Skip advert
Advertisement

Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer

Has Vauxhall turned acclaimed family car into a great estate?

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Vauxhall Insignia
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

THE new Insignia estate is leagues ahead of the drab Vectra it replaces, and with the rear seats in place it offers even more practicality, too. It shares the same underpinnings, trims and engines as the hatch and saloon – only the £2,000 price rise and bigger boot set them apart. The classy, well specced cabin, clever controller and electric tailgate put the Insignia in premium class territory. And although it’s not the best car to drive in this sector, in every other respect it’s a winner.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It's the family car that found room for improvement! Hot on the heels of the saloon and hatchback that went on sale in January, this is Vauxhall’s Insignia Sports Tourer.

But it doesn’t only offer extra space – as the model has loaded up on innovation, too. Deep scallops along the sides mirror the tapered roof, and the bulky tailgate gives the Tourer extra road presence.

Yet while the new shape is a success, the hatch trumps it for style, and the Tourer doesn’t quite have the kerbside appeal of Ford’s Mondeo estate. This car really proves its worth inside. In SE Nav spec it features a central controller, reminiscent of the BMW iDrive system, as well as an electronic parking brake, so the cabin is truly classy.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Tucson

2023 Hyundai

Tucson

33,363 milesManualPetrol1.6L

Cash £19,200
View Tucson
E-PACE

2020 Jaguar

E-PACE

54,933 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £13,800
View E-PACE
1 Series

2019 BMW

1 Series

27,000 milesAutomaticPetrol3.0L

Cash £24,150
View 1 Series
XC60

2020 Volvo

XC60

55,200 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £23,450
View XC60

Crucially, there’s a plentiful 540 litres of luggage space with the seats in place. This extends to up to 1,530 litres with them folded. A lowered tailgate is standard on all SE and Elite models, and this can be programmed to open to 75 per cent of the full height if there’s a low ceiling in your garage or car park. There’s also a handy undertray beneath the boot floor, which allows the load area to be flattened out.
Our model was powered by the 158bhp 2.0-litre CDTI diesel.

There’s a 128bhp version, too, and these units are expected to account for 69 per cent of all sales. Our car was a superb performer, pulling strongly and smoothly from low revs, while claimed 47.1mpg fuel economy makes it easy on the wallet, too.

Besides tweaked springs and anti-roll bars, the running gear remains unchanged – and it shows. Despite the extra metal at the back, the Tourer handles with the poise of the hatch, gripping hard in corners and handling sudden changes of direction with minimal fuss. It’s not as entertaining as a Mondeo estate, but for long-haul trips in comfort, the big Vauxhall is tough to beat.

Rival: Ford Mondeo
blue oval estate has over 200 litres more boot space than the Vauxhall with the seats down. It’s sportier to drive, too – although the Insignia is a better cruiser.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,924 off RRP*Used from £12,300
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £27,005Avg. savings £7,837 off RRP*Used from £12,712
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £3,152 off RRP*Used from £14,700
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £1,806 off RRP*Used from £15,644
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

MG Cyber X will morph into a mini-Mercedes within two years
MG Cyber X design render - front

MG Cyber X will morph into a mini-Mercedes within two years

Boxy small SUV is gearing up for production, and our exclusive images show how the model might look
News
30 Aug 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Ford Puma Gen-E granted ultra-low £132 monthly lease
Ford Puma Gen-E - front action

Car Deal of the Day: Ford Puma Gen-E granted ultra-low £132 monthly lease

The EV grant has made the Ford Puma Gen-E a lot cheaper, and lease customers can cash-in with today’s Deal of the Day
News
29 Aug 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Racy and retro Renault 5 for only £188 a month
Renault 5 - front full width

Car Deal of the Day: Racy and retro Renault 5 for only £188 a month

The Renault 5 is taking the market by storm – and at this price it’s easy to see why. It’s our Deal of the Day for August 30
News
30 Aug 2025