Design 2.0 CDTi 120 ecoFLEX Start/Stop 5dr Estate

A dreadfully dull car

Got this car as a courtesy car whilst mine was in for repairs. Drove it for 2 weeks and 1500 miles and was totally underwhelmed by it.

On specification its quite impressive, sat nag, start/stop system, low emissions, electric handbrake etc but in reality its just a heavily blinded Vectra, big on the outside but not big on the inside.

Problem is, this car is underpowered for its weight (almost 1.7 tons) and as a result to make progress and get the job done, it means that you have to rev the car. It won't hold top below 60mph and having to run a lower gear in reality it ends up more thirsty than the more powerful variants. 45mpg might be achievable in mixed driving but its easy to dip below 40mpg which is petrol car territory.

The sat nag is open sourced software and nowhere near as good as a tom tom, though it does say please when giving directions. Reality is, no speed cameras, a few very odd road selections, no IQ routes, and the lane guidance whilst having a useful thing in the steering wheel doesn't give such a good road view as a proper make. If its possible to put 3rd party software in this then do so....

Handling isn't too good, it is badly damped and on choppy roads induces car sickness even for the driver and if you get enthusiastic is like a pogo stick over bumps.

The diesel is noisy and rough and despite being related to the outgoing 1.9cdti, is nowhere near as good.

It looks dull and never inspired me at all.

I wanted to like it but ended up hating every mile I drove in it.

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