Test drive of the Opel Insignia Country Tourer 2.0 BiTurbo Diesel 210 CV 4x4: for those who want it all

Now that MPVs are no longer a fashionable body style on the market, manufacturers are increasingly turning to estate cars and SUVs to accommodate the space needs a family may have. If we can also combine that space with off-road capability, the end result is very interesting.

Until a few years ago, this combination of an estate car with all-wheel drive and rugged capabilities was exclusive to premium brands. Fortunately, this has changed, and one of the newcomers to the market is this Opel Insignia Country Tourer, undoubtedly the most versatile Insignia in terms of both space and off-road capability, thanks to its powerful 2.0-litre diesel engine producing 210 CV and its 4×4 drivetrain.

Exterior design: SUV looks for an elegant estate

Building on the elegant design of the Opel Insignia, the German brand has introduced small changes to create a more SUV-like design and give this estate a rugged look. The grille follows the design of its siblings in the range, as do the LED front lights for all lighting functions -highlighted by the daytime running lights in a “brow” style-. The changes are also present in the lower part of the bumper, with black plastic inserts surrounding the front fog lights and a new central moulding on the lower section.

On the side, the huge wheel arches stand out, also with black mouldings for contrast that help disguise their large dimensions -just over 5 metres long (5,004 mm)-. That said, despite its size, the flowing lines create an elegant profile.

At the rear, the lines are once again elegant, sweeping down from the pillar to the lights. The sporty touch comes from the twin exhaust outlets that signal a powerful engine, and the 4×4 touch from the lower part of the bumper in a contrasting colour.

Interior design

The interior features avant-garde lines, designed on several levels and maintaining a well-judged sense of restraint with the absence of buttons on much of the centre console (quite the opposite of the previous generation). The overall quality is good, with pleasant-to-the-touch plastics on almost the entire dashboard, except for some lower areas with hard plastic that shouldn’t be found in a car at this level.

The simple yet practical touch is also present in the semi-digital instrument cluster, which is comprehensive in terms of information. The centre section is digital and the side sections analogue, creating an eye-catching contrast. The central display shows all kinds of information about the vehicle, the navigation system or the multimedia unit.

One of the highlights of this Opel Insignia (and previously of its smaller sibling in the range, the Astra) are the seats with AGR certification, which fit our body almost perfectly and create a very comfortable driving position. The perforated leather seats offer ventilation and heating, as well as electric adjustment and a massage function. They are firmly cushioned yet very comfortable over long distances. The lateral support is adequate, and although the massage function isn’t very sophisticated, it does provide slight relief for the back after several kilometres at the wheel.

The rear seats are those of an official car: the space for both feet and head is enormous. It features USB ports for charging our devices, rear air vents and even heated seats. For comfort and space, we would notice no difference compared with a large German executive saloon.

Finally, the panoramic sunroof lets plenty of light into the interior. In terms of storage, the Insignia has a generous main glovebox, a compartment in front of the gear lever, another behind it, and a large central bin with a spot for a mobile phone. The boot has a capacity of 560 litres, with an electric tailgate that projects an image onto the ground in case you want to open it with your foot.

Engine and performance

One of the best diesel engines Opel has had in its range is this Biturbo unit, which is now completely renewed but keeps its punch intact. This engine, built at the Opel plant in Kaiserslautern, stands out for its performance while meeting the strict European emissions regulations (thanks to the use of AdBlue).

This twin-turbo engine with sequential operation delivers 480 Nm of torque from just over 1,500 rpm and pushes relentlessly up to beyond 4,500 rpm, offering a usable range that very few conventional two-litre diesels can match. It isn’t notable for smoothness -although considerable work has been done on sound insulation- but it is for performance. Its 210 CV and forceful torque are clearly felt, resulting in an immediate response from low revs that becomes even more characterful once we reach 3,000 rpm.

The gearbox responsible for transmitting all that power is an eight-speed automatic, which works well. It is quite smooth when changing gears and fast enough in sport mode, with the paddle shifters allowing for a more agile and sporty response. Finally, the powerful brakes stand out, capable of stopping the Insignia without problems and forcefully, regardless of its weight of nearly 1,800 kg.

Handling: comfortable but with character

On motorways or dual carriageways, this Insignia Country Tourer is very comfortable, with stability and a high level of ride quality. If we select “Tour” mode , the smoothness is heightened and we won’t feel fatigued on long journeys, regardless of the condition of the road (the suspension absorbs road irregularities outstandingly in this “Tour” mode).

In Sport mode, it changes completely, especially the suspension, which keeps the whole body under control regardless of the type of road we are driving on, with outstanding cornering. To such an extent that there are smaller cars with worse cornering; here, the all-wheel drive plays an important role.

Fuel consumption

On our usual route along the motorway

between Madrid > Vigo > Madrid, average consumption was

7 litres per 100 km, while on country roads the average figure rises to 7.5 litres per 100 km (although it is possible to reduce it by a few tenths with more careful driving).

In town, its size and weight take their toll, and on our usual test in Vigo, average consumption was 9.5 litres per 100 km.

Equipment: an arsenal of safety and technology

But optionally, other highly recommended systems can also be added, such as the Intellilux LED Matrix front headlights

, which combine all lighting functions and adapt to all driving conditions, keeping the light beam perfect so as not to dazzle other vehicles while illuminating as much as possible (Opel has always stood out for lighting quality; even the directional bi-xenon lights of the previous-generation Insignia were outstanding).

And among other options not limited to safety, the multimedia system stands out: as standard it comes with a 7-speaker sound system, but optionally you can fit the BOSE system, which offers outstanding sound.

And something that used to be standard but is now optional since the acquisition by PSA is the Opel OnStar, an equipment package I strongly recommend for those who drive many kilometres, as it is a very useful tool. In addition to emergency assistance (which is standard), thanks to OnStar we have an operator who can send directions to our navigation system, find a hotel or a car park in the city centre as indicated, all with the press of a button. It also features a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot supporting up to 7 devices simultaneously (with international coverage operated by Vodafone).

Personal opinion and price of the Opel Insignia Country Tourer

The starting price of the Opel Insignia Country Tourer is

36,717 euros

, while our test unit slightly exceeded 40,000 euros including extras. At that starting price it has no known rival, because the premium-brand competitors cost far more, and this German car has little to envy from premium brands in terms of finish, technology or interior space.

Even regarding all-wheel drive, for those who want a dynamic vehicle they can also take skiing, this Insignia Country Tourer is a good alternative. I was pleasantly surprised by the interior space and the engine’s performance, which also stands out for its spaciousness.

If you are looking for a family saloon with all-wheel drive, but premium models slightly exceed your budget, this one offers an alternative that satisfies the vast majority of your needs and currently has no rival among mainstream brands.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira