Opel Insignia (hatchback / sedan / Sports Tourer) · A (G09)
Generation 1 2008–2017
European Car of the Year 2009 and now one of the cheapest big cars in Poland. The 2.0 CDTI (A20DTH) is the mainstream diesel, fine when the DPF, EGR, swirl flaps and injectors are looked after; the 1.8 and 1.6 Turbo petrols are simple; the 2.0 Turbo and OPC 2.8 V6 are the fast ones (4x4 available). FlexRide and AFL are the desirable options. Rust is not an issue.
Photo: order_242 from Chile · CC BY-SA 2.0
Recognition
How to tell it apart
- •Coupé-like hatchback profile, boomerang LED light signature on facelift; Sports Tourer estate; Country Tourer raised with cladding
- •OPC has a deep front bumper, Recaros and 4x4
2013 facelift
- New front and rear styling, IntelliLink infotainment with touchscreen, revised interior
- 2.0 CDTI 120/140/163/170 and 195 BiTurbo; 1.6 CDTI 120/136 (2015); 1.6 SIDI Turbo 170; 1.4 Turbo 140
- Country Tourer added; OPC to 2017
Engines
Engines
1.4 Turbo · 140 hp
2011–2017
Petrol · Manual · FWD
Small turbo in a big car: economical, adequate, LPG-friendly.
1.6 (A16XER) · 115 hp
2008–2012
Petrol · Manual · FWD
Underpowered; timing belt discipline.
1.6 Turbo · 180 hp
2008–2013
Petrol · Manual · FWD
Brisk; turbo and PCV with age; LPG possible.
1.6 SIDI Turbo · 170 hp
2013–2017
Petrol · Manual / Automatic · FWD
Direct-injection facelift petrol; automatic available.
1.8 (A18XER) · 140 hp
2008–2017
Petrol · Manual · FWD
Simple, durable, LPG-friendly; slow in the Insignia. Timing belt every 60,000 km.
2.0 Turbo · 220 hp
2008–2017
Petrol · Manual / Automatic · FWD / AWD
Quick (250 hp from 2013), 4x4 available. Robust engine; thirsty. Rare and undervalued.
2.8 V6 Turbo · 260 hp
2008–2012
Petrol · Manual / Automatic · AWD
Turbo V6 with 4x4; smooth, thirsty; timing chains and coolant with age.
OPC 2.8 V6 Turbo · 325 hp
2009–2017
Petrol · Manual / Automatic · AWD
325 hp V6, adaptive 4x4 with rear LSD, HiPerStrut, FlexRide, Recaros, Brembos. Heavy, fast, characterful.
1.6 CDTI · 136 hp
2015–2017
Diesel · Manual / Automatic · FWD
Late 'Whisper' diesel: quiet, frugal, good; automatic available on 136.
2.0 CDTI · 130 hp
2008–2017
Diesel · Manual / Automatic · FWD
Detuned 2.0 (110–140 hp): same engine, less stress. Standard DPF/EGR/swirl flap upkeep.
2.0 CDTI · 160 hp
2008–2017
Diesel · Manual / Automatic · FWD / AWD
The volume Insignia diesel (160/163/170 hp): torquey, comfortable, 4x4 available; DPF, EGR, swirl flaps and injectors need attention; timing belt.
2.0 CDTI BiTurbo · 195 hp
2012–2017
Diesel · Manual / Automatic · FWD / AWD
Twin-turbo diesel, often 4x4; fast and rare; complex turbo system.
