Opel Insignia Tourer Select 2.0 CDTi 2012 review

The Opel Insignia Tourer aimed directly at the likes of Peugeot's 508, Passat wagon, Citroen C5 Tourer, Mondeo wagon, even the Hyundai i40 wagon. Not forgetting the new generation Mazda6 wagon due early next year. So what has Opel done to lure buyers?

Price and equipment

Opel's Aussie line-up tops out with this medium size car -- the diesel Insignia Select wagon called Sports Tourer. It sells for $48,990 but if you don't want all the luxury kit, there is another, same under the skin for $41,990.

Select grade brings a generous level of features including a set of striking 19-inch alloys, leather upholstery with extendable front seat squabs (also heated and ventilated), adaptive bi-xenon lighting with auto dim and satnav, the latter being optional on all other Opels sold here.

Inside you'll also find Bluetooth phone, seven speaker audio, cruise, dual zone climate control, electric park brake and sports pedals. Obviously, there's plenty more.

Safety and comfort

Insignia scores a five star Euro NCAP rating with all that brings including six air bags and stability control. It also has seats designed to comply with the German Healthy Backs Association. They're excellent. Exterior styling is distinctive with handsome frontal treatment and really attractive rear styling featuring a large tailgate and integrated tail lights.

They've even fitted supplementary safety lights at the rear for when the tailgate is up.

Design

Load carrying capacity is generous in a car that isn't quite as large externally as some of the competition. Fold the rear seats and you can chuck just about anything in there. We like the LED daytime driving lights and the dark privacy glass from the rear windows back. The space saver we don't like.

Mechanical and drive

They've really made it sporty with firm suspension, lower ride height and quick steering response and the turbo diesel engine has plenty of kick pretty much from idle.

It's good for 118kW/350Nm output and sips fuel at the rate of 6.0-litres/100km. The engine isn't the smoothest or quietest diesel we've driven recently but it certainly delivers in the get-go department as well as passing Euro 5 emissions regulations.

The six-speed auto transmission provides appropriate gearing for the engine and makes slick changes up and down the range, but there's no paddle shift.

Verdict

Insignia stacks up well on all counts: performance, safety, features, style, drive feel though some might think it's too stiff in the suspension.