BMW 318d vs Opel Insignia GS 2.0 Turbo D
We opened the door to the Opel Insignia and what we found is a modern, sophisticated and clearly premium environment. No favor: the cabin of the Insignia crashes with those of the compatriots of the BMW, Mercedes or Audi. Anyway, if we see everything in detail, perhaps some (very few) Opel materials are not as noble as those, but in general terms, the idea is that the Insignia loses very little for premium saloons, especially for the BMW 3 Series, the model we have chosen to compare with the saloon in the coupe format of Opel.
The Insignia we tested was fitted with beautiful brown colored perforated leather upholstery that greatly contributed to the quality of the passenger compartment. Of course a fabric upholstery version would not have the same feel, but this is something that also happens with the premium ones. At Opel, it is worth mentioning the good driving position and the correct positioning of all the driving controls and the high location of the screen that allows to manage the multimedia system and other systems of the car (readable and easy to use screen).
At BMW, there is nothing surprising: the sobriety of custom, exemplary ergonomics and a lot of quality materials and finishes. But nothing surprises us ... Incidentally, the cabin of the Series 3 looks even a bit aged, something that has no punctual effect on our confrontation, but that can not be ignored.
As far as space is concerned, the Insignia stands out with front and rear width and leg length in the rear seats (the Insignia Grand Sport grew 5.5 cm in length and 9.2 cm in wheelbase, which increase the space in length in the rear), an important argument knowing that this type of automobiles are still considered as a family transport hypothesis by the minority that has not yet been contaminated by SUV fever. For these, it is important to note that the volume of the 3 and Insignia luggage compartments is practically the same (480 and 490 liters, respectively), differing in the form of access: while in the Opel, the door raises the rear window, creating a wide opening for loading, in the BMW it is only possible to open the cover, offering much more limited access and that ends up becoming impractical if it is necessary to carry larger objects ..
Underneath the Insignia bonnet we find the 4-cylinder, 2-liter turbo block that transits the first generation of the model, debuting 170 hp and 400 Nm, which gives it good acceleration and elasticity, a fact that is not unlike the well-graded one six-speed manual gearbox. Smooth and quiet, this propeller powers the statutory aspirations of the elegant saloon. In the direct confrontation with the BMW 4-cylinder, which also has 2 liters of capacity, but less 20 hp (150) and 80 Nm (320), the Opel Diesel is slightly faster in acceleration 0-100 km / h, but it is in recoveries that it stands out (and a lot!), as evidenced by our measurements.
In this category, there are several automobiles that stand out for the efficiency and fun rates of dynamic performance. But in Insignia, dynamics align with the effectiveness of mechanics. Being a car of big dimensions (almost five meters in length), it comes astonishing the agility and the balance that it shows to bend, not being intimidated with strokes stuffed with curves and countercurves. We liked the feel of the steering and the correct steering, which guarantees precise corner entries. It is not a sport, and even so we will not dwell on dynamic performance, but we think it is important to point out if it is also fun looking for in a familiar, this car can be a good hypothesis for you.
But be warned: even though the Insignia deserves to be praised in dynamics, the truth is that it has one of the most dynamic and effective cars in the segment. The Series 3 has long been known (and profitable) to be an automobile that invites enthusiastic driving, first because it is a rear wheel drive, then because the chassis is very balanced, the torsional rigidity high and the front obedient, letting itself be guided with accuracy and speed through a direction that offers a lot of feeling to the driver. It can not be said that it is a very easy car to drive quickly for most drivers (rear-wheel drive can play a few games ...), but for the more experienced in accelerated driving it is a delight.
And the best of all is that comfort is not too penalized. And we spoke of the Series 3 (whose suspensions were smoothed in this generation) and also the Insignia, whose unit tested was equipped with wheels of 20 inches. On good floor, the serenity is common feature to both, but in a more degraded floor, the filtration did not seem so high as, for example, in the Audi A4.
Lastly, the economic aspect: looking at the end of the data sheet we realized that the prices of BMW 318d and Opel Insignia Grand Sport differ by only 50 € (which is not usual between a premium and a generalist), but the biggest dissimilarities are a little higher up, in the equipment, where the disparity is almost scandalous.
The Opel saloon has everything and everything else for comfort equipment (only relevant leather seats are optional) and safety, while the Series 3 has very little. In this, only the Insignia is premium.
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