Opel Insignia CDTI Sedan (2013)

There are the Insignia (base model) and Insignia Select, available in each body shape, along with 2.0-litre turbo-petrol or 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

With its 118kW of power, 350Nm of torque and costing $39,990, our CDTi (turbo-diesel) sedan test car shapes up well against other mid-sized Euros bearing similar power/drive trains. In typical, contemporary turbo-diesel fashion, the Insignia pulls strongly and, at the same time, delivers impressive economy.

Although our average of 7.4-litres/100 km was 1.7 outside the ADR combined figure, this was as a result of mostly stop/start city driving.

The ride – on $500 optional 18” alloys with 245/45 R18 tyres instead of the standard 225/55 R17 – is firm, but not as much as some European models, and the Opel delivers its occupants neither shaken nor stirred.

While the interior falls short of class-leading, there are no major shortcomings ergonomically or comfort wise, with plenty of manual adjustment to the front seats (six-way for the driver, two-way for passenger). Rear seat passengers are also well catered for, with the rear bench nicely-sculpted and padded, and good leg room.