With the introduction of the Opel Astra Electric, buyers can now have the German hatchback in any flavour of powertrain they wish, including diesel and plug-in hybrid. And while the EV may be the last variant to arrive, the battery-powered Astra appears to have been worth the wait. It benefits from the slightly larger 54kWh battery pack that other models in the Stellantis group now use.
In the metal
The Opel Astra's modern styling hasn't been altered in the fully-electric version, and that'll appeal to some buyers - not everyone wants an electric car that looks radically different. That's not to say that this current generation of Astra isn't a looker. Opel's 'Vizor' grille, which incorporates the headlights with its latest matrix illumination tech, works very well visually and subtly allows some airflow through it too.
Adding to the Astra Electric's exterior styling are contrasting black door mirrors and a matching black roof. These elements work well, and the rear spoiler that wraps down and around the back window to boost the car's aerodynamics adds to the sporty image. Also adding to the car's efficiency through the air is a new 18-inch wheel design and, away from sight, the underbody is enclosed to help reduce drag and maximise driving range. The rear hatch - which carries a small 'e' badge to mark this out as the electric model - uses a thermoplastic production method to reduce weight and, when opened, reveals a boot capacity of 352 litres - increasing to 1,268 litres when the rear seats are folded forward.
The petrol-powered Astra hatchback accommodates 422-1,339 litres of luggage for reference, so the electric model is a little less practical. Need more space? Opel will also offer an estate version of the Astra Electric.
Sit into the AGR-certified front seats and you'll find a modern, clean dashboard design. Opel's 'Pure Panel' layout comprises of two screens fitted into a single black panel. Rather than dazzle the driver with flashy graphics and a bombardment of information, the instrument display contains a rather minimalist look, presenting the most pertinent information to the driver. Opel's latest colour head-up display is one of the better ones on the market, especially when using the built-in navigation, as it presents easy-to-understand directions within your eye line.
The infotainment section of that Pure Panel display is angled towards the driver for convenience, and somewhat usefully, there are two rows of physical buttons immediately below it for frequently used functions such as the heated seats and cabin temperature. Other features available in the Astra Electric include a heated steering wheel and a heated windscreen, which are excellent for rapid winter defrosting. Opel also fits a heat pump as standard, which further boosts efficiency.
There is adequate room for passengers in the outer rear seats, making even the longest of journeys a comfortable experience. Middle-seat occupants lose a bit regarding legroom and space for their feet, as the Astra doesn't have a flat rear floor. However, there are central air vents and a USB charging port in the back.
Driving it
Of the many powertrain options available for the Astra, the electric one tested here is the most appealing. The 54kWh battery provides enough energy for an official 418 kilometres of driving - more than enough for the average daily commuter - but the range figure only tells part of the story. The official combined consumption figure of 14.8kWh/100km is respectable, but during our first drive we averaged just 12.9kWh/100km, thanks in part to a mostly urban route - though there were stretches of motorway driving, too.
From inside, the Astra is whisper quiet around town, highlighting how pleasant driving with electric propulsion can be - and the car's build quality. The 156hp motor feeds the power smoothly in its default drive mode. It gets away from traffic lights keenly and with little-to-no noise from the electric motor. There are no artificial sounds added to the powertrain, not even in Sport mode. Select that and the electric motor's response to accelerator pedal inputs sharpens, making the Astra feel quite zippy. The steering is light, even in that sportier mode, while the suspension setup feels nicely judged for the car. Bigger bumps are easily soaked up and the ride quality overall is well-damped. The Astra remains flat and composed through medium and faster-speed corners, and it's a similar story at a higher motorway pace. There, the cabin noise levels remain relatively low.
But it's in the city and urban driving where the Astra Electric delivers its best performance. The lower average speeds and increased opportunity for the electric motor to recuperate energy back into the 54kWh battery will please drivers that like to see low energy consumption figures on their trip computer. The force of the brake energy regeneration system can be increased by pressing the 'B' button, and it noticeably boosts energy recovery, though we'd like to see paddles behind the steering wheel to alter the level of regen over more levels.
What you get for your money
It will be a bit longer before Opel Ireland confirms pricing for the Astra Electric, as the car will not arrive in dealers until the latter part of the year. That leaves time for pricing to be thrashed out and the potential for any impact from the annual government budget to be taken into consideration as that could alter incentives for electric vehicles. When Irish pricing is confirmed, this section of the review will be updated.
Summary
The Opel Astra Electric works impressively well as an EV, despite the slightly smaller boot. A bonus is that an even more voluminous estate variant will join the five-door hatchback. The Astra's size, shape and weight give it very respectable real-world consumption figures that will provide ample cover for the majority of drivers. Confident handling and road-holding mixed with a healthy degree of in-car refinement add up to a great package.
