370kg, that probably explains why it feels more stable, however at speed in my siggy vs the VRS, have to say the VRS feels as stable, plus on the twistys, well, no contest,...VRS.

 

I actually thought my siggy was a great car, it was a diesel with 200bhp and 295flbt, what let is down as mentioned was the weight which meant the best I achieved on a tank was 49mpg vs the best so far on my TSI of 50.3mpg, go figure,...Plus one final thing is the space with the OC3 meant to be a smaller car, it wins yet again on space.

My brother has a current generation one , its leaps and bounds ahead of the previous one. His is the CDTi estate in SRi trim, it actually looks really good in black with the windows dark tinted from the B pillar back. I've only ever sat in it and been a passenger, but it was not that bad.

 

 

However there is one thing the Insignia is head and shoulders better than the vRS - it's a much better motorway cruiser, the only thing to beat it I've had was my old Volvo.  It's less twitchy and far more stable in cross winds.   The octavia is in my opinion a much better all round car (or else I would have bought the insignia) and it's hardly that bad on the motorway (the journey from Edinburgh to the Isle of Wight the other week was fine even for four adults) but the Insignia is better.

 

Re the comment above, after running a siggy bi turbo for 18 months and 30k miles, I don't agree totally with this. You may find it feels a little more stable in cross winds, however that is largely down to the fact that the insignia is a very heavy car. My Bi turbo auto was over 1,800kg re my VRS TSI which weights 1,370kg, that probably explains why it feels more stable, however at speed in my siggy vs the VRS, have to say the VRS feels as stable, plus on the twistys, well, no contest,...VRS.

 

I actually thought my siggy was a great car, it was a diesel with 200bhp and 295flbt, what let is down as mentioned was the weight which meant the best I achieved on a tank was 49mpg vs the best so far on my TSI of 50.3mpg, go figure,...Plus one final thing is the space with the OC3 meant to be a smaller car, it wins yet again on space.

 

 

Unfortunately I never drove the BiTurbo, the best the hire company had to offer was the 130ish diesel. I would also agree the vRS wins hands down on twisty roads.

 

As for fuel economy - my vRS TDI struggles to get more than 50.  I average between 45 and 48mpg normally with 53ish on a motorway run, the lowest I've ever had is 28mpg.  That's tank to tank on "super" diesel rather than using the computer.  I never work out the cost/mpg for hire cars as it just goes on the company credit card.

The facelift I suspect is a good car, for sure though they are very heavy and I think the engines are a v weak point. The petrol apart from the higher powered turbos are pretty gutless and the diesels are noisy and rather agricultural. One of the ways Vauxhall have achieved the low CO2 figures is by putting stratospherically high gearing on these cars and that really does not work well with the huge kerb weight.

Amazingly you can still get the 1.8 VVT engine in one of these and TBF it wasn't a particularly great motor when it was released in the Astra H.

All said and done though they are a good point to point car and v much geared up for life on the motorway, from experience I've found the seats on these things very good (very adjustable with 4 way lumbar as standard, the SRI getting drivers side squab adjustment too).

If it were a company car or something I was getting a mega discount on with my own money (something I could easily do) I'd consider one.

Difficulty is the Octy mk3 benefits from nearly all the MK7 Golf engineering and development; a car that's top of its class and in most eyes leagues better than an Astra/Insignia by comparison it'd never really going to hold its ground.

Edited 5 October, 201411 yr by pipsyp

Replacing? I thought you'd got that lemon rejected.

Can't help on your question other than I believe insignia has never been a hit with motoring journalists

Yes it's in it's final days, they are taking it back but I still need to choose another car.