| Engine | For sale now | Years | Gearbox · drive | Sought after | Robust | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1.4 Turbo · 140 hp Petrol · 1.4 Turbo · A14NET | 96 | 2011–2017 | Manual FWD | Small turbo in a big car: economical, adequate, LPG-friendly. | ||
1.6 (A16XER) · 115 hp Petrol · 1.6 115 | 17 | 2008–2012 | Manual FWD | Underpowered; timing belt discipline. | ||
1.6 Turbo · 180 hp Petrol · 1.6 Turbo 180 · A16LET | 54 | 2008–2013 | Manual FWD | Brisk; turbo and PCV with age; LPG possible. | ||
1.6 SIDI Turbo · 170 hp Petrol · 1.6 SIDI 170 · A16XHT | 71 | 2013–2017 | Manual / Automatic FWD | Direct-injection facelift petrol; automatic available. | ||
1.8 (A18XER) · 140 hp Petrol · 1.8 140 · A18XER | 82 | 2008–2017 | Manual FWD | Simple, durable, LPG-friendly; slow in the Insignia. Timing belt every 60,000 km. | ||
2.0 Turbo · 220 hp Petrol · 2.0 Turbo 220/250 · A20NHT / A20NFT (250) | 122 | 2008–2017 | Manual / Automatic FWD / AWD | Quick (250 hp from 2013), 4x4 available. Robust engine; thirsty. Rare and undervalued. | ||
2.8 V6 Turbo · 260 hp Petrol · 2.8 V6 Turbo 4x4 · A28NET | 14 | 2008–2012 | Manual / Automatic AWD | Turbo V6 with 4x4; smooth, thirsty; timing chains and coolant with age. | ||
OPC 2.8 V6 Turbo · 325 hp Petrol · Insignia OPC · A28NER | 13 | 2009–2017 | Manual / Automatic AWD | 325 hp V6, adaptive 4x4 with rear LSD, HiPerStrut, FlexRide, Recaros, Brembos. Heavy, fast, characterful. | ||
1.6 CDTI · 136 hp Diesel · 1.6 CDTI 120/136 · B16DTH | 85 | 2015–2017 | Manual / Automatic FWD | Late 'Whisper' diesel: quiet, frugal, good; automatic available on 136. | ||
2.0 CDTI · 130 hp Diesel · 2.0 CDTI 110/120/130/140 · A20DTJ / A20DTL | 395 | 2008–2017 | Manual / Automatic FWD | Detuned 2.0 (110–140 hp): same engine, less stress. Standard DPF/EGR/swirl flap upkeep. | ||
2.0 CDTI · 160 hp Diesel · 2.0 CDTI 160/163/170 · A20DTH / A20DTR | 693 | 2008–2017 | Manual / Automatic FWD / AWD | The volume Insignia diesel (160/163/170 hp): torquey, comfortable, 4x4 available; DPF, EGR, swirl flaps and injectors need attention; timing belt. | ||
2.0 CDTI BiTurbo · 195 hp Diesel · 2.0 CDTI BiTurbo 195 · A20DTR | 93 | 2012–2017 | Manual / Automatic FWD / AWD | Twin-turbo diesel, often 4x4; fast and rare; complex turbo system. |
Versions
What the badges mean
Essentia / Edition
commonbase
2008–2017
Basic and mid trims: air-con, alloys on Edition.
Cosmo / Sport / Innovation
uncommonequipment line
2008–2017
Higher trims: climate, AFL xenon, AGR seats, FlexRide on Sport, leather on Cosmo.
Country Tourer
rarespecial edition
2013–2017
Raised Sports Tourer with cladding and 4x4 on 2.0 CDTI/BiTurbo.
OPC
rareperformance model
2009–2017
325 hp V6, 4x4 with LSD, HiPerStrut, FlexRide, Recaros, Brembo brakes.
Watch out: OPC Line styling is not an OPC.
Options
Options that matter
uncommon
AFL bi-xenon adaptive headlights
Excellent adaptive lights; Cosmo/Sport.
uncommon
FlexRide adaptive chassis
Adaptive dampers with Tour/Sport modes; Sport/OPC.
uncommon
AGR ergonomic seats
Opel's certified seats; superb for long distances.
rare
Adaptive cruise control (facelift)
Rare; long-distance comfort.
uncommon
Leather upholstery
Cosmo.
rare
Ventilated front seats
Rare on Insignia; Cosmo option.
uncommon
Navi 900 / DVD 800
Factory navigation.
common
Heated seats (front / rear) / heated wheel
Valued.
uncommon
Rear-view camera
Useful.
rare
Sunroof
Rare.
uncommon
LPG installation (aftermarket)
Common on 1.8 and 1.4 Turbo.
common
Tow bar
Common on Sports Tourer.
common
18–20 inch wheels
Visual.
