Vauxhall Insignia dominates the medium sized fleet market and you can understand why.
There are over 50 models in the UK range from just under £18,000 to almost £31,270 and we tested the fleet popular version with low emissions and 11% tax rising to 12% in the 2014/ 15 financial year.
The four-cylinder diesel engine is an immediate starter, it pulls eagerly and strongly and combined with the long-legged six speed manual gearbox it delivers both spirited acceleration for safely overtaking as well as a satisfying economy of over 51mpg on test.
It is both quiet and composed and even when pressed to perform the note rises but it is not intrusive or annoying. You get an indication of the higher economy gearing if you run it in top at about 40mph when you feel it slightly labouring but a quick downchange shrugs this off and its ready to go again.
Over 500 miles of mixed roads we were very impressed at the way it coped with them, all surfaces and traffic conditions, holding enough in reserve for passing on the tight and twisting A470 through Snowdonia, but also settling into a mile-munching motor car for its role as a business car on the M4.
The light clutch and short-throw direct six-speed gearbox were faultless, while the tight turning circle and feedback through the steering inspired confidence as much as the extremely well balanced and powerful disc brakes which need only modest effort to bring about rapid deceleration.
Handling was surefooted and responsive with good roadholding.
Secondary controls pull a lot onto the wheels spokes and the twin column stalks, leaving the central console to carry the heating and ventilation as well as comprehensive info-tainment centres.
However, we did find the navigation did not recognise everything entered and it was not as straightforward to use as it might have been.
Climate control had a wide spread, was straightforward and kept it well maintained throughout with rapid clearance of glass and warm-up. Backing this were four electric windows.
Oddments space was good for a medium sized car with bins and recesses throughout and the massive boot was easy to load from the back or over the rear wings as well as from inside the car if you dropped one or both sides of the offset split back seats. Capacity went up from 530 to 1470 litres.
Access for driver and passengers was good with wide opening doors, large apertures and a lot of room inside, notably in the back. The seats were very cosy and supporting and the front pair had a very wide range of adjustment.
Ride quality was surprisingly supple for a car of this type, where you usually get a firm to hard suspension to cope with its perceived business use. The Vauxhall Insignia was comfortable over all surfaces and roads and it had little body roll or pitching either.
Visibility was slightly restricted through the back window, and the parking sensors came into their own when reversing, but the side and forward sight lines were very good, the interior and exterior mirrors were clear.
Wipers and wash system worked well to keep the glass clear and the headlights were wide spread beams but I would have been happier if they were longer range on rural unlit roads.
All noise levels were very low. The engine was smooth and quiet, the road rumbles muted and there was just a trace of wind passing around the big mirrors, but overall it was a quiet car.
The Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi was an unchallenging car to drive, a capable all rounder which covered the miles easily and economically with a lot of comfort for those inside.
So, its easy to see why this stylish hatchback has done so well. It does nothing badly but a lot very well.
FACT FILE
Vauxhall Insignia SRi 2.0CDTi 140ecoFLEX start/stop
Price: 20,799
Insurance group: 19
Mechanical: 4cyl 2.0 140ps turbo-diesel, 6sp manual
Max speed: 127mph
0-62mph: 10.5sec
Combined mpg: 51mpg on test (76.3mpg claimed)
CO2 emissions: 98gkm
BIK rating: VED band A/ 11%
Warranty: 100,000 miles