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Vauxhall/Opel Tigra Twintop (2004-2009)

With the growing trend of the roadster, GM followed Toyota’s lead and cut the top off the latest version of a popular small coupe. The Vauxhall Tigra Twintop is a fun little sports car. Vauxhall/Opel took their time to develop this car and it seems time well spent. Unlike the old Tigra which looked like a coupe but drove like the Corsa hatchback it was based on, this model has a more sporting drive. It is still not as fun to drive as it looks, but the Vauxhall Tigra Twintop is great value, and both practical and economical to own.

The ride is reasonably refined for a small convertible and for a small car the luggage space is good even when the roof is down. The interior comes straight out of the Corsa Hatchback and comes as a disappointment after looking at the exterior styling. With competition from the more fashionable Mini, the Tigra struggled to make a big impact on the ‘fun car’ market.

The Tigra was sold as a Vauxhall in the UK, Opel in Europe and with a Holden badge in Austrailia.

Vauxhall/Opel Tigra Twintop Details

Production Dates2004-2009
Length 3921 mm / 154 in
Width 1905 mm / 75 in
Height 1364 mm / 54 in
Wheelbase 2491 mm / 98 in
Turning Circle 10 m / 394 in
Luggage Capacity 440 litres / 15.54 cu ft
Fuel Tank Capacity 45 litres / 11.9 US gal
Warranty 3 years or 60,000 miles
Service Intervals 20,000 miles

Vauxhall/Opel Tigra Twintop 1.4 16v

The Tigra Twintop's smart looks are let down by this 1.4 litre engine which doesn't really have enough puff to do anything else but potter to the shops and back. Not one for the enthusiastic driver. The 1.8 is the only model with enough power to make driving enjoyable but even that is far from sporting.

Specifications

Fuel type Unleaded Petrol
Engine type Straight 4
Engine Capacity 1364 cc
Power 90@5600 bhp
Torque 92@4000 lb.ft
Transmission type 5-spd / 5-spd Easytronic
Kerb Weight 1160 kg / 2557 lb
UK Retail Price from £15,055
UK Insurance Group 9

Performance

Max speed (manual) 112 mph / 180 kph
Max speed (auto) 111 mph / 179 kph
0-100kmph (manual) 12.4 seconds
0-100kmph (auto) 13.4 seconds

Economy and Emissions

EU Combined Fuel Economy (manual) 46.3 mpg / 6.1 L/100km
EU Combined Fuel Economy (auto) 47.1 mpg / 6 L/100km
CO2 Emissions (manual) 146 g/km
CO2 Emissions (auto) 144 g/km

Vauxhall/Opel Tigra Twintop Exclusiv 1.8 16v

The Tigra Twintop 1.8 is the choice of the range but only by default in a range of dated feeling engines, the others being disappointingly slow. It has just enough power to raise a smile but still struggles a bit with overtaking. For a car of this size the fuel economy could also be better. A pity really beacuse the Tigra is an attractive car.

Specifications

Fuel type Unleaded Petrol
Engine type Straight 4
Engine Capacity 1796 cc
Power 125@6000 bhp
Torque 122@4600 lb.ft
Transmission type 5-spd manual
UK Retail Price from £17,040
UK Insurance Group 13

Performance

Max speed (manual) 127 mph / 204 kph
0-100kmph (manual) 9.4 seconds

Economy and Emissions

EU Combined Fuel Economy (manual) 37.7 mpg / 7.5 L/100km
CO2 Emissions (manual) 179 g/km

Vauxhall/Opel Tigra Twintop 1.3 CDTi 16v

The 1.3 diesel engine isn't the best choice for the Tigra Twintop unless your only priority is fuel economy. The CDTi is slow and noisey with little to mark in its favour except for the 61 miles it can drive on a gallon of fuel.

Specifications

Fuel type Diesel
Engine type Straight 4
Engine Capacity 1248 cc
Power 70@4000 bhp
Torque 125@1750-2500 lb.ft
Transmission type 5-spd manual
UK Retail Price from £16,070
UK Insurance Group 8

Performance

Max speed (manual) 104 mph / 167 kph
0-100kmph (manual) 15.5 seconds

Economy and Emissions

EU Combined Fuel Economy (manual) 61.4 mpg / 4.6 L/100km
CO2 Emissions (manual) 124 g/km

Information last updated

5 Owner Reviews

Do you drive a Vauxhall/Opel Tigra Twintop? Would you recommend it to others? Join the conversation and let us know what you think of the car. This Vauxhall-Opel currently has 5 owner reviews.

  1. Avatar for Ali Ali says:

    I love my Tigra. Mine is a company car and the second one I’ve had, I would have had a 3rd but am gutted to learn Vauxhall have stopped making them. It is small but perfectly formed and loads of fun especially with the roof down. It seems compact but a passenger over 6ft assured me he wasn’t uncomfortable. I prefer reverse parking and initially found the restricted rear window view awkward; it’s fine when you get used to it but I did go for parking sensors on my 2nd Tigra. When I have to renew whatever alternative car I end up with, I hope they have a new Tigra on the market, because I would definitely want another one.

  2. Avatar for William Elliott William Elliott says:

    We bought our 2006 “one owner from new”, low milage 1.4 Tigra Exclusive in June 2009 and have been extremely happy with it from the day we picked it up from Vauxhall. I am 6’4″, plenty of head and leg room, good size boot, even with the roof down. Economical, £130:00 to tax, low insurance, easy to park. So far, has sailed through the MOT’s and serviceing.
    Went to the Algarve and back in 2010 and what a great drive it was, relaxed, good comfy seats, excellent sound system with the roof down. I/we would recommend a Tigra, its a fun car with the roof up or down, fantastic heating system as the roof is down on dry days throughout the year. Most certainly have another one if the were still being made.

  3. Avatar for Colin Macklin Colin Macklin says:

    Used to own the diesel version when I lived in France. Very slow but economical and reliable. No problems at all with the folding roof and a decent size boot even with the roof down. If its just fresh air and a drop top you want then this is the car but be prepared to be overtaken by every boy racer on the road.

  4. Avatar for Ally Ally says:

    Own a 1.4 Vauxhall Tigra which I love. Never had a convertible of my own before. Its a smooth ride and real fun. Lots of space within the car and a handy netted area behind the seats. Not bad on petrol too on a long run. Has a larger boot than first thought so you can drive with the top down with your luggage in the boot. Never written a comment before but felt I needed to as there was so much negative press about the tigra that it nearly put me off buying one – glad it didnt as I would have missed out on all the fun.

  5. Avatar for joel abey joel abey says:

    Great fun little car cheap to run great with roof down ì have two own them for 2 years love them to bites

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