The first deliveries of Vauxhall’s Astra Sports Tourer will commence later this summer priced from £25,005 for entry-level ‘Design’ models.
The estate version shares much in common with the 5-door hatch in terms of style, with both cars wearing the company’s ‘Vizor’ grille. This incorporates cameras that operate various driver and safety aids.
16-inch alloys, LED headlights and tail-lights come as standard on ‘Design’ models, with front and rear parking sensors, a driver drowsiness system, lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking among its arsenal of safety devices.
A 10-inch touchscreen and similar-sized digital driver display are joined by keyless stop/start, electronic climate control and wireless smartphone integration for Apple and Android devices.
£27,900 gets you into tree-topping ‘GS-Line’ trim. These are distinguished by 17-inch black alloys, a black contrast roof, mirror caps and rear spoiler, and tinted rear windows. The door mirrors are also heated and power folding and incorporate a puddle light.
Interior comforts include dual-zone electronic climate control, sports-style heated front seats and steering wheel, keyless entry and an ‘Intelli-vision’ 360-degree parking camera. ‘GS-Line’ adds active cruise control and traffic sign recognition.
A rival to the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus estates, the Sports Tourer is offered with a choice of turbo petrol and diesel engines developing between 108bhp and 128bhp, with the 178bhp plug-in hybrid reserved for ‘GS-Line’ trim.
Size-wise, the estate is 60mm shorter than its predecessor due to a compact front overhang, yet the wheelbase is actually 57mm longer this time around – proof, say Vauxhall, of “its known talent for efficient packaging”.
Petrol and diesel variants can be specified with the optional ‘Intelli-Space’ feature – a moveable load floor that can be adjusted to high and low positions and tilted at a 45-degree angle.
The retractable boot storage cover can also be stowed irrespective of what position the moveable floor is in. Petrol and diesel models have a 608-litre boot with the seats in the upright position, growing to 1,634-litres once these are folded forward.
The plug-in hybrid model surrenders a little space due to the extra mechanical gubbins it adopts, so the cargo area is 548-litres in five-seat guise rising to 1,574-litres if the second row of chairs are lowered.
Another USP of ‘Intelli-Space’ is how it can make the process of repairing a flat tyre easier as the kit is stored in an underfloor compartment that can be accessed from the boot or rear passenger seating area.
It means both the puncture repair and first aid kits can be reached without owners ever needing to fully unpack the boot.
