WHEN it was introduced as a replacement for the Vectra a few years ago, the Vauxhall Insignia's styling impressed with its dynamic striking lines and sleek profile, even if it did somewhat compromise practicality.

It became one of the most stylish of the so-called repmobiles.

The latest model is still a real head-turner with those same sleek lines, chrome elements on the grille and headlamps with daytime LEDS and low-mounted fog lights.

However with tourer styling these days often matching or bettering the saloon or hatchback versions, it becomes a bit of a trade-off, style against practicality.

That practicality is apparent with a wide boot opening and low lip making loading easy for people of all statures, while the folding and tumbling seats give extra practicality.

This is just as well as the stowage area is by no means the largest in its class, but still large and well-shaped enough to tackle most requirements.

The tourer is a well built and comfortable family estate car with a dash of panache. It is also priced keenly making it attractive to both private and business user, with both benefiting from upgraded engines and high levels of standard equipment.

The two-litre ecoFLEX diesel driven here peforms admirably with excellent fuel economy, a claimed 72-odd mpg, and low carbon dioxide emissions - even if it is slightly noisy.

Add a 70-litre fuel tank and the car has a huge range with real time mpg easily in the mid-50s mpg, which is a massive boost for high-mileage drivers.

It looks good from the outside and the interior has a decent quality feel if not quite up to some (more expensive) German rivals. However the soft-touch finish to dash and doors still feels decent and the instrumentation layout, with its eight-inch screen and binnacle feel less cluttered than before.

All dials and switches are loigically placed and easy to use.

This model also features a touchpad next to the gearstick which also controls functions including the infotainment system, but I found this almost too sensitive with the cursor jumping all over the place and a real distraction when driving. Using the touch screen was easier.

Apart from the usual electric aids, other excellent features include, anti-dazzle rear view mirror, automatic lights and wipers, cruise control and climate control.

The seats are all firm and comfortable and the driver's electrically height adjustable with four -way lumbar adjustment, while headroom is decent despite the coupé styling, although his does slightly compromise all round vision.

Clearly this kind of car has the fleet market very much in its sights and is an excellent motorway vehicle. Comfortable and well insulated, it cruises with ease, while the flexible, torquey engine mean overtaking, particular at speeds from 50mph is completed with minimum of fuss.

The ride is comfortable with the suspension soaking up all but the worst of the potholes, while the car handles well with positive direct steering.

Economy and emissions from such a big car are impressive as are insurance costs.

Safety kit is comprehensive and includes six airbags and stability programme.