Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer review

Introduction

The Vauxhall Astra is into its eighth generation now and has been improving with every new version.

The new hatchback, launched earlier this year, has been well received, too – and now it's the estate's turn.

Like its smaller sibling, the new Astra Sports Tourer is based on the Stellantis EMP2 platform, meaning the Astra shares much of its DNA with the Peugeot 308, but that’s no bad thing these days.

The car is also the latest to feature Vauxhall’s new design language, along with its signature, the Vizor – a black panel that runs along the front of all its new cars.

At A Glance

With that new appearance, decorated with a silver surround, the bulbous predecessor is no more. The Astra gets straighter lines now, plus a more chiselled appearance to the front end, including a sizeable lower grille and air intakes that look like arrows pointing inwards.

If you head to the sides, they feature sporty creases at the top and bottom of the doors, especially at the bottom. There is also a ridge, which helps the side skirts stand out.

Around the back, there’s an indentation in the boot and protruding bumpers, while thinned taillights complete a far more athletic appearance.

The trim we're looking at also incorporates a blackened roof and window pillars. These make a bold statement, contrasting against the Astra’s primary body colour.

The aggressive appearance is dialled back a notch at entry-level, but even then the Astra looks more attractive and muscular than its predecessor.

As if all the changes weren’t enough, Vauxhall has unveiled its first-ever electrified version of an estate car in the form of a plug-in hybrid.

Key Features

Like the hatchback, the Sports Tourer is offered in three trims as part of Vauxhall’s plans to simplify its range.

The entry-level Design trim features 16-inch alloys, climate control, a Pure Panel infotainment system with SatNav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You also get parking sensors, cruise control with an intelligent speed limiter, and lane departure warning with lane keep assist.

The GS Line adds the sportier bodywork, 17-inch alloys, heated front seats, dark-tinted side and rear windows, a black roof and pillars, sports seats, keyless entry/start, alloy sports pedals and an Intelli-Vision 360-degree camera.

The top Ultimate trim features 18-inch wheels, dual-zone climate control, a head-up display, wireless phone charger and a heated windscreen.

The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), called Hybrid-e, has a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. This power unit works in tandem with an 81kW electric motor, making a combined 180PS, along with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

The entire range is front-wheel drive only.

For those not wanting or needing a hybrid, there are turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol producing 110 and 130PS with a six-speed manual. There is also a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel delivering 130PS with the eight-speed automatic.

The Ultimate grade won’t be available on the Sports Tourer until the Autumn, while the plug-in hybrid isn’t offered in Design trim.

As a result, we’re test driving the GS Line, although that’s the pick of the bunch anyway.

Range & Batteries

The Astra Sports Tourer Hybrid-e comes with a 12.4kWh battery. Not sure what that translates to? Take a look at our guide explaining kWh.

Vauxhall claims this is good enough to achieve 42 miles of all-electric driving, and it can do up to 84mph without the engine being required, too.

Expect the real-life range figures to be a bit less than that, however. Why? Well, the figure will depend on things like temperature, road conditions and your driving style.

Don’t expect to get anywhere near it if you’re doing 84mph the whole time, either… but of course, you wouldn’t do that.

Performance & Drive

Thanks to the excellent levels of torque from the Astra’s electric motor, the initial acceleration off the line is brisk. It doesn’t generate the same shove-you-back-into-your-seats momentum as a fully electric car, but it pulls well from a standing start.

It is also quicker than the fossil-fuelled alternatives in the range, getting from nought to 62mph in 7.7-seconds (the petrol and diesel take 10 and 11-seconds, respectively).

The hybrid is quiet, well refined and smooth, but a good deal of performance is available when needed. The petrol engine cuts in and out without a glitch in hybrid mode, and it’s barely noticeable when on the move - unless you’re flooring it.

The lack of noise is helped by the Astra’s soundproofing, which helps minimise road and wind noise, too. Despite its sporty looks, quietness and relaxation appear to be strong points.

However, regardless of the stylish aesthetics, the Sports Tourer Hybrid-e isn’t incredibly athletic. While the hatchback has impressed many, and this new estate version isn’t bad either, you'll soon discover that it's not set up for taking corners at speed if you throw it into a bend.

In fairness, no estate car is, though. And in the Astra hybrid's case, it isn't helped by the extra weight of the electric motor and the batteries. But the ride quality is still reasonably good, if a little bit firm, because of the sportier setup in the GS Line.

