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Test Drive: Opel Astra Sports Tourer Electric: Light and Quiet

The electric Astra Sports Tourer sets new standards by not setting any (except for weight). We clarify in the driving report how it achieves this.

Lightweight meets lightweight: Just as the arch bridge saves material and weight, so does the Astra Sports Tourer Electric. | Photo: Opel
Lightweight meets lightweight: Just as the arch bridge saves material and weight, so does the Astra Sports Tourer Electric. | Photo: Opel
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If you glance over the datasheet of the Astra Sports Tourer Electric, you won't find any outliers—neither upwards nor downwards. The same applies when studying the price list: no peculiarities. And yet, it sets new standards. With this model, Opel returns to its roots in multiple ways: the Opel team has put together a (still) compact, (still) affordable, attractive station wagon and built it at the main plant. "You can hardly get more Rüsselsheim than this," rejoices press spokesman Patrick Munsch with a subtly Hessian undertone, and indeed, you get the feeling that the brand with the lightning bolt has truly come full circle with the electric "Caravan."

We get in, press the start button, wait the typical Stellantis second for all systems to boot up, flip the selector switch to "D," and off we go.

The Astra is extremely light for an electric vehicle—and you feel it immediately!

We are doubly surprised: first, by how light the 4.64-meter-long wagon with a 54-kWh battery feels, and second, by how quiet it is! Just on the day of the drive presentation, it snowed so much in the Frankfurt area that the snow remained everywhere, and during lane changes on the highway, one would expect it to roar in the wheel wells—but nothing: the Astra truly feels very light for an electric car, which it is at around 1,760 kilograms including the driver, and it also allows minimal noise into the cabin, thanks in part to sound-damping glass.

Combined with the thin, easy-to-grip steering wheel, the proper seating position in comfortable AGR seats, and the well-tuned suspension, it stands among the most successful electric vehicles, offering between 516 and 1,553 liters of cargo volume or a cubic dimension of 1.03x1.03x0.8 meters. So, without folding the seats, you can fit a washing machine in the back, although it has to be laid down since it stands 85 cm tall, which is 5 cm too high. If you fold the 40:20:40 split backrest entirely, you get up to 1.85 meters of load length inside. It fits well, especially since Opel also provides a flat underfloor compartment for small items—though, unfortunately, no frunk due to the front motor and drivetrain. However, this configuration would later save us from trouble...

Six instead of eight poles: The new drive is efficient

The synchronous motor originates from the Stellantis partnership with Nidec and scores points with a six instead of eight pole design, reducing electrical losses. The fully integrated inverter and high-performance heat pump also help, and indeed, after the first short drive despite winter tires, highway portions, and cold three degrees, we averaged 20.8 kWh net. Before heading towards Feldberg, where the temperatures drop further and the snow remains. We’re forced to abort in Oberursel but can immediately test the traction on inclines in the town, which is better than expected thanks to the electric motor and part of the battery pack behind the front axle. In fact, a Corsa with all-season tires and a compact rear-wheel-drive electric vehicle lose traction here, while the Astra moves ahead effortlessly. Even as we continue, the traction control rarely engages, and despite the wild snowstorm, the safety systems seldom warn that they might no longer function reliably.

The temperature control also works very well, especially since the front and rear windows can be heated, as well as the front seats and the steering wheel. The climate control buttons are immediately accessible, but: The rest of the infotainment is unfortunately rather unintuitive. Voice input doesn't work at all (you're supposed to connect to your smartphone, which is already not that easy) and otherwise you swipe through the many infotainment options more or less helplessly. The fields open and close quite artfully, but it seems that French aesthetics were more important here than Teutonic functionality. Which is all the more annoying since Opel retained many basic functions, including the radio button.

The sound, despite only having six speakers, is clear and strong and envelops us so well at one point that we wonder why ice or heavy snow suddenly roars so loudly in the wheel wells. But the sound came from the undertone of a mystical pop song! Here too, Opel finds a good synthesis of clear sound and affordability.

Consumption is favorable given the circumstances

In the end, we return to Rüsselsheim with 19.5 kWh/100 km, which gross with charging losses should be around 21.5 kWh/100 km. Not a record, but very decent for the winter weather with occasional digging in the snow. In summer, you should be much closer to the reported 15 kWh/100 km according to WLTP and thus also to the range of up to 413 km. It's a shame that you can only recharge with a maximum of 100 kW, because the often touted "under 30 minutes" applies here from 30 to 80% charge level and not from 10 to 80%. AC charging works three-phase with up to 11 kW, 22 kW would of course be cooler. For a full charge on the 11 kW charger, Opel states about 5 hours and 45 minutes, on household electricity with 3.2 kW this becomes 19 hours...

Opel kept the price reasonable: The Sports Tourer Electric starts at 43,490 euros gross, but if you register it by December 31, 2023, according to Opel, this should be feasible, it becomes 36,312.50 euros. If you use the subsidy as a down payment, Opel's leasing rate matches that of the gasoline model: starting at 299 euros is remarkable. This shows that Opel has returned to its roots!

What does this mean?

The strength of the Astra Sports Tourer Electric lies in its balance: it doesn't set benchmarks anywhere (except in weight), but overall offers an extremely well-rounded package, with no real weaknesses. And this affordable balance has always been, and once again is, Opel's core competence. 

Translated automatically from German.
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