So can the Astra Electric completes the new 8th Generation Astra Range. Is it any good though and can it beat its main rivals, the Volkswagen I.D.3 and the MG4 EV
Exterior – Front
So, let’s start with the styling at the front. There is no surprise that the front of the Astra Electric is identical to the regular ICE powered car. This means you get the usual Vauxhall Visor which has the grill and the headlights all in one unit. These lights are LED but on the top of the range trim level you can have their Intellilux Pixel Light technology. Moving lower down we get this sporty looking central air vent and connected to it is a pair of side vents that look quite sporty for this type of car.
Exterior – Side
Along the side for me it is quite plain, but we do get some sharp creases that are visible is you have the right colour. We do get a black roof and we do still sort of have the floating rear roof effect. We also get the same wheel designs as the Corsa Electric but this time they are 18-inch wheels with a 5-stud design to fit on the Astra. They come in black for the first time on the GS model and bi colour on the Ultimate model.
Exterior – Rear
Moving round the back you can easily tell it looks like an astra. We have these wing taillights like every other Vauxhall and the new lettering in the centre. We also have this sporty bumper which I quite like, and the decals are all in black on this GS and Ultimate models.
Car and engine specs and price
So, for the Astra Electric you only get one battery and motor option. This is a 154 bhp motor mounted to the front of the car to drive the front wheels. Connected to it is a 54-kWh battery pack giving this car 258 miles of range. 0-62 time is done in 8.5 seconds which is decent. These figures are only on the Hatchback though so expect the Estate to be slightly lower. Now what I don’t like about the Astra Electric, the price. The Price of the Astra Electric starts at £39,995. This is a lot of money for an Astra. For me it does not even feel like it is worth it as there is one main rival that has more power, quicker to 62, has better range and is £10,000 cheaper. That is the MG4 EV. Yes that is right you can have an MG4 EV SE Long Range for £29,495 and it is better in every way than the astra. Here is a table to compare it. Even the top of the range MG4 EV Trophy Long Range is only £32,495. This makes the Astra seem too expensive and irrelevant. You also get the 7 years warranty with the MG
Factor | Vauxhall Astra Electric GS | MG4 EV SE Long Range |
BHP | 154 | 200 |
0-62 Time | 8.5 | 7.7 |
Range | 258 | 281 |
Price | £39,995 | "29,495 |
Warranty | 3 | 7 |
Lets have a look on the inside
Interior – Design
So, getting inside the new Astra Electric and it has the same updates as the recent Astra Sports Tourer that I tested. The biggest and only difference is that the Vauxhall Pure Panel is all one glass panel. This means that you cannot see the screens when the system is off. This looks much more futuristic. The screens are both 10 inches just like the regular display, but it looks and feels much more modern and less cheap. The software that is running on it is very good and is much better than what you would find on the Mokka and Corsa. The dashboard design is very modern and sporty looking, as too is the steering wheel. The centre console is simple and clean looking. The only thing I would want to change is that the cubby covers are not this rubber material and the same piano black material. This will make it look more premium although this piano black material does scratch quite easily which is a shame. We do get this split arm rest though like what you would find on a Mercedes and these seats are very supportive and comfortable and are certified AGR seats. AGR is a campaign for healthier backs. Let’s have a look at the rear seats.
Practicality
So, getting in the back and the Astra is not as practical as it used to be. Legroom is not as good as the previous gen Astra and headroom is not that great because of the sporty sloping roof. You can fit 6-foot people behind another 6-foot person, but it is a squeeze, and I wouldn’t want to do it for a long journey. Let’s have a look at the boot.
Boot Size
Boot size for the astra is at 351 litres with the seats up or 1,268 litres with the seats down which is as good as its main rivals. This is a bit down for the type of car as the MG4 EV has 363 litres of boot space with the seats up and with the seats down it is 1,117. The Volkswagen ID.3 is at 385 litres with the seats up and with the seats down it is 1,267 litres.
Summary
So, in summary then would I recommend the Vauxhall Astra Electric. The simple answer is no. for me the price is just too steep for the type of car it is especially when you look at the MG4 EV. The Astra itself as a petrol or plug in hybrid makes sense as it is much cheaper and it feels likes its priced right. For me £40,000 for this type of car feels too steep. This is more premium car territory, and the Astra just does not feel ready for that category yet.
Exterior 4/5
Interior 4/5
Practicality 3/5
Total 11/15
Model | Vauxhall Astra Electric Ultimate |
Engine | 1 Electric Motor 154 bhp, 0-62 = 8.5 Secs |
Trnasmission | Automatic |
Price | £43,110 |
On Sale | Now |
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