Before you buy
What to know
Strengths
- +Comfortable, quiet, handsome; huge Sports Tourer
- +Very cheap for the size; rust-free
- +AGR seats and AFL lights are genuinely good
Expensive when they fail
DPFTiming belt failureHaldex unit
Polish market
Very cheap: a Cosmo 2.0 CDTI Sports Tourer with AFL and AGR seats costs half of a comparable Passat. Petrol 1.8s on LPG are the cheap-to-run sleeper; OPC is a rare bargain performance car.
Known weak points
- moderate2.0 CDTI DPF, EGR, swirl flaps and injectorsThe A20DTH's known items: intake swirl flaps, EGR cooler, DPF regeneration and injector wear. Timing belt every 60,000 km / 6 years too.Check: Ask about swirl flap/EGR/DPF work and the last timing belt.
- seriousTiming belt (petrol XER and 2.0 CDTI)Belt-driven engines need the belt, tensioner and pump on time.Check: Ask for the last timing belt invoice.
- noteAutomatic gearbox (Aisin AF40)Durable but wants fluid changes; harsh shifts when neglected.Check: Ask about fluid changes; feel for harsh shifts.
- note4x4 HaldexRear coupling and its pump need fluid service.Check: Ask about Haldex service.
- noteElectric parking brake and electronicsParking brake modules, IntelliLink and CIM faults.Check: Test the parking brake and infotainment.
- noteSuspensionFront lower arms, drop links, rear bushes; the heavy car eats them.Check: Listen for knocks.
- moderateFleet mileageMost 2.0 CDTIs are ex-fleet; 300,000+ km is common.Check: Compare wear with mileage; ask for VIN.
From the market
Real cars on sale right now
From the market
Engines actually on sale
Grouped from 1797 live listings: what people are selling, at what price and mileage.
| Engine | Share | Typical price | Median mileage | Gearbox · drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2.0 Diesel · 160 hp 2.0 CDTI Cosmo | 27% | 16 900 PLN | 251 830 km | Manual / Automatic · FWD / AWD |
2.0 Diesel · 130 hp 2.0 CDTI | 12% | 14 700 PLN | 264 000 km | Manual / Automatic · FWD / RWD |
2.0 Diesel · 170 hp 2.0 CDTI Cosmo S&S | 10% | 29 900 PLN | 207 847 km | Manual / Automatic · FWD / AWD |
1.4 Petrol · 140 hp 1.4 T Cosmo S&S | 5% | 22 700 PLN | 192 300 km | Manual · FWD |
2.0 Diesel · 140 hp 2.0 CDTI EcoFLEX S&S | 5% | 22 900 PLN | 227 542 km | Manual / Automatic · FWD / AWD |
1.8 Petrol · 140 hp 1.8 Edition | 5% | 16 900 PLN | 199 800 km | Manual · FWD |
2.0 Petrol · 220 hp 2.0 T Cosmo | 4% | 18 900 PLN | 213 000 km | Manual / Automatic · FWD / AWD |
1.6 Diesel · 136 hp 1.6 CDTI ecoFLEX Start/Stop Edition | 4% | 25 900 PLN | 199 000 km | Manual / Automatic · FWD |
From the market
Price by model year
Typical price and mileage for each model year on sale.
From the market
Most common versions
- Cosmo84
- Sport47
- Edition47
- T Cosmo29
- T Cosmo S&S27
- Cosmo S&S26
- T Sport18
- Innovation16
From the market
Equipment seen most often
Radio 100%Electric front windows 100%Traction control 97%ESP stability control 97%Driver airbag 97%Passenger airbag 97%Front armrest 97%ABS 97%Electric rear windows 93%Heated door mirrors 93%Cruise control 90%Front curtain airbags 90%Front side airbags 90%Leather steering wheel 86%
Our picks
Versions worth looking for
2.0 CDTI 160 Cosmo Sports Tourer, timing belt and DPF documented
The long-distance bargain.
1.6 CDTI 136 (2015–2017)
The refined late diesel.
2.0 Turbo 4x4 for petrol buyers
Quick and undervalued.