New Vauxhall Insignia SUV on the way ~ station of gear

Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer 2.0 CDTi BiTurbo rear

Ford Edge-rivalling Vauxhall Insignia-based SUV on sale in 2018 to replace the old Antara

2016-03-02 11:50

Vauxhall is planning a flagship SUV as part of its new 'X' range of cars, launched at the Geneva Motor Show 2016 with the Mokka X crossover.

Opel boss Karl-Thomas Neumann said: "One of our major weaknesses is that we don't have a great SUV portfolio. We have one SUV, the Mokka, and it's very successful, so we want more."

The next Meriva and Zafira will offer SUV styling but with clear a focus on space – true to their MPV roots. Neumann refers to these as compact utility vehicles, rather than pure SUVs.

• Geneva Motor Show 2016

Neumann added: "Then we will also do another SUV, which is our Insignia-based flagship SUV. So in a few years we will have a much better portfolio."

We expect the SUV to go on sale before the end of the decade, with the Opel boss hinting that it could even appear before 2018. However, Vauxhall will need to launch the new Insignia hatchback and more practical Sports Tourer estate, before any SUV plans can be realised.

The flagship SUV will be based on the same platform as the new those cars, which will bring with it a much more stylish design than models like the now defunct Antara SUV. Although Vauxhall boss Rory Harvey tells us that the brand is not interested in chasing Ford's high-spec Vignale brand, the Luton-based car maker will be hoping the updated Insignia can tempt some premium car buyers away from the wide variety of German company car choices.

The SUV will follow suit, and as a flagship car we're likely to see some dramatic styling and a suitably plush interior, which will help the car take on Ford's large Edge SUV.

What do you think of a large Vauxhall SUV? Let us know in the comments below…

Sam Naylor

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