SECTOR: Upper-medium   PRICE: €26,795–€37,000   FUEL: 5.6–8.1 l/100km   CO2: 147–199g/km

Opel has joined a growing number of manufacturers offering a lifestyle 4×4 estate car alongside its SUVs. It’s a sector that Audi’s Allroad and the Volvo XC70 have dominated for some time, but one that Opel sees adding to the appeal of its Insignia range.

The Insignia Country Tourer has all the usual 4×4 styling cues, riding 20mm higher than the standard car, with black ‘self healing’ side mouldings emphasising its ability to tackle rough tracks and grassy fields.

The car is offered with a choice of single and twin-turbo 2.0-litre diesel engines, delivering 163hp and 195hp respectively, or with a 2.0-litre ECOTEC turbocharged petrol engine with 250hp. All three can be ordered with a six-speed automatic transmission, then the petrol engine and the lower-powered diesel is offered with a six-speed manual gearbox that comes with Start/Stop technology.

Fuel consumption ranges from 5.6l/100km in the 2.0 CDTI manual, to 8.5l/100km for the petrol auto. Similarly emissions span 147g/km of CO2 for the diesel manual, to 199g/km for the petrol auto.

The electronically controlled adaptive 4×4 drivetrain has a Haldex clutch and an electronic limited slip differential to maintain traction. In the default setting and in Touring mode, 95% of torque is transmitted to the front wheels, though up to 100% can be sent to the front or rear when required. In Sport mode the split is 70% front and 30% rear, rising to 40% front and 60% rear depending on driving conditions and speed.

Equipment levels are high, with bi-xenon headlights and LED daytime lights, front and rear parking sensors, 18-inch bi-colour wheels, a powered tailgate, privacy glass and a new centre console with an 8-inch touchscreen. Buyers can chose between the IntelliLink R700 infotainment system or the IntelliLink Navi 900, both of which will be able to download additional applications from the GM App Store when it goes live in March 2014.

It’s a big car, with up to 1,530 litres of luggage capacity when the rear seats are folded away. Even with the rear seats in place the car has 540 litres of load lugging ability.

Cars with automatic transmission have a 2,000kg towing capacity, which rises to 2,100kg with the manual gearbox. If a towing hitch is fitted the vehicle can also be supplied with Opel’s electronic Trailer Stability Assist system, which uses the ESP system to prevent instability when towing.

Though riding slightly higher than a standard Insignia, the Country Tourer loses little in ride comfort or handling, providing a reasonably firm ride with good body control through the corners. The FlexRide chassis has three suspension settings, Sport, Standard and Tour, which are optimised for handling or for cruising comfort. In the Standard setting the suspension automatically changes to the way the car is being driven in reaction to driver input.

The Country Tourer is considerably less expensive than similarly equipped cars from Audi and Volvo, yet offers increased carrying capacity. Opel isn’t expecting huge numbers, but the Country Tourer should easily account for 5% of Insignia sales.

What We Think

If you want all-wheel drive, but don’t want the high riding stance, or in many cases the limited load capacity of a conventional SUV, try the Country Tourer.