Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer Elite 2.8i V6 Turbo 4x4 | New Car Review

“Smart-looking midsize estates
have always held a strong appeal
for UK motorists with families and
lifestyle activities to accommodate.
Now, thanks to Vauxhall’s sleekly-
styled and rather rakish Insignia
Sports Tourer, you don’t have to
remortgage your home to put a
smart lifestyle estate on your drive...”

THE FIVE-SEAT SPORTS TOURER is the third body style available from Vauxhall's Insignia range. Just a quick glance and it's obvious that the 'Sports Tourer' name is justified on two counts: firstly, it's undeniably a seriously sporty-looking estate that had it been presented with an Audi or BMW badge, would have been entirely believable as a premium German import. And secondly, its long body makes it equally persuasive as a long-legged family load-carrier.

While the Insignia can be had with a wide range of diesel and petrol engines, to provide the 'go' its well-honed, muscular body hints at you'll want some real grunt under the sculpted bonnet. And Vauxhall has just the powerplant for that — the most powerful engine in the Sports Tourer range, the 256bhp 2.8i V6 24v Turbo that's good for 154mph.

The V6 develops 258lb ft of torque between 1,900 and 4,500rpm; ninety per cent of it generated at just 1,500rpm. Pull away boy-racer style and the turboed Sports Tourer will hit 60mph from standstill in 7 seconds. Thanks to the muscular torque, overtaking can be as rapid as you require. Helping to maintain your grip on reality is the standard-fit adaptive four-wheel drive to optimise handling and driving stability in all conditions — as well as increase traction at take-off and on slippery surfaces. For the record, all V6 Turbos come with a six-speed automatic transmission with a sequential manual mode.

With a pokey V6 under the bonnet you'd be correct in assuming that fuel is going to be your biggest running cost. And you'd be right. Officially the turboed V6 returns just 16.5mpg in town. On the open road you might stretch this to 35.8mpg while the official average figure is given as 25mpg. Our week-long test average worked out to 26.4mpg with 32+ easily seen on the motorways.

Another standard core Insignia feature is FlexRide. This allows drivers to select from three dynamic chassis modes (Standard, Tour and Sport). In addition, the Sports Tourer variant is available with a choice of two base chassis: Sport, which is standard on all SRi models; and Comfort, which is standard on S, Exclusiv, SE and Elite models. The Comfort chassis — the default on the turbocharged V6 — serves up a noticeably more compliant and comfortable ride.

“That’s not to say the
Tourer isn’t up for some
fun on demanding
A-roads because it is.
Select the adaptive
damping’s Sport mode
and you’ll be more than
satisfied with
its body control and
handling prowess...”

In Sport mode, FlexRide not only provides stiffer damping but also sharper throttle response. It also changes the valving in the Variable Effort Steering, ups the shift-points of the automatic transmission to a higher rpm and adjusts the adaptive 4X4 system for more rear-wheel drive.

Also in Sport mode, the Intelligent Adaptive Forward Lighting system (also standard on Elite models) reacts more quickly, and the lighting on the instrument panel changes from white to red to add to the driving experience. This clever cornering light system automatically matches the car's headlamp beam to prevailing road and weather conditions and offers a total of nine light functions so drivers can see the road better while, for example, turning a curve or driving along a country road at night. In addition, LED daytime running lights (including automatic light switching) are also standard.

Using the customisation menu, accessible via the infotainment display, the driver can personalise the Sport mode by specifying which functions are activated when the Sport button is pushed. For instance, the electronically-controlled dampers, steering and all-wheel drive can be added or switched off.

At the heart of FlexRide is the Driving Mode Control which oversees and executes the system's settings, allowing the car to react to sudden changes in driving style or emergency situations. If, say, an obstacle must be avoided when the car is in 'Tour' mode, various chassis sensors convey this to the DMC and the dampers are adjusted within a split second, optimising acceleration, braking and cornering.

The Tourer estate is a big car but it drives and handles with noticeably saloon-like composure. The steering feels a tad on the light side but it's not an issue because it's keen to respond. That's not to say the Tourer isn't up for some fun on demanding A-roads because it is. Select the adaptive damping's Sport mode and you'll be more than satisfied with its body control and handling prowess plus there's reassuring stability through corners. Brakes are well matched to the performance with discs all round, ventilated at the front and the rear. Stand-out multi-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels are standard shod with seriously wide and 'sticky' 245/45 Bridgestone rubber.

