Opel Astra Sports Tourer Electric – Back to Basics

Opel Astra Sports Tourer Electric – €41,499

This week it was announced that the Opel Astra Sports Tourer Electric costs at least €41,499. That is €1,500 more than the electric Astra hatchback and we suspect that we will see very little of that shorter EV, because the additional price for the much more spacious and practical Sports Tourer is relatively modest. Apart from the body shape, the electric Astra 5-door and the Astra Sports Tourer Electric are virtually identical, so this story largely also applies to the €39,999 hatchback. Where there are differences, we will of course mention them.

Already looks ‘finished’ as standard

The first thing you notice about the electric and extra spacious Astra is that the basic model does not look like an entry-level car at all. Just take the basic petrol Astra and you will immediately know what we mean. The Astra Electric comes standard with unique 18-inch alloys and comes standard with the sportier front bumper of the more expensive GS version.

In good Stellantis custom, metallic paint is standard, in a striking shade that varies per body style. For the Astra Sports Tourer, the ‘basic color’ is the tasty ‘Crimson Red’, very different from the striking yellow of the hatchback. To see, the Astra Electric is completely ‘finished’ even without options.

This is the basic version of the Opel Astra Sports Tourer on petrol …

And this is the basic version of the Opel Astra ST Electric. With those wheels, front bumper and fog lights it suddenly looks much more complete.

The more expensive GS distinguishes itself with black logos and a black roof, but has the same wheels and front bumper. Even more luxurious matrix LED headlights are optionally available, but only very sharp spotters can see the difference from the outside with the standard LED viewers. The car in the pictures has ‘privacy glass’, but according to the price list this is not standard. The undersigned thinks this is good news, but people with different tastes should keep that in mind when looking at the pictures.

Inside, the difference between a standard petrol Astra and the Astra Electric is minimal. The ‘Modene’ fabric upholstery is made up of black and two shades of gray, slightly less boring than just black. The headliner in this entry-level car is also in a light shade, which creates a different atmosphere than under the dark roof of the GS version.

Technically there is no difference between the basic version ‘Astra’ and the GS. As Electric, both models have a net 51 kWh battery pack, good for a driving range of 413 kilometers. A 156 hp electric motor drags the Opel from 0 to 100 km/h by its front wheels in 9.3 seconds. Fast charging is possible with a maximum of 100 kW and a 3-phase charger is standard, as is a heat pump.

This is standard on the Opel Astra Sports Tourer Electric …

Then the actual equipment. There are some small differences compared to a conventional Astra. For example, only the electric version has a USB-C charging port in the rear and the plug-in hybrid and the fully electric Astra distinguish themselves with a standard armrest in the front. The basic version of the petrol Astra does not have this support. Like all other Astras, the Opel Astra Sports Tourer Electric comes with standard climate control (1 zone), cruise control, front fog lights, ‘keyless go’, heated exterior mirrors and parking sensors all around. There is little reason to complain in terms of infotainment, because the combination of two 10-inch screens provides wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard, combined with six speakers. The rear seat can be folded down into three parts as standard, compared to two parts for the hatchback. Striking: there is also a center armrest missing in the rear, which you will find in the GS.

…and not this

There is no built-in navigation, that is part of an option package. We also miss keyless entry, that extra zone of climate control, seat and steering wheel heating and adaptive cruise control. These are of course not a necessity, but especially with an EV it would be nice if seat heating were available as a separate option. That is not the case here, although the ‘Comfort Package’ with a price of €699 is not that expensive. For that money you not only get heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, but also an AGR-certified driver’s seat with, among other things, a seat extender. Then we take the dark side windows, which are also part of this package, for granted, protesting loudly.