Vauxhall Insignia Hatch Techline 2.0 CDTi

by Tim Barnes-Clay, the man behind the wheel. on
Vauxhall Insignia Hatch Techline 2.0 CDTi

The latest Insignia range made its world debut at the end of 2013.

It's offered as a five-door Hatch, four-door Saloon and Sports Tourer estate. Also available are a range-topping Country Tourer and a high performance VXR version.

Looks-wise, the car hasn't changed radically. Starting at the front, the high-gloss chrome grille is wider and lower than before. The logo-bar that cradles the Griffin badge is thinner and includes winglets that link with the re-designed headlamps. Standard headlamps are trimmed in high-gloss black with chrome-embedded accents, with the up-level lights getting a 'wing-signature' daytime running light with energy-saving LEDs.

In profile, the New Insignia Hatch has a classic coupe silhouette and is better defined through its unique boot and rear spoiler. At the rear, the model appears wider and lower. The high-gloss chrome logo bar has been positioned lower on the tailgate and extends into the tail-lights, while the tail and stop functions of the two-piece tail-lights are illuminated by sparkling LEDs.

There are four new engines, including: a 114g/km 170PS 2.0 CDTi Techline, offering large cost benefits to fleet and high-mileage drivers. This is the Hatch model I tested, and I've got to say that it makes perfect sense if you 'live' on the road.

The car sips fuel from the tank, yet delivers punchy performance and a safe, cocoon-like cabin. In fact, I had the Vauxhall all week and drove all around the Midlands to Heathrow and back a couple of times without ever needing to top up. That's not surprising though because the Techline model can achieve up to 62.8mpg. Vauxhall Insignia Hatch Techline 2.0 CDTi

The Insignia offers a raft of technology, safety and comfort highlights. These include Automatic lighting control with tunnel detection, rain-sensitive windscreen wipers, Bluetooth connectivity and LED daytime running lights, to name just a few.

The boot is huge, too, which is another benefit if, like me, you need to take lots of bags and clothes with you when you're stopping in and out of different hotels or flying to other countries for work.

Indeed, the car makes a perfect office-cum-home. Gadgetry such as a DMB (Digital Media Broadcast) radio is standard, but the biggest change is a completely re-designed centre console and instrument cluster. The dash has been simplified and now has fewer buttons for more intuitive operation of common functions, such as air conditioning, while the instrument cluster has new dials and a fresh, high-tech look.

An eight-inch infotainment display has touch-screen functionality, allowing you to access all functions and sub-menus such as radio stations, song titles, smartphone connection or 3D navigation in a safe way. Its illuminated, touch-sensitive surface reacts immediately to your finger movements, with even individual letters and numbers being accessible via this method.

The Insignia's combination of efficiency, design and state-of-the-art infotainment will certainly prove tempting to company car drivers and fleet decision-makers alike.

It may not have the cache of German executive mile-munchers but it's the perfect alternative to rivals such as the Ford Mondeo or VW Passat.

Vauxhall Insignia Hatch Techline 2.0 CDTi

PROS 'N' CONS

PROS

  • Efficiency
  • Boot size
  • Equipment
  • Cabin

CONS

  • Perceived kudos


FAST FACTS

  • Max speed: 139 mph
  • 0-62 mph: 9.0 secs
  • Combined mpg: 62.8
  • Engine: 1956cc 4 cylinder 16 valve diesel
  • Max. power (bhp): 168
  • Max. torque (lb/ft): 295
  • Price: £22,984