Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer estate (2009 – ) expert review

1. Exterior

Estate cars don’t really get any more attractive than this. The Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer is a truly good-looking car – arguably more so than the saloon on which it’s based. Most saloons or hatchbacks that are stretched into estate cars look ungainly, but the Insignia has the length and the poise to pull it off. The bodywork is very elegant and the nose-to-the-ground stance suits it well.

Our rating: 5

2. Interior

The cabin is very well built and finished. The controls on the dash are large and well-labelled, but they take a bit of getting used to, as there are rather a lot of them and the centre console appears a little cluttered. Rear visibility isn’t great though – it’s hampered by the slim shape of the rear windscreen. However, back seat passengers aren’t short of space.

Our rating: 4

3. Practicality

There’s 540 litres of boot space available with the rear seats in place and 1,530 litres on offer when they’re folded down, about average for an estate car of this size. Vauxhall is known for its practical interiors on family cars and the Insignia is no exception. The Elite model comes with an electric opening hatchback, which automatically stops at three quarters of its full opening height to avoid hitting low ceilings in car parks. The rear seats are easy to fold down and the wide boot opening makes loading easy.

Our rating: 4

4. Ride and handling

Though the Insignia isn’t quite as engaging as its biggest rival – the Ford Mondeo Estate – it’s still not bad to drive. It’s sure-footed, with plenty of grip. Larger wheels can upset the ride slightly, so it’s best to stick to the smaller sizes. The ride itself is excellent and the Insignia is a fine, comfortable cruiser. The optional FlexRide system allows you to switch between Normal, Sport and Tour modes – Normal and Tour are fine, as they suit the Vauxhall’s relaxed nature, but Sport just makes the ride too hard.

Our rating: 4

5. Performance

The 178bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged engine is one of the keenest performers in the range. The 2.8-litre V6 Insignia is slightly faster, but it’s much more expensive to buy and run. The modest size of the 1.6-litre engine means that it has far better economy and emissions than the V6, but it’s still capable of reaching 62mph in 8.7 seconds. Mid-range acceleration is particularly impressive and the big Vauxhall will carry on to 137mph. The diesel models offer acceptable performance with good pulling power.

Our rating: 4

6. Running costs

Running costs may be more impressive than those of the V6 petrol engine, but the 1.6-litre unit is significantly dearer to run than the more popular diesel variants. Expect 35.8mpg on average and emissions of 186g/km. As for insurance, the Vauxhall is fairly middle of the road and about average for a family estate car.

Our rating: 3

7. Reliability

The Insignia is too new to appear in the JD Power Satisfaction survey, but its predecessor, the Vectra, impressed owners with its reliability. However, Vauxhall’s overall score could have been better, as it finished 23rd out of 27 manufacturers in 2010. Build quality is very impressive, though. The Insignia’s cabin is well-finished and the materials seem as though they belong in a more expensive car.

Our rating: 3

8. Safety

The Insignia scored a credible five stars overall in the new EuroNCAP safety tests. It features the usual six airbags and stability control as well as anti-whiplash headrests in the front and headlamps with a number of different beam patterns to suit different driving conditions. Anti-lock brakes and traction control are also included, as are headlights that swivel to give a better view of the corner ahead.

Our rating: 4

9. Equipment

The Insignia is available in a tremendous amount of specifications and Elite is one of the most generously kitted-out of the lot. Just a few of the many extras on the Elite are electric heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors, leather trim, dual-zone climate control and adaptive lighting. You pay a premium for this much equipment, but there are plenty of other alternative specification levels available throughout the range, so there’s something for everyone.

Our rating: 4

10. Why buy?

The Vauxhall is one of the best looking estate cars on the market and the build quality belies its mid-range price tag. The ride is comfortable and the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine is very potent. There are more spacious cars available should that be your priority, but the Insignia ST is big enough for most and packed with practical features. If fuel economy and price are key, there are plenty of other versions of the Insignia Sports Tourer to choose from.

Our rating: 4