Road tested By Hugh Maguire.
If you were to believe some pundits, estate cars are no longer wanted by motorists and those same individuals would tell you diesel is dead. Wrong! Indeed Opel seem to think the opposite with a diesel powered estate version of their latest Astra model.
With EV sales sliding into the abyss it now looks like Opel made a very clever decision to produce a diesel powered estate in a world which thought big lardy SUV’s powered by a battery were the future.
There most definitely still is a market for an estate albeit smaller than in the past and a week behind the wheel of the latest Astra estate diesel proves diesel really has place in our motoring future. Its efficient, cleaner than ever before and offers true efficiency with huge range. The model on test then is the new Astra Sports Tourer.
What about street cred?
The new Astra estate is a smart sleek looking car. My test car was finished in Perla black with very smart two tone alloy wheels with subtle red accents. Overall then I though this is a very stylish looking estate car.
How about the Interior?
Inside the new Astra estate is bang up to date with a digital suite of instruments. The quality of the interior is really top class. Opel have managed to blend the latest tech with a truly functional and ergonomically excellent interior.
The dashboard has what is in fact two screens but they look as one. A central one and a driver display. The central screen looks and functions very well but I felt they could have done more with the design and configurability of the driver digital panel. It functions well enough but is a bit uninteresting to look at.
That said the interior looks and feels good. The overall design is welcoming and the driver has all the necessary functions close to hand. I particularly like that there are a row of buttons below the main screen as shortcuts to access the screen and other functions. Unlike some other manufacturers who place all functions ridiculously through a touchscreen. There is plenty of standard kit too on this GS estate model. Highlights include, heated seats, electric lumbar support, cruise control, heated steering wheel, 360 degree camera, wireless charging and keyless entry and lock to name just a few.
Accomadation is simply excellent with a big roomy if albeit a dark (all finished in black) interior. The load area is cavernous offering just under 600litres of load space.
What’s under the bonnet?
There are both petrol and diesel versions available. My test car had the 1.5 litre 130bhp diesel mated to an 8-speed auto gearbox. What a lovely and frugal engine it proved to be. Its actually a PSA Group power unit found in many Peugeot and Citroen cars so its well proven.
What it lacks in punch it more than makes up for in overall performance and economy proving a willing performer on the motorway and very economical burning just 5.5 litres of diesel per 100km giving you almost 1,000km between re fuels. Very nice! No range anxiety here!
Will I enjoy driving it?
Like its many rivals its not a car you will take out for an early morning run just for the hell of it, but you know what after some 600km behind the wheel with and without passengers all agreed this was a lovely all round estate. Its comfortable, its quiet (though a bit of road noise on coarse tarmac) and it is pleasant to drive.
My Verdict
The Astra diesel estate is an excellent example of why there is still very much a reason to buy an estate and furthermore diesel is well and truly alive and indeed flourishing. Remember diesel and petrol holds the bulk of market share way outselling EV’s and mark my words will be a part of our motoring future for many many years to come.
The Astra estate is priced from €31,295. The GS diesel estate tested costs €43,195.