The recently-launched estate, er, Tourer, version of Vauxhall’s Insignia is as impressive a machine as its hatchback sister.

Big, roomy and undoubtedly Vauxhall’s most stylish estate to date, it bears more of a similarity to the opposition, particularly erring towards the premium sector, than the hatchback does to its rivals. Think Audi, Honda and Toyota.

Pulling up behind a newish Vectra estate highlighted the world of difference between the new and the old.

Even from a purely aesthetic viewpoint, the Insignia is an immediate winner. And first impressions on climbing in were of a quality product that’s been well put together.

As you’d expect from Vauxhall, there are a huge number of variants so it was useful to drive three different models with three different engines.

The Insignia’s three petrol and two diesel engines are carried across to the Tourer range with the addition of a sprightly new 1.6-litre turbo petrol unit developing 180ps at 5,500rpm.

I tried the SRi version, which adds a sporty feel to the range by lowering the chassis 15mm, stiffening up the dampers and adding goodies like a smart black and silver interior, sports seats, alloy pedals, and a leather wheel.

Outside, there are 17-inch alloys wearing low-profile rubber (18s are a no-cost option) and front fog lights.

The cabin is a pleasant environment indeed – long distances should prove a relaxing affair – and there is much adjustment available to ensure a comfortable driving position for most people.

I didn’t particularly like the dark colour of the ‘piano black’ and ‘charcoal’ interior finish, but accept that most people do. The exterior’s ‘pomegranate red’ was nice though.

All the petrol models except the 1.8 Ecotec are fitted as standard with Vauxhall’s Flexride adaptive stability technology which allows the driver to choose Touring or Sport as well as Standard damper settings.

Unusually, I found the settings were noticeably different and the Sport mode did as good a job of suggesting a bit of B-road fun as the Comfort mode did for long-distance cruising. In Sport mode the throttle response is remapped, the steering sharpened and the damper settings tweaked, creating an entertaining drive, with taut handling, good grip and well-controlled body roll. You can throw the car around in a manner that defies its estate status.

The rear window is small and the B and C pillars reduce visibility markedly, which is not helped by the odd-shaped door mirrors. A big estate like this should have bigger ones.

The steering is well weighted and the brakes too, although a bit on the harsh side. Engine, road and wind noise are all reasonably well controlled, but I though there was too much turbo lag unless the engine revs were kept in boost range.

Motorway driving was a doddle with the car very relaxed and showing 2,800rpm at 80mph in the long sixth gear – good for a petrol car. Fuel consumption is 35.8mpg.

The two-litre petrol version I tried carried the Elite Nav spec level. The interior was of a cream leather finish and a very nice ambience and premium environment it created too.

There was a palpable luxury feel about the car and the ride settings were a little softer too, perhaps to make up for the larger 18-inch wheels. It worked well as a big tourer and the added zest of the 220ps engine produced some very enjoyable B-road driving.

Top speed is 147mph with a 0-60mph time of 7.5 seconds and there’s also plenty of in-gear acceleration as long as you’re in the boost zone. Good stuff. Fuel consumption is 31.2mpg combined.

Of course, with fleet sales dominant, the diesels will be the biggest sellers and the 130ps, two-litre model with SE trim is expected to be the top seller specifically.

And it’s a fine machine. I drove the higher-powered 160ps version, but there’s not a great deal to separate them. They return, surprisingly, identical fuel consumptions and emissions at 47.1mpg combined, with 159g/km, though the 160ps will hit 60mph 1.6 seconds quicker at 9.3 seconds.

It’s a fine distance machine with well-judged standard suspension settings and most people will be comfortable for high mileages.

The diesel engine is noticeable for a short time after starting up, and then settles down quietly. At cruising speeds I thought, if anything, it was quieter than the petrol models, helped by 80mph costing just 2,200rpm.

The diesel also seemed endowed with less turbo lag.

Stowage-wise there are plenty of useful trays and closed cubby-holes and the boot provides a hefty 540 litres, increasing to 1,530 litres.

The Insignia Tourer is well thought out and Vauxhall has taken care to include some sensible touches, such as a 12V socket in the boot, a programmable tailgate opening height to prevent damage in low-roofed garages and secondary tail lights which are exposed when the tailgate is lifted.

All models benefit from direct steering and plethora of standard gear and safety equipment. This, briefly, includes height and lumbar-adjusted front seats, reach and rake-adjustable wheel, electric mirrors, automatic lights, cruise control, electric driver’s seat height, air-con and a seven-speaker stereo.

There are plenty of airbags, Isofix points and ESP, making even the entry-level models very well-equipped.

Move up the spec range and the world’s your oyster.

The Insignia is a good car and Vauxhall will do well with it. If you’re in the market for a large estate, sorry Tourer, for work or play, you will too.

Prices range from £17,865 to £25,795.