Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer

FIRST UK DRIVE We see if petrol estate impresses as much as diesel

- Richard Ingram

WE drove the new Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer last month (Issue 1,478), and were impressed by its breadth of ability. We praised everything from the spacious cabin to its punchy engine and high-quality interior – but what if you’re after a petrolpowered estate? Can this turbo Insignia satisfy those wanting to ditch diesel?

The first thing you notice is how quiet the car is. We rated the new 1.5 turbo highly in the Grand Sport hatch, and it’s a suitable fit for the estate, too. At idle there’s barely a murmur from under the bonnet, while pulling away is a relaxed affair. It can feel strained at high revs, but a welcome slug of torque means you’ll rarely stretch it that far.