2020 Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport revealed: price, specs and release date
Insignia executive saloon gains bolder styling, improved infotainment and driver assistance technology. Here’s everything you need to know...
Price from £21,000 (est) | On sale Summer 2019
The Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport executive saloon has been on sale for two years now, so it has been treated to additional driver assistance technology and infotainment improvements as more ammunition in the fight against the Skoda Superb and Volkswagen Passat.
It has also been redesigned, with a tweaked front end, new LED headlights, narrower foglight housings and a new-shape front grille with a chrome surround.
Those headlights each contain 84 LED elements that work with the in-car camera to alter the range and direction of the light beam in reaction to other vehicles and road and weather conditions. The beam automatically adapts to curves in the road and extends farther into the distance for motorway driving.
2020 Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport engines
There’s no official word on new engines yet, but the Insignia is likely to gain the new, more efficient units recently given to the Astra family car.
These include three-cylinder 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre petrol units with a variety of power outputs, plus a new 1.5-litre diesel that’s capable of 64.0mpg official fuel economy in the Astra. These engines can all be mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, while the diesel can also come with a new nine-speed automatic.
2020 Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport interior
The biggest confirmed changes to the Insignia centre on technology. The already fairly comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems is enhanced by an optional rear collision warning system that detects people or vehicles up to 20 metres away and up to 90deg to each side of the car’s rear.
And every version of the Insignia's infotainment now gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for better smartphone integration, while the range-topping 8.0in touchscreen system has Connected Navigation services that provide real-time traffic information, online map updates and predictive navigation for route planning.
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The best and worst executive cars
The Insignia competes in a highly competitive market, with the best executive cars combining two opposing qualities: luxury and affordability. Here we count down our top 10 – and names the models that are best to steer clear of.
10. Mazda 6
The latest Mazda 6 offers strong but quiet diesel engines and plenty of room for passengers, plus Mazda's infotainment system is second only to BMW's for ease of use. Only the fact that the 6's low-speed ride is firm and the handling less precise than you might expect stops it finishing higher.
Taking on the German brands in the executive car market is a big task, but Jaguar has made a good go of it with its junior saloon, the XE. It's offered with a strong range of engines and rewards keen drivers with excellent steering and sharp handling. It's let down a little when it comes to interior quality, but a generous equipment list should entice company car drivers.
Read our full Jaguar XE review >>
8. Mercedes C-Class
The C-Class is one of the big three when it comes to executive cars – the other two being the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series, which feature further up this list. Merc's car does a lot well, too, combining strong and efficient engines with a smart interior and lots of toys. However, the ride is rather firm on standard suspension.
Best executive cars 2023
A good executive car need to be comfortable, classy and well equipped, yet also cheap to run. So, which models hit all their targets, and which should be avoided?
