Vauxhall Astra Electric review

It’s an Astra. And specifically, the Astra Electric. There aren’t many more recognisable names in the heartland of British motoring these days, and there’ll be even fewer when Ford bins the Focus in 2024.

But the retirement home doesn’t beckon just yet for the Vauxhall. First launched in 1980, it’s now in its eighth generation and going strong. Instead of creating a whole new model just for the sake of an electric powertrain, Vauxhall has instead stuck a load of battery cells and a motor where the Astra's petrol powertrain, exhaust and fuel tank used to be.

We say ‘used to be’. You can still have the Astra as a petrol or PHEV. It’s the same approach taken by other Stellantis brands. But it’s the Astra Electric we’re focussed on here.

Coolio. What’s it up against?

The Astra Electric rivals the VW ID.3, Renault Megane E-Tech Electric, MG4, Cupra Born and the (closely related) Peugeot e-308. No doubt buyers will be cross-shopping with crossovers too, especially the electric Kia Niro EV and Hyundai Kona Electric.

The Astra Electric also comes as an estate… sorry, Sports Tourer. And of course there’s an Electric Sports Tourer. This has a welcome increase in overhang (for boot space) and wheelbase (for a pinch of extra legroom).

Like all today's Astras, it's a sharp-looking thing. And you'd have to peer hard to tell it apart from the combustion versions. Other changes? There’s no exhaust around the back of course, and you get a set of 18-inch aero-spec wheels to eke out every last mile of range.

Give me some stats then…

Under the floor is a battery of 54kWh gross, 51kWh useable. It's not just a slab, but is broken up so there's still room for rear passengers' feet. It can accept 100kW DC fast-charging to top up from 10 to 80 per cent in just 30 minutes, best case. Said battery feeds a motor that drives the front wheels with 154bhp and 199lb ft of torque.

Vauxhall (or rather Opel) says that the Astra Electric is ‘Autobahn-proof’ too with a top speed of 105mph, while the 0-62mph sprint takes 9.2 seconds. Not rapid by any stretch of the imagination. The Astra Electric hatch claims 258 miles of range on the WLTP cycle.

To put that into context, the recently facelifted ID.3 in its entry-level Pro form gets a 58kWh battery and a 266-mile range. It’s also ever-so-slightly cheaper than the Vauxhall. Ouch. But it's not as well equipped. The Megane E-Tech Electric also has a lower entry price, as well as more power and 280 miles of range. Uh oh.

And heck, you might even be cross-shopping the Astra with a base-spec Tesla Model 3 for £40k, which will go for 318 miles before you need to stop for juice. Yikes.

The Astra keeps it simple with just three available specs: Design, GS and Ultimate. The former will set you back £37,795, while the most expensive one is £43,260 fully loaded.

To drive?

We've driven it in Europe and Britain. It's not very quick, but it’s the most mature Astra you can buy with intuitive, progressive steering and a taut, roll-free attitude. It's true the ride isn't that plush, but it is quiet and consistent. For more details, click the Driving tab of this review.

Is it roomy?

Well, it’s no less practical than the plug-in hybrid. Yep, despite the EV powertrain you still get 352 litres of boot space, and if you need any more than that, look at the Astra Electric Sports Tourer estate. The MG5 finally has some much needed competition.

We like the eighth generation Astra, and the electric one is the best of the lot… we’re just not head-over-heels in love with it. It looks great, drives well and is now further improved by offering real variation in its powertrains.

The Astra Electric on its own might fall short compared to purpose-built EV rivals in terms of maximum battery size, but that brings compensations: it's not too heavy and it recharges fast. The range figure and recharge times are decent because it’s admirably efficient.

It also has a fathomable control layout, it's quiet and has great seats. Vauxhall is adept at setting up strong pay-monthly deals, and there'll be a dealer near you. A solid all-round proposition.