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Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer SRI Nav 1.6CDTi 136PS review

Insignia Sports Tourer dynamic e1469631302603
Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer

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18 May 2016

What is it?

THIS is the Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer, not new that’s for sure, but now sitting under the bonnet of this still smart estate car is Vauxhall’s ‘Whisper Quiet’ 1.6-litre diesel engine. And although we’ve seen it in Zafira and Meriva models, that is new to the Insignia.

Delivering 136PS, the new 1.6 diesel offers a variety of benefits, particularly CO2 emissions: just 104g/km for this estate car, which makes it very competitive on company car tax. The Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer SRI Nav 1.6CDTi 136PS review car is in the 20% company car tax band, with company car tax starting from as little as £79 a month.

Typical rivals include the newer Volkswagen Passat 1.6 TDi SE Business model, but with only 120PS power, a higher price (£25,415 P11D value) and higher cost company car tax (from £89 a month) – the benefit in kind value of the Insignia Sports Tourer of £4754 plays £5337 for the Passat – this 1.6CDTi engined estate offers a lot for the money.

Another alternative might be one of the premium brands, such as the Audi A4 Avant, but at a P11D value of £30,550, that costs considerably more – a fact which plays out in its great benefit in kind value: £6009, resulting in company car tax from £102 a month.

What’s hot?

  • Well let’s start with that engine – it’s powerful, smooth and with 136Nm of torque it really is lusty, particularly in the mid-range.
  • And frugal – the official figure is 72.4mpg, so there’s a potential range in excess of 1,000 miles (600 in real life usage)
Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer SRi review
Eco index display
  • It’s great for the company car driver, too, with low CO2 emissions and low company car tax – from under £80 a month for a sporty estate car
  • Inside you get a whole range of aids to help you monitor your driving style to achieve maximum efficiency – such as the eco index (keep the green ball in the green bit) and economy trend read out
  • It might be good on fuel, but the new Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer SRI Nav 1.6CDTi looks good on the outside, too, with great looking wheels (optional upgrade to 19-inch alloys for £565) part of the svelte package
  • And it cracks on with motorways, with gearing that allows a quiet drive making long distances disappear under those 19-inch alloys with ease, comfortable sports seats, and a leather covered steering wheel
  • Inside the interior is clean with 8-inch touchscreen forming the centrepiece, with excellent graphics

What’s not?

Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer SRI review
Boot space in the Insignia Sports Tourer
  • The engine might be quiet at speed but it’s still gruff under acceleration
  • The exterior tailgate appearance / actual interior load space relationship flatters to deceive – it’s not as big as you think. Longer items can be taken with the assymetric split fold rear seats down, but rivals such as the Passat offer more (540 litres versus 650 in the Passat)
  • Front and rear parking sensors are a £450 extra

Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer SRI Nav 1.6CDTi 136PS review verdict

This new 1.6CDTi engine in the Insignia Sports Tourer keeps this likeable estate car relevant to company car drivers. It’s a nicely constructed sports package with pleasingly low company car tax levels

It’s not the biggest load carrier in the business, that’s for certain, but as an all-round business package the Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer 1.6CDTi really delivers.

Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer 1.6 CDTi SRi 136PS Start/Stop ecoFLEX – the low down

Doors and body style 5 door estate
Engine/gearbox: 1.6 4 cyl diesel/6 speed manual, FWD
CO2 Emissions: 104g/km
Economy: 72.4mpg
Power/torque: 136PS/320Nm
0-62mph/top speed: 11.4secs/127mph
Insurance group: 17

…..and what it costs

P11D Value £23,769
Monthly business rental (ex VAT) From £262 (3+ 35/30,000 miles)
Road tax (VED) B
Company Car Tax Bands 2016/17-2018/19 20% 22% 24%
Benefit in kind 2016/17  £4,754
Annual/Monthly fuel benefit (20%)  £888/£74
Annual/Monthly fuel benefit (40%) £1776/£148
Annual/monthly company car tax (20%) £951/£79
Annual/monthly company car tax (40%) £1902/£159
Figures correct at time of posting  May 2016
For latest figures Use our company car tax calculator
Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer SRI review
The sporty Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer SRI looks cool on the street

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