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Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer estate 1.5 Turbo D GS 5dr Auto Review

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The auto-only 128bhp 1.5-litre diesel isn’t the quickest estate out there and doesn’t have the perkiness of the petrols to warrant choosing it. Only worthwhile if you cover galactic mileages and need its mid-range pull to tow a 1500kg caravan.

1.5 Turbo D

Estate

Vauxhall has an incredibly diverse range of cars on sale, a few of which stand out above the class average. Add in the fact that it still offers some of the largest Target Price discounts in the market (something it is trying, without huge success, to cut back on), and there are very good reasons to consider buying one of its better models.

However, you need to choose carefully, because it is also a brand in transition. It has a newish parent company – the same one that owns Citroën, DS and Peugeot. And while Vauxhall’s newer models tend to be competitive, some of the others feel dated; a quick check of our star ratings will reveal which is which.

Still, given the recent success of sister brands Citroën and especially Peugeot, each new launch should make its range more appealing to buyers.

VAUXHALL

ASTRA

1.5 Turbo D GS 5dr Auto

15-turbo-d-gs-5dr-auto

ESC - Electronic Stability Control + traction control

Electric adjustable/heated/folding door mirrors + puddle lights

Electrically operated front and rear windows with safety auto reverse and one touch up/down facility

Intelli vision 360 degree panoramic parking camera

Lane departure warning with lane keep assist

8 Airbags - Driver's and front passenger's airbags, Front seat side-impact airbags and Full-size curtain airbags

Smartphone interface with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Wireless smartphone projection

Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer estate

The Vauxhall Astra Touring Sports continues to offer a fine estate car choice, but doesn't quite match the refinement, interior quality or passenger space of the best rivals. The plug-in hybrid is the most compelling choice in the range, and makes a solid case for itself against the competition.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Huge boot and excellent practicality</li> <li>Plenty of interior space so you can carry passengers as well as luggage </li> <li>Strong engines to pull a heavily laden car</li> <li>Comfortable ride, especially on the motorway</li> <li>Low running costs for company car drivers</li></ul>

If you’re after bags of space but you don’t want to commit to the van-like dimensions and styling of an MPV, there are some great estate cars on offer that should do the job.

Tricks to look out for include an electric tailgate&nbsp;that opens automatically when you wave your foot under the rear bumper; this is&nbsp;particularly handy if you’re trying to load in a heavy or&nbsp;bulky item. You should also look for handles in the side of the boot itself that can drop down the rear seats; these are much more convenient than having to walk around the side of the car to do it.

There are some terrific estates at most price ranges. The humble Skoda Fabia Estate offers cavernous space for not much cash at all, for example.

Further up the price range, another of our perennial favourites is the Skoda Superb Estate;&nbsp;it’s great to drive and as practical as most people should ever need. Meanwhile, for serious mile-munching ability and a premium, well-finished interior, it’s hard to look beyond the BMW 5 Series Touring.

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Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer estate 1.5 Turbo D GS 5dr Auto Review

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57.6

597

litres

129

g/km

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