Test Drive: Opel Astra Plug-in Hybrid: Back in Rüsselsheim

Under the hood, the Astra now features French technology for the first time - namely the third generation of the EMP platform originally developed by PSA, which also underpins the Grandland. But this brings things full circle: The Opel “Tree Frog” was once a copy of a Citroën model, and Stellantis has so far shown pride and satisfaction with its German subsidiary.

With the new Astra, they've taken a big step forward - and not just visually. The first impression counts, and it's good: The Vizor front, derived from the Manta A, is pleasing from the outside, followed by harmonious proportions and crisp lines, and the entire car is clearly identifiable as an Opel.

Interior: Stylish instruments, optional with colorful accents

The good impression continues inside: You see a high-quality instrument landscape, where Opel features two ten-inch displays - which, only in the two simplest trims, are framed with plastic and not glazed - otherwise, Opel uses real glass with a magnesium frame! Sensibly, infotainment and climate control are separated - the latter is on a second button level, directly above which is level one for direct infotainment access. This requires a bit of acclimatization at first, as does the voice control, but fundamentally it represents a clear progress compared to its predecessor.

Typical Opel: AGR seats and LED headlights

Moreover, Opel has incorporated some clever ideas: The head-up display can be adjusted quickly and easily using the mirror adjustment switch on the driver's side. And the roller shutter in the center console offers enough grip to place your phone, which can be quickly paired and connected to the infotainment system in the charging cradle. All of this while sitting on generously sized AGR seats, which are, however, so robustly built that the rear seat space is not overly generous: If tall people over 1.8 meters are seated in the front, they will need to negotiate with rear passengers on long journeys. Additionally, the trunk space in the plug-in hybrid is not overly generous with a load volume of 352 to 1,268 liters; the pure combustion models offer particularly more depth with 422 to 1,339 liters.

Time to start and roll off silently: Officially, the Astra achieves up to 60 kilometers purely electrically; with us, the display showed 43 kilometers - which could be due to the cold weather and the initially well-turned-up heating. With a system output of 180 hp (which is calculated from the 150 hp of the petrol engine and the 110 hp of the electric motor), it moves swiftly, and the combustion engine kicks in as needed - completely imperceptibly. It does struggle a bit, like its French Stellantis family members, with blending at stop points: When hybrid rolling, the two machines usually decide just before a stop how to proceed, leading to a very slight jolt, which only plug-in drivers who pay attention will notice.

Otherwise, thanks to the laminated front and front side windows, there's a lot of peace in the Astra, which scores with crisp handling, a well-tuned chassis, and a clear steering, without neglecting comfort. Here, Opel offers the expected Teutonic perfection in both ergonomics and overall design. Sit in, find the driving position IMMEDIATELY, and drive off!

The 12.4 kWh battery can optionally be charged with up to 7.4 kW

On our approximately 40-kilometer hybrid round with a short highway section, consumption remained at 1.5 l/100 km, and the 12.4 kWh gross battery would have lasted for another ten kilometers. The battery can be charged at a household socket with 2.3 kW in just over seven hours, with the 3.7 kW standard it's nearly four hours, which can be reduced to just under two hours with the optional 7.4 kW charger (for a gross €500). For comparison: The diesel, which we used on a highway trip, can be brought to under five liters/100 km in brisk but rather “sloppy” driving in Hesse's evening traffic, which is perfectly acceptable for the 96 kW engine.

And so we drive to Bahnhofstraße one last time to the former main plant, which still stands there somewhat undecided, rotting away. There, we meet an elderly lady with a walker—not complaining that we're taking up some of her sidewalk for the photo, but instead asking with shining eyes: "That's the new Astra, right?" We nod and explain the reason for the photo. Yes, and it's being built in Rüsselsheim again. The lady beams: "Good job!"

What does that mean?

The new Opel Astra has the potential to become and remain a very important pillar in the Opel program again—and to really give its arch-enemy, the VW Golf, a run for its money. Because the Astra L combines Teutonic perfection with character, all at affordable prices. They start at 22,465 Euros for the base model (that's just under 18,880 Euros net). The diesels start at 28,660 Euros as the Edition model (just under 24,090 Euros net) and the plug-ins are available from 35,800 Euros. After deducting the subsidy, that leaves 28,622.50 Euros, which is a good 24,053 Euros net.