By the end of the year, the Vectra will have been replaced by the Insignia. So you could be forgiven for thinking that, just months from the great showroom in the sky, the Vectra is past it.
But there’s life in the Vauxhall yet. The 1.9 CDTi engine isn’t as strong as some, but there was nothing wrong with the way it took the Vauxhall from 30-60mph in 17.2 seconds. Into a headwind in top gear, 60mph was a struggle, but the engine proved smooth and refined, however hard it was working.
Numb steering and a soft edge to the handling were disappointments but, even so, the Vectra breezed through the lane-change test. Respectable scores from the practicality judges added to the car’s strong showing.
Should you buy a Vectra when it’s about to be replaced? If you can chip away at the asking price and plan to keep the car for a long time, then we wouldn’t try to talk you out of it.
