We tested the much-anticipated Opel Astra Sport Tourer plug-in hybrid

December 2021 was a very special year for the lightning-bolt brand, as it unveiled the highly anticipated new generation of the Opel Astra, and now it has taken one step further by presenting its Sport Tourer estate body. We were able to put the new Opel Astra Sport Tourer 2022 to the test around the brand’s headquarters in Rüsselsheim, Germany. This plant has become the home of the Sport Tourer, as it was designed, developed and even assembled there.

Let’s set the scene: this new generation of the Astra Sport Tourer arrives with attractive updates for the model. It measures 4.64 metres long with a wheelbase of 2.73 metres. It is built on the EMP2 platform of the Stellantis group, the same one that underpins the Peugeot 30 SW. It is available with 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engines producing 110 and 130 CV, a 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel producing 130 CV, and the most anticipated version: the plug-in hybrid, PHEV, producing 180 CV and carrying the 0 environmental label of the Dirección General de Tráfico. This variant is paired with the e-AT8 automatic gearbox.

As for the gearboxes of the combustion engines, they can be fitted with a six-speed manual or an automatic torque-converter gearbox, the AT8, made by AISIN. That’s not all: in 2023 we will get to know the fully electric variant.

Discover all the secrets of the Opel Astra Sport Tourer

The Opel Astra ST plug-in hybrid can travel up to 135 km/h in electric mode, with an electric range of 60 kilometres in mixed use, though this can reach 72 kilometres in urban cycles. It can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds, with a homologated consumption of 1.1 litres/100 km, provided the battery is charged. To recharge the 12.4 kWh battery you will need under two hours at 7.4 kW; that time rises to four hours if you use a 3.7 kW socket.

It offers a boot capacity of 597 litres in its combustion-engine versions and 516 litres in the plug-in hybrid. These figures can increase to 1,634 and 1,533 litres respectively, with the rear seats folded in a 40/20/40 split. The boot also offers practical solutions, such as a lower compartment for storing the parcel shelf. The tailgate can be opened either with manual handles on each side of the boot or via the hands-free system. It also stands out for its low loading height, so you don’t have to strain when lifting items.

Rear-seat space is quite generous, and two average-sized adults can travel comfortably. In addition, the interiors have been completely redesigned. It features a multifunction steering wheel, climate controls, a modern ambience, a digital instrument cluster and a large central screen. Beneath that screen, the model has physical controls that make it easier to manage the system without taking your eyes off the road.

The connection with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is wireless, and there is a noticeable leap in material quality. The seats are AGR-certified and can offer massage, ventilation and heating functions. Another feature of the ST is its IntelliLux LED headlights with matrix technology, available in three trims: Elegance, GS Line and Ultimate. For now, the final prices of the Opel Astra Sport Tourer are not known, but the first orders will begin to arrive in autumn.

We take the wheel of the Opel Astra Sport Tourer

During our test session we drove the 180 CV plug-in hybrid version and the 130 CV turbodiesel, both with automatic gearboxes. After short drives with hardly any bends and on motorways, we can say that, like its predecessor, it is a car with an ideal “gait” for travelling. Its suspension adapts to any type of bend. Although we are talking about an estate, it is a agile, fun car that absorbs irregularities well.

The official average consumption is around 4.6 litres/100 km for the diesel variant, not bad for a vehicle of these characteristics and dimensions. However, the 180 CV plug-in hybrid, PHEV, is much smoother, and its consumption comes close to six litres. It offers three driving modes: Electric, Hybrid and Sport.

After driving the 2022 Opel Astra Sport Tourer, we can say it has left a very good impression, just as the Opel Astra 5-door did. If its price is not too high, the Sport Tourer can become the best ally for your family or your outdoor hobbies.