The Insignia is particularly at home on the motorway, where it feels stable and rides compliantly as it tirelessly clocks up the miles. And the auto 'box and strong torque make light work of the cut-and-thrust of congested city traffic. Whatever your route the Sports Tourer serves up decent ride refinement and stays as hushed as its 2009 European Car of the Year saloon sibling.

“Doors close with a
quality ‘thunk’ and the
shapely dash and
logically arranged centre
stack create a welcoming,
and spacious, two-seat
front cockpit...”

As you would hope from its handsome lines, the cabin is equally well turned-out; good enough, in fact, to compete with premium rivals. Doors close with a quality 'thunk' and the shapely dash and logically arranged centre stack create a welcoming, and spacious, two-seat front cockpit atmosphere. Fit and finish are first rate and the trim is as good to look at as it is pleasant to touch.

The well proportioned and well-bolstered seats are supportive. The dashboard cuts a stylish sweep and while there's quite a lot of switchgear it doesn't take long to acclimatise. As on Audi and BMW models, many of the Tourer's functions are controlled via digital display menus, either by scrolling or using the clearly marked buttons. Commendably, it's an easy system to use.

Rear seat passengers sit several inches higher than those travelling in the front but shouldn't have any cause for complaint as there's plentiful leg, knee and foot room and the rear seat backrests are set at a comfortable angle. A third person can be accommodated in the rear's 'piggy in the middle' position but, as always in almost any five-seater car, it's not the position you personally would choose.

High levels of equipment are standard. Starting with safety, there are driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags along with active front head restraints. There's also passenger airbag deactivation and Isofix on all three rear seats.

Comfort equipment includes dual-zone climate control that pumps out air as hot or cold as you can bear, full leather seat trim, eight-way electrically adjustable driver's seat, power driver's seat height adjuster and electrically-adjustable four-way lumbar support enhanced by two memory settings and a 'comfort exit' feature that automatically retracts the seat when it's time to get out. The three-stage heated seats do a grand job and finding the ideal driving position is made easy by the large range of both seat and steering column adjustment. The leather-wrapped wheel feels good in your hands with good thumb cut-outs.

Other essentials include cruise control, four one-shot up/down electric windows, multi-function steering wheel controls, on-board computer, power door mirrors with power fold, high-end hi-fi with integral six-disc autochanger, MP3 format and DAB digital radio, electronic handbrake (a very easy to use one that automatically releases as you drive away), front and rear parking distance sensors, dark-tinted Solar Protect glass, rain-sensitive wipers and automatic headlights.

“There’s loads of space: 1,530 litres for ‘workhorse’ load-lugging with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats folded, and all easily accessed through a wide hatch...”

The SatNav, incidentally, comes with a 7-inch colour monitor and offers 3-D map views. It also includes a port for either iPod or MP3 USB functions. In MP3 mode, the system allows improved access to files and directories; in iPod mode, full control and read-out is viewed on the monitor.

Accessing these features is easy using the multi-function controller that's standard on Elite models. In conjunction with SatNav, the controller uses a turn/push selection action and is located on the centre console between the front seats (alongside the electronic handbrake). This control is a boon for taller drivers who like to sit well back in their seats. Another rotary knob, operating the same functions, is sited below the monitor.

With an overall length of just under five metres — the Tourer's low stance and dramatically tapering roofline make it appear even longer — you expect a lot of load space. And there is: 1,530 litres for 'workhorse' load-lugging with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats folded, and all easily accessed through a wide hatch. With a full complement of passengers aboard the smartly trimmed boot still provides a generous 540 litres for luggage. Look closely and you'll find an under-floor storage area that's ideal for secreting your laptop.

A clever feature of the practical and distinctive tailgate that elegantly curves around the sides of the car is the secondary tail lights which are exposed when the tailgate is lifted. Incorporating brake, tail and indicator lights, these units allow other road users to see the rear of the car if, for instance, items are being unloaded from the luggage compartment at night or in poor visibility conditions.

Another labour-saving device is the power tailgate that can be opened and closed via a button on the key fob or by controls mounted on the inside of the driver's door and at the base of the tailgate itself. It also features a programmable opening height that prevents damage to the tailgate in garages with low ceilings.

The Sports Tourer is a big, roomy and practical family car that also handles its premium executive estate role with ease while majoring on strong road presence outside and providing a genuinely classy cabin inside. In turboed V6 spec, it's a pacey and refined car. Buyers of similar prestige German machinery will welcome the additional choice and the opportunity to 'Buy British'. — MotorBar

home | top of page | all car reviews