Our cars: Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer - August

Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer 2.0 CDTi SRi automatic

Week ending August 26
Current mileage 17,799
Miles driven this week 787

The Astra’s just returned from a week away in Cornwall and Devon with its head held high.

My girlfriend, her son, Connor, and I don’t pack lightly, but almost all our luggage fitted in the boot below the load cover (the rest was stored behind the driver’s seat). This kept our things out of sight of prying eyes and left the view out of the rear window unobstructed.

The Astra was also comfortable and relaxing to drive on the 280-mile journey to the south-west, which helped keep everyone calm when we got stuck in yet another traffic jam.

As small family estates go, the Astra is practically perfect holiday transport.
Neil.Williams@whatcar.com


Week ending August 12
Current mileage 16,225
Miles driven this week 630

When I'm not behind a camera lens at work, I love riding my mountain bike through the Oxfordshire and Wiltshire countryside with my mates. That means fitting a bike rack to the Astra's tailgate.

Thankfully it's far easier than it is on some other estates, such as my girlfriend's Skoda Octavia. The hooks that grasp the roof and edges of the tailgate fit snugly, making the rack simple to get on and off, and the rack's feet sit securely on the bumper, keeping everything secure on the move.

If only I was as secure on my bike sometimes!

Neil.Williams@whatcar.com