Should you buy a used Insignia Grand Sport?

The Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport is an unfairly overlooked, high-quality large family car. It may not have the posh badge but everything else about it is premium-grade. It drives with real assurance and ability, and more upmarket versions have a luxury level of equipment, including ultra-comfortable seats and premium Bose sound systems. Its glittering Euro NCAP crash safety score is reassuring too.

The fact it’s available to buy for so much less than a premium model makes it a really smart choice. Add in the car’s overall integrity, and a reliability record that’s proving strong, and it’s easy to see why we recommend it so highly as a great buy for the savvy motorist concerned more with bargain-priced substance than a fancy badge on the bonnet.  

What we like

The Insignia’s always been very good at covering high mileages in comfort, with excellent seats, great refinement and suspension that deals very well with the UK’s pockmarked motorway network. Opt for one of the diesels and you’ll also enjoy good fuel economy, saving you from making frequent visits to the forecourt.

What we don’t like

What the Insignia lacks is desirability. With its drab interior, anonymous styling and rather dull driving experience, it’s not a car that cries out for attention. We’d go as far as to say that a Skoda Superb or Mazda 6 will be more satisfying to own and run, while a VW Passat or BMW 3 Series is more premium, holds more street cred and remains more desirable.