Vauxhall Vectra

Which Vauxhall Vectra Version Should You Buy?

The choice comes down to two distinct groups of Vauxhall Vectra Sedan models. The 2 generation, produced from 1995 to 2001 with eight listed modifications, offers naturally aspirated Gasoline engines, a 5-speed Manual gearbox and FWD.

The choice comes down to two distinct groups of Vauxhall Vectra Sedan models. The 2 generation, produced from 1995 to 2001 with eight listed modifications, offers naturally aspirated Gasoline engines, a 5-speed Manual gearbox and FWD. The 3 generation, produced from 2003 to 2008 with nine listed modifications, adds turbocharged 2.0 MT and 2.8 variants, a 6-speed Manual or Automatic transmission, and stronger performance. Choose the 1.6 MT or 1.8 MT when measured fuel consumption matters most, the 2.0 MT for the most balanced performance increase, and the 2.5 MT or 2.8 MT when acceleration and horsepower take priority.

Vauxhall Vectra generations: what changed?

The 2 generation Vauxhall Vectra is a Sedan covering 1995–2001. Its eight database entries use 1598, 1998 or 2498 cc Gasoline engines. Every listed version has FWD and a 5-speed Manual gearbox. Output ranges from 100 hp to 170 hp, while measured acceleration ranges from 13 to 8 seconds to 100 km/h. Ground clearance is 140 mm, and every version has a 60-litre fuel tank.

The 3 generation is also a Sedan, covering 2003–2008, with nine database entries. Its engine sizes are 1796, 1998 and 2792 cc. The 1.8 MT remains naturally aspirated and uses a 5-speed Manual, while the turbocharged 2.0 MT and 2.8 MT use a 6-speed Manual. A turbocharged 2.8 AT combines 250 hp with a 6-speed Automatic. All versions have FWD. Compared with the 2 generation, ground clearance falls by 10 mm to 130 mm, while listed tank capacity is either 60 or 61 litres.

Vauxhall Vectra engine specs

Repeated version names represent separate database entries with different performance or weight figures. They are therefore shown separately below without renaming the modification anchors.

The output differences are substantial. Moving from the 2 generation 1.6 MT with 100 hp to its 2.0 MT adds 36 hp and 38 Nm. The 2.5 MT adds another 34 hp and 42 Nm over the 2.0 MT. In the 3 generation, the 2.0 MT gains 53 hp and 98 Nm over the 1.8 MT, while the 2.8 MT or 2.8 AT gains another 75 hp and 85 Nm.

Calculated specific output also shows the effect of turbocharging. The 2 generation engines produce approximately 62.6–63.2 hp per litre for the 1.6 MT, 68.1 hp per litre for the 2.0 MT, and 68.1 hp per litre for the 2.5 MT. The 3 generation reaches approximately 67.9 hp per litre in the 1.8 MT, 87.6 hp per litre in the 2.0 MT, and 89.5 hp per litre in the 2.8 MT and 2.8 AT.

Vauxhall Vectra performance and mpg

For the 2 generation, the quickest 2.5 MT reaches 100 km/h in 8 seconds, 4 seconds sooner than the measured 12-second 1.6 MT. Its top speed is 42 km/h higher. The other 2.5 MT entries take 9 and 8.5 seconds, so buyers should match the exact entry rather than assuming identical performance from the shared version name.

For the 3 generation, the quickest 2.8 MT records 6.9 seconds and 255 km/h. Against the 1.8 MT with the same 11.2-second acceleration figure and a 205 km/h top speed, it is 4.3 seconds quicker and 50 km/h faster. The 2.8 AT takes 7.3 seconds and reaches 250 km/h; the measured 2.8 MT entries improve acceleration by 0.2 or 0.4 seconds.

Measured economy favours the 2 generation 1.6 MT at 6.7 l/100 km combined. Among 3 generation entries, the lowest combined figure is 7.7 l/100 km for a 1.8 MT. The comparable 2.0 MT records 8.9 l/100 km, using 1.2 l/100 km more combined while providing 53 additional horsepower. Fuel consumption for every 2.8 MT and the 2.8 AT is not measured, so the data cannot support an economy comparison for those versions.

Vauxhall Vectra dimensions, weight and capacity

Exterior length, width, height, and wheel sizes are not measured in the supplied catalogue data for any version. The available dimensions-related figures are kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance and fuel-tank capacity.

The lightest listed car is a 2 generation 1.6 MT at 1200 kg. At 100 hp, that equals 12 kg per horsepower. The most favourable measured ratio belongs to the 3 generation 2.8 MT at 1495 kg and 250 hp, or approximately 6 kg per horsepower. The 3 generation 2.0 MT at 1395 kg delivers approximately 8 kg per horsepower, while the 1.8 MT at 1398 kg has approximately 11.5 kg per horsepower.

Which Vauxhall Vectra version should you choose?

For the lowest measured combined consumption, choose the 2 generation 1.6 MT with 100 hp, 12-second acceleration and a 1200 kg kerb weight. Its 6.7 l/100 km combined figure is 1 l/100 km lower than the best measured 3 generation 1.8 MT result. The trade-off is performance: its 188 km/h maximum is 42 km/h below the fastest 2 generation 2.5 MT.

For a stronger 2 generation car, the 2.0 MT is the middle choice. It produces 136 hp and 188 Nm, compared with 100 or 101 hp and 150 Nm for the 1.6 MT. Both 2.0 MT entries reach 100 km/h in 10 seconds. The 2.5 MT supplies 170 hp and 230 Nm, with acceleration between 8 and 9 seconds, but its fuel consumption is not measured.

The 3 generation 1.8 MT is the economy-oriented option where complete consumption figures are required. Depending on the entry, it records 7.7 or 7.9 l/100 km combined and takes 11.2 or 12.1 seconds to reach 100 km/h.

The turbocharged 3 generation 2.0 MT is the strongest all-round numerical compromise. It has 175 hp and 265 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 9.1 or 9.4 seconds, and still provides measured combined consumption of 8.9 or 9.2 l/100 km. Against the 122 hp 1.8 MT, it buys 53 hp, 98 Nm and an acceleration improvement ranging from 1.8 to 3 seconds across the listed entries.

Choose the 3 generation 2.8 MT when maximum performance is the priority. Its best entry combines 250 hp, 350 Nm, 6.9-second acceleration and a 255 km/h top speed. Choose the 2.8 AT when a 6-speed Automatic is required: output remains 250 hp and 350 Nm, while acceleration is 7.3 seconds and top speed is 250 km/h. Because consumption and 2.8 AT kerb weight are not measured, no evidence-based mpg or weight comparison can decide between the 2.8 transmissions.