The rivals

• Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi Elite Nav
• Mazda6 2.2 D 150 Sport Nav
• Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI Executive Style

P11D price

Insignia     £24,169
Passat      £24,600
508           £25,840
Mazda6    £25,840

Tax and CO2

Insignia    98g/km/14%
Mazda6   104g/km/15%
508         109g/km/16%
Passat    119g/km/18%
 

Fuel costs

Insignia    8.16ppm/£6,528
Mazda6   9.26ppm/£7,408
508          9.26ppm/£7,408
Passat    10.14ppm/£8,112

Depreciation

Insignia    22.61ppm/£18,088
Passat     22.77ppm/£18,216
Mazda6   24.5ppm/£19,600
508          27.08ppm/£21,664

Maintenance

Passat      3.76ppm/£3,008
Insignia    3.84ppm/£3,072
Mazda6    6ppm/£4,800
508          6.01ppm/£4,808
 

Running costs

Insignia    34.61ppm/£27,688
Passat     36.67ppm/£29,336
Mazda6   39.75ppm/£31,800
508          42.34ppm/£33,872

Leasing rates

Insignia    £356 (Maxxia)
Passat     £360 (Hitachi)
508          £376 (Hitachi)
Mazda6   £387 (Maxxia)

Verdict

Nice though the 508 is and as capable of doing its job, it falls down on running costs against key rivals, with depreciation and SMR that cannot be offset by its modest fuel costs. In this respect, the latest Insignia would seem to be where the smart money is spent.

Winner: Vauxhall Insignia