Test drive of the Opel Astra 1.5 diesel 130 CV, a compact that's different and fuel-efficient

The all-new Opel Astra is a model with French underpinnings: the German compact has been completely renewed, but within Stellantis, using the EMP2 platform and sharing components with the group’s French compacts. That said, sharing parts doesn’t mean it lacks its own personality, and it has plenty of that to spare.

We tested the only diesel engine available in the range: the 1.5 diesel producing 130 CV, with a manual gearbox and very tight consumption figures.

Design: sharp exterior, very comfortable interior

The main lines of the exterior design on this Opel Astra are sharp and straight, the geometry is evident at the front, with a glossy black, fully closed grille, complemented by a bumper more typical of a sporty version than of a traditional compact.

Overall, its front end is sporty and aggressive, as are the side and rear lines, where geometric shapes appear right down to the third brake light, a nod to sportiness.

Inside, I was very pleasantly surprised by the AGR seats, perhaps one of the few things left over from the Astra of the GM era. These seats are certified by a German association for their comfort and ergonomics, something you notice when covering long distances behind the wheel of this Opel Astra.

Another design detail, shared with the rest of the range, is the glossy black trim that houses the two screens, the instrument display and the multimedia system. This trim gives a very avant-garde touch, but the overall finish could be better, as it uses the typical “piano black” so fashionable in today’s vehicles.

On the other hand, most of the dashboard’s finishes and materials are of good quality, with a soft-touch feel and fit that is more than adequate. The placement of the climate control buttons and the position of the gear lever stand out.

The driving position is comfortable, set low, with AGR seats that hold the body very well and are comfortable for long journeys or day-to-day use when covering a lot of kilometres. The rear seat space is adequate, with air vents and a charging point for devices.

The boot has a capacity of 422 litres.

Engine and performance: frugal, very frugal

Opel has hit the mark by offering a diesel engine in its range; not everything today is petrol or hybrid (engines that are also available in the new Opel Astra range), but a diesel unit for those who drive many kilometres still makes a great deal of sense and is practical.

The only engine available is the 1.5 D with 130 CV, an engine shared with the French group, which offers more than enough power and tight consumption figures. This unit will have you working the gearbox to get the most out of it, but you won’t miss horsepower, even with the car fully loaded.

The six-speed manual gearbox lacks a little more precision in its feel, although it is acceptable for the segment. If you’re torn between manual and automatic, go for the manual, since it lets you make the most of those 130 CV and slightly improves consumption.

Handling: composed and comfortable

Outwardly the Opel Astra has a sporty image, but to be honest, that isn’t what this version we tested is about. The turbocharged diesel engine performs adequately, both on motorways and on a mountain road full of bends, although we quickly realise it’s a diesel and we can’t “stretch it” much further.

Even so, it is an agile car with a composed chassis that, on the road, offers a great deal of interior comfort. That said, it isn’t aiming for sportiness in its handling, and that shows.

Consumption

In this area the new Opel Astra with the 1.5 D diesel engine producing 130 CV really stands out, since on country roads we achieved averages of 4.2–4.5 l/100 km, and on the motorway it settled at 4.9 litres per 100 km on our usual Madrid > Vigo > Madrid route.

Even in town, it is hard to exceed 6.5 litres per 100 km.

Equipment

The trim level of our test unit was Elegance, with standout equipment including ergonomic AGR seats, parking sensors and rear camera, dual-zone climate control, a multimedia system with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity, and LED headlights with excellent illumination.

Among the equipment, the sound system deserves a mention: standard but adequate, as it never distorted or sounded too quiet. On the other hand, the touch screen controlling the multimedia could be improved, as it wasn’t as fluid as it should be.

Verdict and price of the Opel Astra

The new Opel Astra is available from 26,099 euros, while our test unit was priced at 33,619 euros.

What stands out about the new Astra with the diesel engine? First and most personally, the design. I admit the brand has managed to update its iconic compact with a sporty, eye-catching design; when you drive it, it turns heads despite being a mainstream car.

And without a doubt, its engine, which for now and by meeting the relevant regulations carries a C label (like a petrol car), is a very frugal unit for those who drive a lot, reaching very low figures without giving up adequate power.

Photos | Test team