Used Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport 2017-2022 review

Non-premium badged executive cars have had a tough time of late, as buyers turned from these large, family-friendly cars into more practical SUVs and the like. But what’s not to like about a sizeable car with a big boot, decent equipment levels and the sort of used price tag you'd expect on a much smaller family car?

Welcome, then, to one of those very cars, the Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport. Insignia means a badge or distinguishing mark of office or honour, but it would appear that it isn’t distinguishing enough for a car name since the second-generation Vauxhall Insignia has ‘Grand Sport’ attached to the end of it.

The ‘Grand’ part is certainly covered by the size because the Insignia Grand Sport is a big vehicle. This means that there’s plenty of space inside for passengers, provided that you stick to the front. Leg space in the back is very generous, but head room isn’t quite so good, particularly for those over six foot.

The ‘Sport’ bit might be a little harder to justify. Thanks to its size, the Insignia Grand Sport is not the wieldiest thing on smaller roads. However, the steering, while not exactly brimming with feedback, does allow you to place the car accurately at speed. Body roll is no worse than that of some of its rivals and grip levels are high. In short, it’s safe and sure-footed rather than exciting.

Ride comfort and refinement are perhaps the strongest assets of the Insignia Grand Sport. On 17in wheels, it rounds off the bumps well and only the very worst broken surfaces generate annoying road noise. You won’t hear much wind noise, though, even at speed, especially if you can find an Insignia Grand Sport with the optional laminated side glass.

Under the bonnet, the 138bhp 1.5-litre turbo petrol is the cheapest engine but it still promises reasonable pace. Even so, we’d be more tempted to pay a little extra for the more powerful version with 163bhp, because it’s in effect the same as the entry-level engine but with a little more power. It’s flexible despite its small size and there’s only a penalty in fuel economy. The 2.0-litre turbo petrol is only available in top Elite Nav trim and comes exclusively with an automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive. It’s an expensive and thirsty option, though. Later models featured a 197bhp and 227bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine.

On the diesel front, there is the entry-level 1.6-litre with 109bhp (in later cars a 1.5 with 120bhp). While you might think it’ll struggle in a car as big as the Insignia Grand Sport, it’s actually a flexible thing that is just about quick enough. It’s the cheapest to run but may struggle if you regularly have a full car. For that reason, we’d suggest going for the more powerful version with 134bhp because it pulls well from low revs while sipping very little fuel.

The most powerful diesels come with the 2.0-litre engine in two states of tune: 168bhp and 207bhp. Performance is brisk (especially with the 207bhp version) but fuel economy figures are disappointing when compared with similarly potent rivals.

Later, post-2019 models cut the engine range down to just a 1.5 Turbo D, the 2.0 Turbo D, the 2.0 Turbo 200 petrol and the 2.0 Turbo 230 petrol with all-wheel drive.

The Insignia Grand Sport range kicks off with the Design trim. This includes auto lights, keyless entry and start, electric front and rear windows, air-con, cruise control, a 7.0in touchscreen infotainment system with DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, as well as a multi-function steering wheel. We prefer Design Nav, because it gives you all the kit listed above but adds sat-nav and the ability to fully utilise the OnStar service.

Move up to SRi and you get 17in alloy wheels, front foglights, tinted rear windows, auto wipers, a spoiler, dual-zone climate control and rear USB sockets. SRi Nav is much like Design Nav in that it add sat-nav. SRi VX-Line gets bigger wheels (unless you have the 1.6 diesel), sportier bodystyling, a heated flat-bottom steering wheel, sat-nav and a 4.2in colour display in front of the driver.

Tech Line Nav models are the same as SRi Nav but look less sporty. Over SRi Nav, you get front and rear parking sensors and lumbar adjustment. It’s well worth considering if you want a few more luxuries.

Elite Nav gets LED headlights, front foglights, tinted rear windows, heated leather seats and a Bose stereo. It’s also the only trim that's available with the 2.0-litre turbo petrol.

The GSi version is the sportiest pick of the range, with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres, 20in alloys, different driving modes, Brembo brakes and a GSi styling pack for the exterior.