Our test car also includes optional 18-inch wheels – the standard wheels, which are smaller at 17-inches, will no doubt improve the ride comfort.

The steering is reasonably direct, but it's not responsive enough for those who want to enjoy a car's handling. The hatchback's steering isn't any different, but it feels more at home in the bends and will be a better fit for keener drivers.

At higher speeds on motorways, the Sports Tourer is in its element, becoming more of a comfortable cruiser.

Nevertheless, although it’s not geared up to be a performance car, the Sports Tourer is still enthusiastic and feels good to drive. Admittedly, it lacks that extra spice you need to justify the “Sports” tag, but it’s not a bad effort.

Regenerative braking is included and is reasonably consistent, slowing the car down when you take your foot off the accelerator to put some charge back into the batteries.

It won’t, however, slow you to a stop, so you’ll still need your foot at the ready for the brake pedal.

Charging

The 12.4kWh battery can be charged up at a speed of 7kW. That means a full charge can be achieved in under two hours.

High-speed charging isn't available. But with a battery so small, it should mean a quick top-up for about 20 minutes or so while you pop into the supermarket might be sufficient to get you home. If home charging is a problem for you, take a look through our guide on what to do when you can't charge at home.

If it doesn't, the engine will continue the job on its own, of course.

Running Costs & Emissions

The Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer claims it’ll do 256mpg, a high figure typical of plug-in hybrids.

Achieving anywhere near this mpg very much depends on keeping the battery charged up, though. Otherwise, you can expect more comparable figures with the petrol range.

Emissions are as low as the miles-per-gallon figure is high, at just 25g/km of CO2, making it an attractive proposition for company vehicle users due to the savings in benefit-in-kind tax.

Vauxhall has a good reputation regarding reliability, but it isn’t the best in the world. But, just to give you a steer on the manufacturer’s faith in its newest model, the Astra Sports Tourer gets a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty. What’s more, the hybrid gets a separate eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty for the battery.

Interior & Technology

Inside, the Astra Sports Tourer looks like a lovely place to be.

It is stylish, with heaps of glossy piano black surfaces, especially on the centre console and steering wheel. There are also silver touches to break up the dark colour of the interior.

The seats in our test car also look sporty and have three different shades of grey at the front. Meanwhile, there are angled lines and a sculpted dashboard which houses the 10-inch infotainment screen.

It sits in one curved unit next to the digital instrument display, which is also a 10-inch screen. This means the infotainment system is positioned in the middle of the dashboard, but facing the driver.

It looks the part. The system is straightforward and intuitive, with well-laid-out menus, while the screen is clear and responsive.

Thankfully, Vauxhall has resisted the temptation to entomb all the buttons and switches in the touchscreen. As a result, there are several switches directly beneath it in easy reach of the driver that operate things like the air conditioning.

The layout, in terms of its shape, design and colour scheme, gives the interior a premium feel far beyond expectations when leasing a Vauxhall.

Admittedly, although some of the materials feel reasonably high quality, there are too many hardened plastics for our liking, though, which cheapen the feel in some places.

Practicality & Boot Space

Finding a good driving position in the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer is easy enough, thanks to the 16-way electrically adjustable front seats.

They are very comfortable and ergonomic, too, being certified by AGR, a German organisation whose name translates as the ‘Campaign for Healthy Backs’. This accreditation applies to both the standard and sports seats.

Adjustable lumbar support is a nice touch, while choosing the Nappa leather trim will get you ventilated massage seats for the driver and front passenger. The driver’s seat gets a memory function as standard, too.

In the front, it’s spacious enough with plenty of headroom, while only a very tall driver and tall rear-seat passenger will pose an issue.

The front pillars are kept relatively thin, so visibility out of the windscreen isn't significantly compromised. However, the ones at the back are considerably thicker and will limit your view slightly.

Overall, though, the cabin feels pleasant and roomy.

Boot space measures at 516-litres, compared with 597 litres in the non-PHEV versions, while the batteries in the hybrid mean you don’t get the adjustable boot floor featured in the petrol and diesel versions.

Cargo capacity expands to 1,553 litres with the rear seats down, which fold away in a more versatile 40:20:40 split – a welcome change from most cars that only divide 60:40.

