The Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport is so new that What Car?‘s Target Price team has yet to shop for one but, even without a discount, the list price of just £22,580 is good value. That’s reinforced when you consider that the Tech Line Nav version is a mid-range car, not an entry-level model.
This wouldn’t count for much if the new Vauxhall didn’t tow well but, for the most part, the Insignia Grand Sport makes a fine tow car. The engine has 168bhp and 295lb ft of torque, plenty for towing a prudently matched tourer.
The rate of acceleration drops off a little at the top of the rev range, but there’s so much pulling power low down and in the mid-range that it hardly matters – we can’t see many drivers being disappointed with the brisk 10.8-second 30-60mph time.
The Vauxhall stops well, too, needing just 10.9m to come to a halt from 30mph. The Insignia pulled up straight and true, without any bumping and barging from the caravan.
Stability at speed is respectable, although there were some slight movements in still air at 70mph, and at 60mph when it was windy.
Without a caravan, the Insignia Grand Sport drives well enough, but it’s hard to find one area in which the Vauxhall stands out against cars of the calibre of the Ford Mondeo, Skoda Superb and Volkswagen Passat.
It corners neatly enough without feeling particularly agile or engaging. The ride is mostly comfortable, but can be caught out by sudden obstacles and rough surfaces.
Inside, the cabin feels well made and there’s plenty of legroom front and rear. However, the sloping roofline does eat into rear headroom.
Our practicality judges were impressed by the reversing camera, and the boot was big enough for all our holiday luggage.