VAUXHALL INSIGNIA DIESEL HATCHBACK 2.0 CDTI EXCLUSIV 5DR

The diesel Insignias are important cars for Vauxhall. Steve Walker takes a look.

VAUXHALL INSIGNIA DIESEL HATCHBACK 2.0 CDTI EXCLUSIV 5DR

We ask a lot of our medium range family cars and the Vauxhall Insignia delivers better than most. A spacious, high quality cabin, low running costs and attractive pricing are its core strengths but the diesel models are also polished performers on the road with a good balance between comfort and handling.

VAUXHALL INSIGNIA DIESEL HATCHBACK 2.0 CDTI EXCLUSIV 5DR

The once booming medium range family car sector has fallen upon hard times. This fleet-focused corner of the market has seen its buyers siphoned off from all sides over the past few years and that's despite the overall standard of the cars therein being stronger than ever. It all paints a bleak picture for the Vauxhall Insignia which must fight to retain its manufacturer's share of a shrinking market against rivals that are right on their game. The diesel-engined models are crucial to the Insignia's fortunes and may be part of the reason why Vauxhall doesn't seem overly concerned.

The Vauxhall Vectra used to be able to rack up gargantuan sales figures simply by virtue of its status as Vauxhall's entrant in the medium range family car sector. Today, the Vectra's replacement has a far tougher fight on its hands. The company car drivers who were habitually shuffled into the Vectra and its ilk by their fleet managers have either been taxed out of their company cars completely or been presented with a far wider choice of vehicle than was the case in the past. With the Vectra gone off to circle the 10-lane ring road in the sky, it falls upon the Insignia to persuade these spoiled fleet punters that the medium range model they know is better than the 4x4, premium hatchback or compact executive saloon that they don't.

VAUXHALL INSIGNIA DIESEL HATCHBACK 2.0 CDTI EXCLUSIV 5DR

There are 128bhp and 158bhp versions of Vauxhall's 2.0-litre CDTi diesel engine available in the Insignia. This is a big car, weighing in at over 1.5 tonnes, but both engines are well capable of spiriting it along thanks to big torque outputs: the 128bhp CDTi 130 unit generates 300Nm from 1,750rpm while the 158bhp CDTi 160 has a maximum of 350Nm on tap at the same engine speed. It makes for a strong pull through the gears and decent overtaking urge for dispatching B-road slowcoaches. The gearing is relatively long, giving the car a relaxed feel on the motorways but a 0-60mph sprint of 8.9s shows that the more powerful car can still pick up its heels. The 10.7s sprint of the CDTi 130 model is less impressive.

The Insignia diesels aren't the quietest cars in this class when you're on the move. The suspension and tyre noise coupled with the muted growl of the engines ensures there's something to listen to when the stereo's off but it's not too intrusive. The ride quality is extremely good with Vauxhall's engineers having achieved a subtle balance between the firmness needed to excite a driver and the softness required to keep them comfortable. Push the car through a bend and it resists roll very well while the grip at the front wheels is tenacious. The steering isn't the most tactile or precise set-up, especially when making small adjustments around the straight ahead, but during more sweeping turns, the weight and response improves markedly. In general, the Insignia gets the balance between long distance cruiser and lively handler just about spot on for its class.

VAUXHALL INSIGNIA DIESEL HATCHBACK 2.0 CDTI EXCLUSIV 5DR

Part of the problem faced by medium range family cars is the dull 'repmobile', 'Mondeoman' image that has been foisted upon them but you'd have to say that the Insignia makes a valiant effort at shedding it. Personal taste will obviously come into play here but at least there's something in the bodywork to keep the eyes entertained. The strong shoulder line and near curves around the nose and rear give the car some character and a compact, even muscular look - remember that it's well over two meters wide and 4,830mm long. The cabin is slightly hit and miss with the steering wheel, door inserts and fascia showing off some very neat design and high quality materials. The hard plastics on the centre console (particularly the electronic hand brake switch) and some of the buttons rather let the side down. The instruments are clear and cowled by classy chrome circles which raise the tone.

The Insignia makes good use of its formidable bulk inside where there's good leg room for rear seat passengers and a boot of epic proportions. The curve of the roof does restrict rear head room but only occupants on the lofty side of six feet tall will really notice. Of more concern is the small rear windscreen and thick C-pillars which hinder rear visibility to a large degree. Vauxhall has engineered some conveniently shaped door pockets and a selection of deep cubbies in the centre console that includes a pair of cup holders. There's more storage for the rear seat occupants when they fold down the centre armrest that contains more cup cup holders and a flip-top receptacle. The basic controls of the car are easy to get you head around with Vauxhall wisely having dropped the Vectra's infuriating self-cancelling indicators. The control interface for the navigation and stereo systems is an improvement over that on older Vauxhall models but still less intuitive than the best systems around.

VAUXHALL INSIGNIA DIESEL HATCHBACK 2.0 CDTI EXCLUSIV 5DR

The Insignia range offers a choice of five-door hatchback, four-door saloon and Sports Tourer Estate bodystyles. Trim levels run from ES to Exclusiv to S and sporty SRi before progressing to the plusher SE and Elite models. Both of the diesel engine options are available with every trim except for the S level which only has the less powerful unit available and the Elite which is exclusive to the more powerful one. Pricing looks very competitive with the saloon and hatch pitched at the same level and the Sports Tourer commanding a £1,200 premium.

The range theoretically starts at 'S' level, but that's really a fleet-orientated model. For most private buyers, the entry-level point to Insignia motoring will be at ES or Exclusiv level. Exclusiv offers a decent level of standard equipment that runs to ABS brakes and ESP stability control, automatic headlamps, electric adjustment of the driver's seat height and lumber support, single-zone air conditioned climate control front, side and curtain airbags and even cruise control.

VAUXHALL INSIGNIA DIESEL HATCHBACK 2.0 CDTI EXCLUSIV 5DR

Although Vauxhall's CDTi diesels are solid units, they aren't the most modern out there but that and the car's size isn't reflected too strongly in the fuel economy figures. The CDTi 130 engine returns 48.7mpg and emits 154g/km of CO2, while the CDTi 160 gets identical numbers. This is a strong performance that can be improved upon further by selecting an environmentally-focused ecoFLEX model or blunted by going for the automatic gearbox.

Running costs are the elephant in the corner for all medium range family car models. Despite low prices and strong economy, cars in this sector routinely have the rug pulled from under them by weak residual values. The Insignia's focus on quality should address this to an extent and the diesel models are predicted to retain between 40 and 45% of their value after a typical 3-year ownership stint. That's not half bad and is competitive with the lower echelon of compact executive models that can be obtained for the same sort of money as a well-stocked Insignia.

VAUXHALL INSIGNIA DIESEL HATCHBACK 2.0 CDTI EXCLUSIV 5DR

Times are tough for manufacturers of medium range family cars but Vauxhall certainly isn't going down without a fight. In fact, if the Insignia is anything to go by, the marque has no intention of going down at all. This is a car that wipes the chequered history of the Vectra from the record in fine style, installing itself at the top of the medium range market with a high quality feel, generous space and excellent value for money. Some rivals might be more entertaining and others better built but as an overall package, the Insignia takes some beating.

The CDTi diesel models are the Insignias to choose unless you're tempted by the high performance petrol units which can be ordered with four-wheel-drive. Their plentiful torque and responsiveness make the Insignia a very capable long distance cruiser while also providing some entertainment. Economy too is impressive but think twice before choosing the automatic gearbox which increases costs. With the more powerful diesel engine returning identical figures, buyers with the flexibility in their budget would be well advised to upgrade.