New 2022 Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer priced from £25,005
Vauxhall has unveiled an estate version of the new Astra, which has a 1,634-litre boot and the option of a plug-in hybrid powertrain
This is the new Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer. It’s set to follow the hatchback into the showrooms during summer this year, where it’ll rival the likes of the Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Golf estates. Prices will start from £25,005.
Buyers have a choice of two specifications, called Design and GS-Line. The entry-level model comes as standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors and keyless go, along with a host of driver assistance technology that includes lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking and a driver drowsiness alert system.
Inside, the Astra Sports Tourer all models feature Vauxhall’s latest Pure Panel infotainment system, which comprises a 10-inch infotainment screen in the centre of the dashboard and a 10-inch digital instrument cluster ahead of the driver. Other features on the entry-level Design trim level include climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a natural voice recognition system.
The more expensive GS-Line variant has a starting price of £27,900. Upgrades over the base-model include 17-inch alloy wheels, a contrasting black roof, rear privacy glass and electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors with built-in puddle lights.
Safety equipment gets a boost, too, with active cruise control, traffic sign recognition and a 360-degree parking camera now all standard equipment. Inside, buyers also get dual-zone climate control, a heated leather steering wheel, heated seats and a pair of AGR-approved ergonomic sports seats up front.
Engine options
The Sport Tourer’s engine range is lifted from the standard Astra hatchback, giving drivers a choice of two petrols, one diesel and a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The range opens with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, which can be had with either 108bhp or 128bhp.
Above that, there’s a 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel, also with 128bhp. Both the diesel and the most powerful petrol can be specified with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic, with the latter option adding £1,500 to the estate’s sticker price.
At the top of the line-up (and only available with the GS-Line trim), there’s a plug-in hybrid powertrain which comprises a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, a 12.4kWh battery pack and an electric motor. Combined, the system produces 178bhp – and Vauxhall says the powertrain can deliver a maximum electric range of 42 miles.
The Astra Sports Tourer features the same design language seen on the Astra hatchback, which includes the firm’s trademark Vizor front end. The new grille incorporates sensors for the driver and safety aids, and LED headlights as part of the brand’s bold new look.
The Sports Tourer’s main selling point over the Astra hatchback is the amount of extra storage room. There’s 608 litres of usable space with the rear seats upright and up to 1,634 litres with them folded. However, opting for the plug-in hybrid variant will sacrifice some of that storage to make room for the battery mounted under the floor, offering 548 litres of storage with the seats upright and 1,574 litres.
For those sticking with traditional petrol and diesel powertrains, Vauxhall offers an “Intelli-Space” option, which adds a moveable boot floor that can be adjusted to high and low positions, and even tilted at a 45-degree angle to help secure awkward loads. The retractable boot cover can also be stowed away for maximum storage space.
What does the new Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer have to beat? Click here for our list of the best estate cars on sale right now...