The Opel Insignia A (sold as Vauxhall Insignia in the UK, Buick Regal in North America/China, and Holden Insignia in Australasia) marked a massive leap forward for the brand, replacing the aging Vectra. It introduced a sleek, coupe-like silhouette, vastly improved interior quality, and advanced technologies like AFL+ (Adaptive Forward Lighting) and AGR-certified ergonomic seats. However, its major flaw is its excessive weight (often exceeding 1,600 kg), which blunts performance, increases fuel consumption, and accelerates wear on suspension and brakes. A major facelift in 2013 (Model Year 2014) significantly improved the cluttered dashboard, upgraded the infotainment system, and introduced a heavily revised, much more reliable engine lineup. While it is an excellent long-distance cruiser,
The Opel Insignia A is a car of two halves. As a comfortable, stylish, and affordable highway cruiser, it is brilliant. However, its reliability record is severely marred by the pre-2014 2.0 CDTI engine's oil pump seal issue and the fragile M32 gearbox. If you are buying a diesel, you must either buy a post-2014 facelift model with the B20DTH engine, or ensure the pre-2014 model has had its oil pickup seal replaced recently with proof. Avoid city-driven diesels due to DPF/EGR nightmares. For petrol buyers, the 1.4 Turbo is adequate but check the gearbox, while the 2.0 Turbo offers the best balance for the heavy chassis if you can afford the fuel.