Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer Exclusiv 1.8i 5dr Car Review - March 2012

With a maximum power output of 138 bhp at 6300 rpm with torque figures of 129 lb-ft at 3800 rpm, this car is capable of a decent top speed of 126 mph. Considering the size and class of this car this is more than adequate and means owners will get a strong car for their money.

The model is an excellent motorway cruiser and the ride is generally fairly refined, although road noise can become an issue at higher speeds. Wind noise is well contained.

The steering lacks a little in terms of feedback when compared to some rivals, and the driving experience is not a particularly exciting one.

The Exclusiv trim level of this model offers buyers the basic essentials as standard equipment but unfortunately many modern luxuries are only available at cost. Standard equipment includes: power steering, central locking, stability control, climate control, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, cruise control and an advanced stereo system with CD and MP3 connectivity.

Bluetooth connectivity is available for an additional £220 whilst a built-in sat nav costs £1,200. Leather seats cost £1,045 with rear parking sensors priced at £395. Alloy wheels and a metallic paint finish can also be added to upgrade the exterior for an additional cost of £490 and £495 respectively.

A generous boot space is one of the benefits of this model and an impressive 540 litre capacity is offered even when the seats are in place. With the seats folded down this expands to 1,530 litres – making it more than ample for the average family.

Reliability is expected to be strong and this means buyers shouldn’t have to face expensive maintenance costs. A five year 100,000 mile warranty is offered on the car for extra assurance and a service is recommended every 20,000 miles.

In terms of safety, the car performed well in the NCAP crash tests, achieving the top rating (five stars) for overall safety. Occupant safety was also rated at five stars with child safety achieving four stars.

These high safety levels are partly thanks to an advanced safety kit which is fitted as standard. This offers driver, passenger and front side airbags all as standard features. An alarm and immobiliser are also fitted.

Priced at £21,190 this model is fairly reasonable for its class. The range of basic equipment is adequate for families and the ample boot space gives the vehicle practicality. Combined with the high safety levels this makes the Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer Exclusiv 1.8i 16v a reliable family car.

Green credentials are poor with high carbon emissions of 184 g/km and this means road tax costs are likely to be high under tax band I. Insurance premiums are more reasonable, falling under a mid-range insurance group (16), but relatively low fuel economy of just 36.2 mpg means refuelling will be more frequent and expensive than some may expect from a family car.

Overall, the Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer Exclusiv 1.8i 16v is a decent family car which could prove popular. However, a combination of poor efficiency and relatively high running costs comprimise the value for money on offer. Other models in the range would make for a wiser investment.