Search Car Reviews



See all makes

Vauxhall Vectra

Vauxhall Vectra 2.2 DTi

The Vectra 2.2 DTI is much the same as an articulated lorry. Why? Because it's going to be bought by companies as a business tool rather than by private owners. Well, that's the way Vauxhall sees it, claiming three- quarters of Vectras will be sold to the fleet sector with only a handful of diesels ending up with individual owners.

May 2002

  • Rating:
The Vectra 2.2 DTI is much the same as an articulated lorry. Why? Because it's going to be bought by companies as a business tool rather than by private owners. Well, that's the way Vauxhall sees it, claiming three- quarters of Vectras will be sold to the fleet sector with only a handful of diesels ending up with individual owners.

So should we buck the trend and all buy one with our own money? Unadventurous looks aside, you know already how deeply the new Vectra has impressed us. In last week's test against its key rivals, it saw off the talented Ford Mondeo as well as the new Renault Laguna and Nissan Primera.

But that was a petrol-powered battle and the results might not have been so clearcut had the rivals filled up with diesel. While everything else about the Vectra is new, the 2.2-litre four-cylinder unit in this mid-range DTI Elegance is decidedly not. The 123bhp engine is carried over from the old Vectra ί¿½ and frankly, it shows. Although fitted with a variable nozzle turbocharger gizmo to improve throttle response, it lacks advanced common-rail injection, which is crucial to boost economy and improve green credentials.

Start the engine and an unmistakable diesel rattle jiggles both gearlever and pedals. While hardly intrusive, it's far from the last word in refinement. Any improved acoustics are down to the stiffer and better insulated chassis. You need at least 1,500rpm to make decent progress ί¿½ not a problem, given that the engine climbs readily to its 4,000rpm power peak ί¿½ but the long-throw action of the five-speed gearbox is a hindrance. Acceleration is brisk and no more ί¿½ witness the unexceptional 0-60mph sprint time of 10.5 seconds. The motor's thrummy soundtrack is audible at all speeds, but it merely highlights how quiet and cocooned the cabin is from wind, suspension and tyre noise.

Engine drone aside, there's an almost eerie absence of external noise. Despite long-legged gear ratios that allow the engine to amble along in top at a little over 2,000rpm at motorway speeds, there's still plenty of mid-range torque for powering past slower traffic. In isolation, Vauxhall's 43.5mpg claim for the 2.2 DTI seems impressive, but it's well beaten by the Mondeo TDCi, Skoda Superb PD130 and Renault Laguna dCi, which achieve 48mpg, 49mpg and 50.5mpg respectively. If you rack up a high annual mileage, the Vectra's thirst will hit your wallet hard.

So will its lacklustre CO2 level. The DTI's 176g/km figure puts the Vectra in the 20 per cent tax bracket for company car drivers, higher again than the Mondeo, Superb and Laguna, which all sit in the 18 per cent band.
If anything, these diesel shortcomings put into perspective the overall competence of the remaining parts of the Vectra. With its supple, cosseting ride quality and sure-footedness at speed, it makes a good motorway mile- muncher. The cabin is a far cry from that of the old car too, with a fine driving position, well planned controls and an intelligently laid out dash. Only minor niggles, such as the irritatingly small audio controls, mar the package. And while the suspension is tuned for comfort over sportiness, the chassis still excels. For a big, heavy saloon, the Vauxhall handles with the crispness and control of a smaller, more agile hatch. Grip levels are high, and the nose simply goes where it's pointed.

Yet, mainly due to its engine, the DTI is a mixed bag. Until all-new diesels arrive next year, the private buyer will still be shopping elsewhere.

Tell us about your car in our Driver Power survey.

What Next

For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift!

< Previous   Next >

Sponsored Results

0 Comment

Be the first to comment on this article

You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join.



Sponsored Results

More VAUXHALL VECTRA articles


Related Index Pages

- Advertisement -

Pictures

Sponsored Results

Find Used Cars

Find your Vauxhall Vectra with our used car search.

Find Used Cars

FIRST OPINION

    The new Vectra is a dramatic improvement over its predecessor, but the decision to use the old turbodiesel engines from the outgoing model is disappointing. They detract from an otherwise competent package. New common-rail engines cannot arrive a day too soon.
 

AT A GLANCE

    New diesel line-up ranges from �15,545 to �20,300
    Top 2.2 unit delivers a top speed of 128mph and 43.5mpg
     
    - Advertisement -