The Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Plug-In Hybrid Estate: The Complete Guide For The UK

Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Plug-In Hybrid
Price: £33,900
Type of electric vehicle: Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
Body type: Estate
Battery size: 12.4 kWh
Electric range (WLTP): 37 miles
Tailpipe emissions: 25g (CO2/km)


Overview


Vauxhall Motors is part of the Netherlands based Stellantis N.V., which was formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (Italian/ American) and Groupe PSA (French). You may not be familiar with these names, but the automotive brands in the portfolio would be well known to most consumers.

These include: Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Jeep, FIAT, Alfa Romeo etc. The Vauxhall electric vehicle (EV) portfolio includes both, battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models:



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For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:


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The Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer PHEV Estate


The ubiquitous Vauxhall Astra is a compact family car that was introduced in 1991. The latest generation (8th generation/ 2022 model) is available as a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) and also as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

The Vauxhall Astra estate car has always offered a compelling ‘value for money’ proposition, however, with the introduction of the estate PHEV, the proposition has become even stronger, given the improved efficiency of the electric vehicle (EV), lower tailpipe emissions and striking new exterior styling.

Moreover, despite the introduction of a number of family PHEVs in the recent past, the number of estate plug-in electric cars on sale is still limited. Therefore, for families and company-car drivers seeking practicality, lower motoring costs and improved environmental credentials, the all-new Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer plug-in hybrid is worth consideration.

The Astra plug-in hybrid estate has a 12.4 kW onboard EV battery, with a zero-tailpipe emission electric range up to 37 miles (WLTP certified). Even accounting for real-world driving conditions, the Astra plug-in electric car should be able to achieve an EV range up to 32 miles. Do keep in mind that the average journey in the UK is a mere 12 miles and the average distance covered in a day is 30 miles.

Therefore, a 32 mile emission-free electric range is useful. The Astra PHEV has a 3.7kW onboard charger as standard (0%-100%: 3 hours 30 minutes). However, there is the option to upgrade to 7.4kW (0%-100%: 1 hour 55 minutes). Charging the EV with a domestic socket will take up to 5 hours 30 minutes!

Taking advantage of the EV range will also require inculcating a habit of charging the EV on a regular basis, which again is as easy as charging a smartphone. We at e-zoomed discourage the use of a domestic 3-PIN plug for charging an electric car.

A ‘topping up’ approach to charging will help improve the overall efficiency of the vehicle and also improve the long-term maintenance of the onboard EV battery. Vauxhall offers a 8 years or 100,000 miles warranty.

Driving on e-mode will also improve the efficiency of the EV. Vauxhall claims a fuel economy up to 256 mpg. In the real-world achieving this will be a challenge, however, the PHEV will deliver a better fuel economy compared to the conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) variant.

Of course, if you are driving mostly on the motorway, with limited use of the electric range, the fuel consumption of the EV will be closer to the conventional ICE variant.

The Astra plug-in hybrid pairs a 1.6-litre (AT8) petrol engine with an electric motor (81 kW), powered by an onboard EV battery. In terms of performance, the front-wheel drive electric estate has decent capability for driving on motorways and in cities. The PHEV has a top speed of 140 mph and can achieve 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds. The EV delivers a maximum 180 HP output (torque: 360 Nm).

The EV has a good level of standard equipment and technology, to include: Intelli-Vision (with 360° HD camera), intelligent speed adaptation, keyless entry + start, Pure Panel with navigation, ambient lighting and more. It is available only in one trim level.

We encourage drivers to use the pure electric mode to drive within city limits, to save money and reduce tailpipe pollution. The Astra PHEV has tailpipe emissions up to 25g (CO2/km), far lower than the petrol or diesel variant (128g CO2/km). Moreover, company-car drivers can benefit from the lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK-8%) tax rate for the PHEV.

Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet! You can lease electric vehicles at very competitive prices via e-zoomed!



