- P11D Value / BIK band: £20,725 / 24%
- 5-door estate
- 108bhp/300Nm 1.6 litre, 4cyl diesel/six-speed manual
- Economy (comb) / CO2: 65.7mpg / 112g/km
- Performance: 10.9sec /127mph
What is it?
First came the Insignia Grand Sport and now the range is completed, with the Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer estate just hitting the dealers.
To chase the premium opposition that Vauxhall think this car will be up against, the Insignia Sports Tourer like the hatch has a longer wheelbase with more interior and bootspace (135 litres more), is lighter (reduced by 200kg), offers a large range of petrol and diesel engines and is topped off by an even sleeker exterior and classier interior styling.
According to Vauxhall, diesel will still account for the majority of Insignia Sports Tourer sales and we’ve got the expected best-selling engine – the 110PS 1.6-litre, in a more entry-level-like Design trim – wrapped up as the Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer 1.6 110 ecoTEC Turbo Diesel Design Nav – for an early UK drive, to see if the new Insignia is still as impressive in estate form.
What’s hot
- Despite being the smallest diesel engine available in the Insignia with 108bhp, the 1.6-litre Ecotec turbo diesel is impressively refined. Should you need the performance, there’s enough here to satisfy with a top speed of 127mph and 0-60mph acceleration in just 10.9 seconds. On top of the performance, even in Sports Tourer estate form, the Insignia is impressively efficient with a 65.7mpg consumption figure and emissions of 112g/km. This engine is mated to an impressively slick six-speed manual gearbox.
- Even the Sports Tourer has apparently been influenced by the 2013 Monza concept, although like the Grand Sport those original Insignia styling cues are still there they’ve been cleverly and sleekly reimagined. Design highlights start at the front, with the proud, upright and inverted family grille, the sharp headlights with the latest version of the characteristic ‘wing’ signature and the long bonnet with its sharp design line. This Insignia might be an estate, but like the hatch, the Sports Tourer still has a sleek, sporty looking profile, with the wing detail flipped in the opposite direction. The most interesting design detail that differs from the hatch to the estate, is the chrome detailing that follows the sloping window line, which then carries on down the rear roof pillar. This detail is even carried on in the rear lights with a distinctive roof spoiler too. We think it is better looking than the Grand Sport hatch.
- Refinement is still the name of the game in the new Insignia – even when in Sports Tourer estate form – in fact, on the move it’s hard to tell the difference between this and the Grand Sport hatch! Comfortable and composed best describes the drive around town – this Vauxhall impressed with how even the worst pot holes were hardly noticeable on the test route, even though this Insignia was on optional 18-inch wheels. On the road, the Insignia Sports Tourer is a tidy if unexciting drive. There’s some bodyroll, but it’s still a neat handler with plenty of grip and responsive steering.
- Estate or not, the Sports Tourer feels identical at the front to the Insignia Grand Sport hatch. This means a slim but wide feel, with the same curvy, but attractive and well-made dashboard, with logical zoned switchgear on the centre console. Our Design Nav trim test car had standard seats, but these were still comfortable and supportive – with the rest of the driving position being multi-adjustable. We reckon the Insignia would be perfect for long motorway trips. There’s also plenty of useful stowage. Move to the back and like the Grand Sport, even in estate form there’s impressive levels of head and legroom. At the back, the boot opens wide and like rear passenger space, bootspace has grown usefully, with 135 more litres, now totalling a capacious 1,665 litres.
- Our Design Nav trim is priced at £20,940. It is full of all the standard kit you need including sat-nav, air-conditioning, cruise control, electric windows all round, keyless entry, reach adjustment on the steering wheel and electric folding door mirrors.
- Although there’s no Euro NCAP crash test result yet, the Insignia Sports Tourer should do well with standard kit including automatic emergency braking and a lane departure warning system.
What’s not
- Unlike the Grand Sport, which is a new name for the Insignia, the Sports Tourer badge is a carry over from the last-generation model – shame it’s not seen anywhere on this Vauxhall’s exterior.
- Space and smart new look or not, premium rules in this class and we don’t think the Vauxhall will be considered in the same way as an Audi and BMW.
- With the optional 18-inch wheels, this Insignia still rides well, although it’s a shame about the road noise.
Verdict on Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer 1.6 110 ecoTEC Turbo Diesel Design Nav
In Sports Tourer estate form, the new Vauxhall Insignia builds on the attractive features that the Grand Sport hatch is known for, as the sleek new look inside and out works even better as an estate. Plus, there is welcome extra bootspace.
This Vauxhall is also affordable to buy, cheap to run and with its refined ride, a comfortable way to complete long motorway journeys.
However, although a tidy ride, keen drivers might prefer to bite the tax bullet for more horsepower.
Will Insignia Sports Tourer fit your needs?