Inside, you get plenty of equipment as standard and big, comfy seats in which to while away the miles. The interior feels well screwed together, but the indicator and wiper stalks have a flimsy twang to them and the plastics look noticeably cheaper the lower down you go. It’ll probably last the course, but it just doesn’t feel quite as classy as the interior in a Skoda Superb.

In terms of safety, every Insignia Grand Sport comes with lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition. A thoughtful touch, since some rivals only offered these as options.

If you're interested in buying a used Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our used car classifieds site here.

Used prices for Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sports start at around £6000. Look between £9,500 and £12,000 for a good, clean 2017/2018 car with a respectable mileage. Up the folding to between £12,000 and £15,000 for good cars from 2018 and some 2019 models. Spend roughly £15,000 to £20,000 on cars from 2020 and a little more, £20,000 to £25,000 on 2021 and the last 2022 models.

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MPG

The majority of engines used in the Insignia Grand Sport range are quite economical, particularly if you go for the smallest petrol or diesel units.

On the petrol side, the 1.5T manages a combined fuel economy figure of 47.9mpg or 47.1mpg under the older NEDC tests if you are looking at the more powerful option. Since the difference is so small, you may as well go for the 163bhp version. The 256bhp 2.0-litre petrol is only available in Elite and GSi trims with an automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive. All this does hurt overall fuel economy, which is rather low at an average 32.8mpg.

The diesels are best if you cover lots of miles. The 109bhp 1.6-litre diesel is the most frugal at a claimed 70.6mpg NEDC, with the more powerful 134bhp version coming in at 65.7mpg.

The larger 2.0-litre diesel is a little disappointing when compared with its rivals in relation to fuel economy. The 168bhp manual has a claimed 54.3mpg, with the automatic version bringing it down to 51.4mpg. The top diesel is the twin-turbo 207bhp engine that comes equipped with four-wheel drive and an auto gearbox, knocking the figure down to 40.9mpg.

Under the later WLTP tests, the 1.5 Turbo D average 61.4mpg, the 2.0 Turbo D 61.4mpg, the 2.0 Turbo 200 petrol 37.7mpg and the 2.0 Turbo 230 AWD 35.8mpg.

Road tax

Due to the changes brought in from 1 April 2017, every Insignia Grand Sport will currently cost you £165 per year in road tax.

Insurance and servicing

The Insignia Grand Sport doesn't qualify for fixed-price servicing, but Vauxhall maintenance costs aren’t known for being particularly costly, so you shouldn’t have any worries here. Insurance costs should be reasonable due to the safety kit fitted as standard.

The Insignia Grand Sport range kicks off with the Design trim. This includes auto lights, keyless entry and start, electric front and rear windows, air-con, cruise control, a 7.0in touchscreen infotainment system with DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, as well as a multi-function steering wheel. We prefer Design Nav, because it gives you all the kit listed above but adds sat-nav and the ability to fully utilise the OnStar service.

On the engine front, there is the entry-level 1.6-litre diesel with 109bhp. While you might think it’ll struggle in a car as big as the Insignia Grand Sport, it’s actually a flexible thing that is just about quick enough. It’s the cheapest to run but may struggle if you regularly have a full car. For that reason, we’d suggest going for the more powerful version with 134bhp because it pulls well from low revs while sipping very little fuel.

Our favourite Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer 1.6 Turbo D ecoTEC 136PS s/s Design Nav

The Ford Mondeo is another big car, with plenty of space up front and a large boot. Rear leg space isn’t as good as it is in the Insignia Grand Sport, but head room is better. There is a strong range of petrol and diesel engines to choose from and it remains a quiet and comfortable cruiser on the motorway.

If you want to start your own limo firm, the Skoda Superb would be, well, a superb choice. There are lots of efficient diesel engines and the 148bhp 1.4-litre petrol is remarkably capable. Besides its generous rear leg room, the boot is enormous.

The Mazda 6 has always been in the shadow of cars such as the Insignia but, thanks to sharp styling, a well-built interior and an excellent infotainment system, it is well worth a look.

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If you're interested in buying a used Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our used car classifieds site here.