Furthermore, the seats can be collapsed by pulling a couple of easy to reach handles in the boot.

Safety

The new Vauxhall Astra hatchback was put through its paces earlier this year by crash-testing body Euro NCAP.

It scored a four-star rating, which isn't bad, although Vauxhall will no doubt be disappointed that it couldn't get the full five stars.

It scored 80 per cent for adult occupants, 82 per cent for children, 67 per cent for vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians, and 66 per cent for safety assists.

The Astra Sports Tourer is likely to be in the same safety bracket, although our understanding is that the hatchback rating is not officially valid for the estate version.

Nevertheless, the Sports Tourer comes with plenty of safety equipment as standard.

All models get parking sensors, cruise control, lane keeping assist, front collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot detection, speed sign recognition and pedestrian detection.

The GS Line and above also get a 360-degree parking camera, advanced traffic sign recognition, and active steering assist to help keep the vehicle in lane around bends on motorways. You also get adaptive cruise control, which will speed up and slow down depending on the traffic conditions, bringing you to a stop and setting off again if necessary.

All models also get IntelliLux LED Pixel Lights, which feature 84 LED elements in each of its headlights. This means it lights the road exceptionally well at night and automatically turns off diodes to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic when the main beam is on.

Options

There are numerous options you can choose to customise your new Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer.

Seventeen-inch wheels come as standard in the GS Line, but you can upgrade to 18-inch diamond cut alloys instead for a few hundred poubds, with a choice of silver or black rims.

The GS Line and Ultimate grades come with a black roof and window pillars, but you can opt for the body colour instead at no extra cost.

Spare wheel provision (but not the spare wheel itself) costs a nominal amount, while a tow bar can be fitted for a few hundred quid.

All body colours are yet to be finalised, but shades such as bright metallic blue are an option on the hatchback.

The hatchback is also available in metallic colours of yellow or crimson red. Or you can choose dark grey, black or silver, while solid white is provided at no charge.

Rival Cars

If you’re looking at an estate car but aren’t sure about the Vauxhall, the obvious alternatives are the Volkswagen Golf Estate, the Renault Megane Sport Tourer and the Ford Focus Wagon.

The Golf and the Focus are arguably more refined and have constantly been there to spoil Vauxhall’s party over the years.

The Megane is only offered as a plug-in hybrid, but it’s not as good to drive, and the interior is a big disappointment – even more so once you see the Astra’s.

Kia offers the Ceed Sportwagon, which is worth looking at, while the Peugeot 308 Sport Wagon sits on the same platform as the Astra.

The Skoda Octavia Estate and SEAT Leon Estate are also worth considering.

Most of the above are available as plug-in hybrids. Want to know more about PHEVs? We've got a guide with everything you need to know about plug-in hybrid vehicles

Verdict & Next Steps

Overall, the new Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer is a solid contender.

It is comfortable, relaxing and quiet, and the interior looks superb, achieving a level Vauxhall hasn't punched at before. Plus, it comes loaded with safety equipment.

The boot space should be sufficient for anyone, although the lack of an adjustable boot floor in the hybrid is disappointing.

While it’s undoubtedly a significant improvement on its predecessor, Vauxhall has tried to make it more driver-focused – and it’s only partially succeeded.

Indeed, if you're a keen driver and want an estate car, the Astra Sports Tourer should be high on your list, but the agility isn't much to write about, especially in the hybrid version.

Nevertheless, it’s the most upmarket Vauxhall to date, and it'll enjoy being a thorn in the side of Volkswagen and Ford, even if it can't quite match their overall refinement.

The GS Line trim is the one to go for. Unfortunately, the entry-level Design trim isn't available on the hybrid, while the Ultimate grade, which will be available from the Autumn, doesn't add anything you desperately need.

However, if you’re looking at the tax savings, it may interest you to know that there’s also going to be an all-electric version on the way next year – and there are very few electric estate cars at the moment.

It is harsh to say the Astra Sports Tourer is a jack of all trades and a master of none, but it doesn't offer anything that makes it stand out from the crowd.

Nevertheless, what it does do, it does very well indeed.

Where to next?

View our latest Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Leasing Deals  - from just £305.92 per month inc VAT**

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*Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top five leading independent car website reviews of the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer

**Correct as of 12/09/2022. Based on 9 months initial payment, 5,000 miles over a 48 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 9 monthly payments or £2,753.28 Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.