PROS CONS
Low tailpipe emissions7.2 kW on board charger not standard
Decent electric range (43 miles)DC charging not available
A practical estate plug-in electric car Available in only one trim

Gallery


The Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer PHEV Estate (credit: Vauxhall)


At A Glance
EV Type:Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
Body Type:Estate
Plug-In Car Grant (PiCG):Not Available
Engine:Petrol/Electric
Available In UK:Yes

Variants (1 Option)
Vauxhall Astra GS Line (from £33,900)

EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:Available in one battery size: 12.4 kWh
Charging:Onboard charger: 3.7 kW AC as standard (0%-100%: 3h 30m). 7.4 kW AC optional (0%-100%: 1h 55m)
Charge Port:Type 2
EV Cable Type: Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:25g (CO2/km)
EV Battery Warranty:8 years/100,000 miles/70% capacity

Average Cost Of Residential Charging
Battery net capacity : 8.8 kWh £1.27
Battery net capacity : 11.6 kWh£1.67
Battery net capacity : 12.0 kWh£1.73
Battery net capacity : 13.10 kWh£1.89
Battery net capacity : 14.10 kWh£2.03
  • Note 1: The average cost of residential electricity in the UK varies depending on the region, supplier and type of energy used. An average for the UK is 14.40 p/kWh.
  • Note 2: Not all EV manufactures make available the data on net EV battery capacity, and in a number of instances the EV battery capacity advertised, does not state if it is gross or net capacity. In general, usable EV battery capacity is between 85% to 95% of the gross available capacity.

Charging Times (Overview)
Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW):6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC)
Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW):3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging AC (43 kW):0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
  • Note 1: SoC: state of charge

Dimensions
Height (mm):1443
Width (mm):2062
Length (mm):4642
Wheelbase (mm):2732
Turning Circle (m):10.71
Boot Space (L):516

HYBRID-e
EV Battery Capacity:12.4 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):37 miles
Fuel Consumption (mpg):256 miles
EV Operation Efficiency (kWh/100km):16.0
Charging: Onboard charger: 3.7 kW AC as standard (0%-100%: 3h 30m). 7.4 kW AC optional (0%-100%: 1h 55m)
Top Speed:140 mph
0-60 mph:7.7 seconds
Drive: Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Electric Motor (kW):81
Max Power (HP):180
Torque (Nm): 360
Transmission:Automatic
Seats:5
Doors:5
Kerb Weight (kg):1,717
Colours:6
NCAP Safety Rating:Five-Star

While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.


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Author

Ashvin Suri

Ashvin has been involved with the renewables, energy efficiency and infrastructure sectors since 2006. He is passionate about the transition to a low-carbon economy and electric transportation. Ashvin commenced his career in 1994, working with US investment banks in New York. Post his MBA from the London Business School (1996-1998), he continued to work in investment banking at Flemings (London) and JPMorgan (London). His roles included corporate finance advisory, M&A and capital raising. He has been involved across diverse industry sectors, to include engineering, aerospace, oil & gas, airports and automotive across Asia and Europe. In 2010, he co-founded a solar development platform, for large scale ground and roof solar projects to include, the UK, Italy, Germany and France. He has also advised on various renewable energy (wind and solar) utility scale projects working with global institutional investors and independent power producers (IPP’s) in the renewable energy sector. He has also advised in key international markets like India, to include advising large-scale industrial and automotive group in India. Ashvin has also advised Indian Energy, an IPP backed by Guggenheim (a US$ 165 billion fund). He has also advised a US$ 2 billion, Singapore based group. Ashvin has also worked in the real estate and infrastructure sector, to including working with the Matrix Group (a US$ 4 billion property group in the UK) to launch one of the first few institutional real estate funds for the Indian real estate market. The fund was successfully launched with significant institutional support from the UK/ European markets. He has also advised on water infrastructure, to include advising a Swedish clean technology company in the water sector. He has also been involved with a number of early stage ventures.

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