The Vauxhall Astra certainly has changed over generations : it is not made by General Motors, and rather underneath is now based on the same platform as the Citroen and Peugeot vehicles it used to compete with.

However, I think that Vauxhall has something which I think has been lacking for new EVs: efficiency and a normal driving feel.

Interestingly, I have spoken to owners of the previous generation Corsa-E. They have been disappointed with the range, notably in colder conditions. With the Astra however, the battery and drivetrain has been tweaked to increase usable capacity, as well as improve the WLTP range. Now, we are looking at 54kWh total (and apparently 53kWh usable according to my test), and 258 miles WLTP combined.

258 miles WLTP? No Way!

This sounded ridiculous: 4.9 miles/kWh is an actually insane level of efficiency. I might be able to do 4.4 miles/kWh in my Mk1 ZS EV on a good economy run. Every other car on test has barely given 3.4 miles/kWh on the range test (conducted on the motorway as a worst case scenario). So the question is, did the Astra pull it off?

The answer: Not quite, but managed to absolutely smash all the other vehicles tested at a similar speed, and at similar temperatures/weather.

I have tested the MG 4 Long Range, and with a 64kWh battery (more than the 54kWh Astra). It will return significantly less theoretical 100%-0% range. Watch the video above if you want to know more!

This demonstrates one aspect of EVs that needs to change: Efficiency. We focus on adding the largest batteries into cars to improve range, but while doing so not think of the consequences. In reality, what we need are EVs with an optimum battery size, whilst also being efficient. The Astra meets both these criteria.

For example, the car was not fully charged when I received it. I needed to cover the last 85 miles to my destination. Normally, this would be a 20 minute stop in my ZS EV. By the time I filmed a minute section, ran to the toilet and grabbed a coffee, I was done. That was 10 minutes tops. The car was topping out at 87kW, holding steady, and with the 4.5 mile/kWh efficiency was effectively charging at 391 MPH!

By the time I actually finished eating and checking an e-mail, I overcharged by about 30%, at 65p/kWh which I most certainly could have avoided at my destination @ 20p/kWh…

Another benefit is that although at home the difference is non-existent (I pay 6.9p/kWh as of May 2024), on the road, when rapid chargers vary from 65p-85p, that cost per mile drops to around parity with my old petrol car. Therefore, I can be at worse a little bit more expensive, and quids in as long as it is below 68p/kWh.

What about the car though?

To be brutally honest, the car is just a regular family car. My thoughts is that any family hatchback should be spacious, practical, good handling, and enough hard wearing plastics that your kids won’t ruin. The Astra is absolutely fine in that regard.

The only major compromise is the boot space is slightly smaller, but certainly still a usable space for a pram or a few suitcases.

It sticks like glue to the road, and although for most families this is not a huge selling point, I think a good amount of grip and a safe and compelling feeling is certainly a positive. What more can I say?

Any Downsides?

Just the 1: The list price.

It is simply too expensive, and I discuss this in the video. It is essentially £11,000 more than the equivalent petrol (on trim, motor does have more power). That is simply too much if you are purchasing a new car in cash. Other manufacturers do add on additional cost due to the batteries, but that is asking for too much.

However, currently as of writing, Vauxhall are offering all Vauxhall EVs with the same monthly payment and deposit, provided that you are happy to have another year of payments (which I’m sure would not be an issue if you are the type of person to use PCH or PCP). This essentially eliminates the issue with having a higher PCP payment, which is what I mentioned on the first edit of the video.

Therefore, if you are already considering a new Astra (after your PCP for your old one), or are annoyed that Ford stopped making the Focus, then I would not hesitate to recommend giving the Astra E a go. Vauxhall have made a good family hatchback, and with an electric powertrain, it is just that little bit sweeter.