Estate
The previous Vectra estate was poorly thought out and not that roomy, but this one couldn’t be more different: its cabin and loadbay are huge, and there’s ample room for a family of five and a fortnight’s holiday luggage. The rear seats drop down to free up even more space.
For the driver, comfort and visibility could scarcely be better, but a few controls are awkward and some find the one-touch indicators annoying. The Vectra is also a fine drive (although a Mondeo is better), as long as you avoid the sporty models that ride too stiffly. Mainstream versions are more comfortable, but still steer and grip well, while the car's real strength is its refinement: there's no wind noise in the cabin, even at motorway speeds, and the engines remain muted unless they're revved hard. Finally, safety looks good, too: Euro NCAP awarded the Vectra four stars out of five for occupant safety (good but not class-leading), but only a poor one star for protecting pedestrians.
Running Costs
Depreciation is savage, so watch what age of car you buy. By its third birthday, the car will have lost 60p from every pound of its original list price. However, depreciation is at its worst in the first 12 months, so buy a car older than that and you’ve less to fear. Other than that, there's little here to worry you, as daily running costs are affordable. The 1.8s fall into insurance group 7, most others sit in groups 10 to 12 and only the 3.2 takes you as high as group 15. Servicing is cheap and simple, too, and even more so if you go to an independent rather than a main franchise. An on-board computer tells you when work is due, so driving sensibly can keep your bills down even further. Finally, for a big car, the Vectra's fuel economy is very good. The 1.9 diesels achieve an easy 40mpg, while the 1.8 petrol manages the low 30s. The 2.2 does slightly better because it doesn’t have to work so hard, but, as you’d expect, the 2.0 turbo and V6s drink more.
Estate
The previous Vectra estate was poorly thought out and not that roomy, but this one couldn’t be more different: its cabin and loadbay are huge, and there’s ample room for a family of five and a fortnight’s holiday luggage. The rear seats drop down to free up even more space. For the driver, comfort and visibility could scarcely be better, but a few controls are awkward and some find the one-touch indicators annoying. The Vectra is also a fine drive (although a Mondeo is better), as long as you avoid the sporty models that ride too stiffly. Mainstream versions are more comfortable, but still steer and grip well, while the car's real strength is its refinement: there's no wind noise in the cabin, even at motorway speeds, and the engines remain muted unless they're revved hard. Finally, safety looks good, too: Euro NCAP awarded the Vectra four stars out of five for occupant safety (good but not class-leading), but only a poor one star for protecting pedestrians.
Running Costs
Depreciation is savage, so watch what age of car you buy. By its third birthday, the car will have lost 60p from every pound of its original list price. However, depreciation is at its worst in the first 12 months, so buy a car older than that and you’ve less to fear. Other than that, there's little here to worry you, as daily running costs are affordable. The 1.8s fall into insurance group 7, most others sit in groups 10 to 12 and only the 3.2 takes you as high as group 15. Servicing is cheap and simple, too, and even more so if you go to an independent rather than a main franchise. An on-board computer tells you when work is due, so driving sensibly can keep your bills down even further. Finally, for a big car, the Vectra's fuel economy is very good. The 1.9 diesels achieve an easy 40mpg, while the 1.8 petrol manages the low 30s. The 2.2 does slightly better because it doesn’t have to work so hard, but, as you’d expect, the 2.0 turbo and V6s drink more.
Hatchback
The Vectra is built for covering distance comfortably, not sheer thrills, so you're buying into a car that thrives on strong mid-range shove rather than high-revs. Even so, the economical 1.8-litre petrol can feel a little slow to pick up speed at times, although the other engines in the range are ready, willing and able. Overall, the Vectra is well suited to easy-going, everyday driving, particularly on the motorway. It's a company car favourite, after all, and will plough on all day long at the national limit without disturbing the hush in the cabin. The suspension will also shake off lumps and bumps competently, and its handling marks a real improvement on the older Vectra's. However, again it's competent rather than class-leading, and the electronic steering on some cars is short of feedback. Still, the cabin is well laid out, roomy (fitting five adults is no problem) and shows some Audi-like quality. The driving position is excellent and the boot is a match for the Mondeo's.
Running Costs
New Vectras are sold in huge numbers at discounted prices to businesses and rental firms, and they've all got to be resold somewhere. Trouble is, used supply exceeds demand. That's great news if you're buying a two- or three-year-old example - plenty of choice, competitive prices - but it's not so great if you're trying to flog a three-year-old Vectra after paying too much for it as a nearly new car. That's not to say you shouldn't buy a nearly new car. Just make sure you factor likely resale prices into the equation before you sign up. Happily, there's precious little else to worry about, so long as you steer clear of (or don't mind) V6 models, which are far thirstier and more expensive to service. The diesels will give an official average of 50mpg (the V6 diesel about 10 less) and the petrols high 30s. The LPG 1.8s are stiff on insurance; otherwise, premiums are, like service costs, decent enough.
Saloon
The Vectra is built for covering distance comfortably, not sheer thrills, so you're buying into a car that thrives on strong mid-range shove rather than high-revs. Even so, the economical 1.8-litre petrol can feel a little slow to pick up speed at times, although the other engines in the range are ready, willing and able. Overall, the Vectra is well suited to easy-going, everyday driving, particularly on the motorway. It's a company car favourite, after all, and will plough on all day long at the national limit without disturbing the hush in the cabin. The suspension will also shake off lumps and bumps competently, and its handling marks a real improvement on the older Vectra's. However, again it's competent rather than class-leading, and the electronic steering on some cars is short of feedback. Still, the cabin is well laid out, roomy (fitting five adults is no problem) and shows some Audi-like quality. The driving position is excellent and the boot is a match for the Mondeo's.
Running Costs
New Vectras are sold in huge numbers at discounted prices to businesses and rental firms, and they've all got to be resold somewhere. Trouble is, used supply exceeds demand. That's great news if you're buying a two- or three-year-old example - plenty of choice, competitive prices - but it's not so great if you're trying to flog a three-year-old Vectra after paying too much for it as a nearly new car. That's not to say you shouldn't buy a nearly new car. Just make sure you factor likely resale prices into the equation before you sign up. Happily, there's precious little else to worry about, so long as you steer clear of (or don't mind) V6 models, which are far thirstier and more expensive to service. The diesels will give an official average of 50mpg (the V6 diesel about 10 less) and the petrols high 30s. The LPG 1.8s are stiff on insurance; otherwise, premiums are, like service costs, decent enough.
expand / collapse