Opel Astra Sports Tourer Hybrid (180 hp): first drive

If the Kadett is included, the new Opel Astra Sports Tourer (L generation) represents the German brand’s 11th generation of estate cars in this segment, and it is set to be among its most important.

It is, after all, the first Opel estate developed since the marque left GM in 2017 and joined PSA, now Stellantis. As a result, the new Astra Sports Tourer has close family links with models of “French blood”, including the Peugeot 308 SW, which has recently arrived on the Portuguese market.

Both cars use the EMP2 platform and share their powertrains - including the 180 hp plug-in hybrid tested here - raising the question of whether this new contender retains any of the German DNA that Opel is so keen to champion.

Diogo Teixeira travelled to Rüsselsheim, Germany, Opel’s headquarters and the production site for the new Astra generation - both hatchback and estate - for an initial dynamic drive to find out.

There is still room for estate cars

Estate cars remain chiefly a European phenomenon, although even in this final stronghold they are under pressure from SUVs and crossovers. It is worth celebrating that manufacturers are still investing in this body style, and the new Opel Astra Sports Tourer has no shortage of strengths.

As expected, it is longer than the Astra hatchback - by 268 mm - while also standing 39 mm taller and featuring a wheelbase that is 57 mm longer. Interestingly, however, its wheelbase is 60 mm shorter than that of its predecessor.

Naturally, the interior dimensions benefit from this. The new Astra Sports Tourer claims 597 l of boot capacity, placing it very close to the class benchmarks. In this plug-in hybrid version, though, capacity falls to 516 l because of the 12.4 kWh battery installed beneath the boot floor.

It is also worth noting that moving the number plate to the tailgate - it is mounted on the bumper on the hatchback - has allowed Opel to lower the Sports Tourer’s boot loading height by 10 cm. It now sits at 60 cm, making it easier to load bulkier or heavier items.

A longer wheelbase might be expected to improve rear passengers’ legroom, but the available space proves merely adequate rather than as generous as that offered by some rivals.

Up to 60 km in electric mode

The new Opel Astra Sports Tourer also stands out for its broad engine line-up, comprising petrol options - the 1.2 Turbo with 110 hp and 130 hp - the 1.5 Turbo D diesel with 130 hp, and plug-in hybrids with 180 hp and 225 hp.

The 180 hp plug-in hybrid is the “star” of the video. It combines a 150 hp 1.6 Turbo petrol engine with a 110 hp electric motor, delivering respectable performance, as demonstrated by its claimed 0–100 km/h time of 7.7 seconds and 225 km/h top speed.

The 12.4 kWh battery that powers the electric motor provides up to 60 km of range on the combined WLTP cycle, rising to as much as 72 km in urban driving.

This first drive was too brief to examine consumption properly with the battery charged and discharged. However, after the 72 km route, the trip computer showed an average of 1.8 l/100 km. That figure was only possible because the battery was fully charged at the beginning of the test.

As we have said many times, plug-in hybrids only make sense if they are charged regularly. In the case of the Opel Astra Sports Tourer Hybrid, a full battery charge takes a minimum of 1 hr 55 min.

Is the Opel Astra Sports Tourer still German?

The plug-in hybrid powertrain in the Opel Astra Sports Tourer is exactly the same as the one found in its French “cousin”, the Peugeot 308 SW, as well as in several other models across the Stellantis range.

Nevertheless, Opel has succeeded in giving the Astra a character of its own - arguably a far more Germanic one - not only through its exterior and interior design, but also through the driving experience.

Its highly comfortable AGR-certified seats are exclusive to the Astra, while the suspension has a more assured, firmer setup intended for German autobahns. This creates an unusual and intriguing blend of a controlled ride and onboard comfort.

It also proved very quiet and refined, attributes that are particularly appreciated on long autobahn journeys at high cruising speeds.

Arrival date and price

The new Opel Astra Sports Tourer will be available to order in Portugal from next October, with deliveries scheduled for the first quarter of 2023.

The German brand has not yet announced prices for the full range, but Opel has confirmed that the Astra Sports Tourer Hybrid (180 hp) will start at 39,750 euros.