Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric Review 2024

If you like the Vauxhall Astra Electric but need a little more space (but not that much more...), the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric could be a good choice. We do think there's demand for estate cars still (even though most people now prefer SUVs), and we think it's got a bit more personality than the cheaper MG 5 EV. Give it a few months, though, and the smart money will go on a nearly-new Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric at a more realistic price.

There's only one battery/motor available, so that keeps that decision simple. In terms of trim level, we think the pricier models are hard to justify as they're quite expensive, especially if you're looking to buy a brand new Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric. The cheapest Design model is well equipped, with 18-inch alloy wheels, the Pure Panel media system and front/rear parking sensors - so we'd recommend that.

There aren't many electric estate cars on the market. If you're looking at the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric, we'd also recommend the closely related (but slightly more expensive) Peugeot e-308 SW. Then there's the budget-friendly MG 5 EV. Otherwise, you'll be looking at electric SUVs like the Skoda Enyaq iV, Kia Niro EV and Smart #1 - all of which are very impressive EVs that arguably represent better value for money than the Astra Sports Tourer Electric.

The Vauxhall Astra has never been posh, and the interior of the latest Sports Tourer Electric certainly doesn't feel as upmarket as the Peugeot e-308 SW. It's functional, though, and we get the impression that it'll stand the test of time. If you do want a slightly classier cabin, the top-of-the-range Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric Ultimate features Alcantara upholstery and a perforated flat-bottomed leather-effect steering wheel.

Every Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric gets the brand's Pure Panel infotainment system, made up of a 10-inch digital instrument display alongside a 10-inch central infotainment screen. This features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, meaning you don't have to rely on the car's in-built sat-nav for navigation.

It's an easy enough system to use with a few helpful physical shortcut buttons. It's occasionally a bit laggy, though, while we think the graphics look a bit like one of those cut-price tablets you can buy from Amazon.

Ah yes, boot space. The area in which you'd expect the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric to excel in. Except, it doesn't. It can accommodate 516-litres of luggage, which is a hefty chunky less than a petrol Astra Sports Tourer, and a lot less than electric SUV alternatives like the Skoda Enyaq iV.

It's not all negative, though. The relatively low boot opening will help those who struggle lifting bulky objects into an SUV, while it'd also be great for encouraging dogs to jump into the back. Realistically, this isn't one of the most practical electric cars you can buy, but it does offer some extra versatility compared to the Vauxhall Astra Electric hatchback.

Space for passengers is pretty much the same as the regular car, which means those in the back might feel a bit cramped (especially tall adults), while there's more than enough space for those in the front.

The Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric measures 4642mm long, 2062mm wide (including door mirrors) and 1443mm high.

The Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric comes with an 156PS electric motor that's powered by a 54kWh battery pack. This is the same setup as the regular Vauxhall Astra Electric, while it's also just as quick (or, more accurately, just as pedestrian) as the hatchback. Officially it'll accelerate to 62mph in 9.2 seconds, quite a bit slower than other electric cars. For comparison, the MG 5 EV manages it in 7.7 seconds.

It does feel like it's lacking that off-the-line urgency that we're now used to with electric vehicles. But this is a car that puts comfort and practicality over drama and excitement - and, in many ways, it's all the better for it.

If you're trading in your petrol or diesel car, you'll enjoy how effortless the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric is to drive. There are no gears to worry about, while it builds speed smoothly and with little fuss. Around town, it'll accelerate surprisingly quickly - it's just a shame that this peters out at higher speeds, making overtakes a bit more of a chore than they would be in, say, a Kia Niro EV.

Although the Astra Sports Tourer Electric doesn't have a particularly large battery, Vauxhall says it's concentrated on improving efficency so that it can travel as far as possible between charges. Officially it can travel up to 4.2 miles per kWh, which provides a range of 256 miles (just two miles less than the hatchback).

The Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric is best driven in a steady manner, which is conducive to an impressive real-world range. It can travel slightly further than the MG 5 EV, according to official tests (the MG has a range figure of 250 miles), although a Kia Niro EV has a bigger battery and can manage up to 285 miles.

The regular Vauxhall Astra Electric isn't the most refined electric car and the Sports Tourer amplifies that - as with most estate cars, you'll notice slightly more wind and road noise than the hatchback. There's a bit of a whine from the electric motor, and we noticed a clear thrum from the 18-inch alloy wheels.

That said, it's still a very civilised way to travel, with a clear advantage in terms of refinement compared to a petrol-powered Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer.

The latest Vauxhall Astra has been awarded a four star safety rating by crash-test experts, Euro NCAP. While it misses out on the full five stars, you needn't be too worried - fundamentally it's a very safe car. It lost points mainly for its driver-assistance technology, including an autonomous emergency braking system that performed 'only marginally' in tests involving other vehicles.

Still, you get a lot of tech as standard. This includes a driver drowsiness alert that monitors your driving and tells you when to take a break; automatic emergency braking that can detect pedestrians, and an in-crash braking system that applies the brakes to prevent further collisions. Lane departure warning with lane-keep assist is also standard across the range, as well as a cruise control with intelligent speed adaption. All Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric models also come with eight airbags and ISOFIX child seat mounting points on the outer rear seats.

The top-spec Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric Ultimate adds so extra driver-assistance technology in the form of an advanced intelligent speed adaptation and semi-automated lane change.

Although it's still a very new model, we have no doubt that the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric will prove to be an exceptionally dependable car.

That's partly because all electric cars are generally very reliable. They're not as complex as you might think - they're much simpler than a car powered by a petrol or diesel. There's no complicated engine, just a simple battery and motor. Vauxhall provides an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery so you don't need to worry about that suddenly failing, and our experience of older electric cars suggests the batteries could last well beyond the typical lifespan of a car.

There's also the reassure that Vauxhall is part of the giant Stellantis mega group, so the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric shares its mechanical bits with other well-proven electric vehicles - cars like the Peugeot e-2008 and Vauxhall Corsa Electric.

Insurance groups for the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric are yet to be confirmed, but we'd expect it to cost a little more to insure than a petrol Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer. Shop around for quotes before you part with your cash.

The tax-free period for electric cars is set to end in 2025. That means you'll pay the same to tax the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric as any other car - the current standard rate is £180/year. Cars with a list price (when new) of more than £40,000 are also hit with an extra £390/year in 'premium car tax' for five years. Buy a Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric registered before the 1 April 2025 and it'll be exempt from this.

The Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric Design is the most affordable model in the range. Standard equipment includes 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, Vauxhall's Pure Panel navigation system with a 10-inch central display and a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Further equipment on the Design trim include LED headlights, automatic lights, high beam assist, front and rear parking sensors, climate control, automatic wipers and all-round electric windows. There's an array of driver-assistance tech fitted as standard, too, including lane departure warning with lane keep assist, speed sign recognition, driver drowsiness altert, cruise control and automatic emergency braking.

The Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric GS adds 18-inch black alloy wheels, a contrasting black roof, dark tinted rear windows and a black front grille. Inside, the GS model features an AGR-certified driver's seat, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control and a heated perforated flat-bottomed steering wheel. A 360-degree panoramic parking camera is standard on the GS, as well as forward collision alert and adaptive cruise control with intelligent speed adaption.

Topping the range, the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric Ultimate features Alcantara seat trim, a panoramic sunroof, Intelli-Lux LED Pixel headlights, and a head-up display. A wireless phone charger is also standard, as well as more driver-assistance technology (including semi-autonomous lane changing, advanced intelligent speed adaptation, rear cross traffic alert and lane positioning assist).