63 Opel Insignia: Handsome design still retains its appeal

It’s testament to the Insignia’s strength of appeal and design that, even with a replacement peeping over the horizon, it’s still on this list and still competitive. Opel has facelifted and improved more times than Kim Kardashian has been to the beauticians, and somehow, it just hangs on in there not perfect nor groundbreaking any more, but still rather good. It’s always been handsome, and Opel has wisely left the overall shape well enough alone, bar some minor tweaks to lights and bumpers. Inside, rather more changes have been wrought, with big new touchscreens taking the place of too many buttons and new part-electronic dials, rather unfortunately, replacing the handsome Omega-style clocks of the original. Engines too have been improved, and the latest CDTI diesels are a world away from their forebears, and much more economical in real-world terms. Best of all, though, the Insignia remains very good to drive. It has nice steering, a pliant ride and terrific seats, so long journeys are a doddle. Handsome estate is not as spacious as you’d quite like it to be (rear seat space has never been an Insignia strong point) and the hyper-powerful OPC model is a bit passé these days.

Price range: €25,095 to €55,495

Co2 emissions: 99 to 244g/km

Which one? 2.0 CDTI 170hp Elite

PCP from €245 per month