Say hello to…
…the Astra Electric, the pure EV version of the Vauxhall’s mid-size family hatchback. FleetandLeasing.com has already tested the plug-in hybrid versions; both the regular and the sportier GSe versions. However, Vauxhall is now offering a fully-electric powertrain with an official range of 258 miles from a 54kWh battery.
Vauxhall is keeping the range simple with three trim levels:
- Design
- GS Line
- Ultimate
Standard equipment on the Design trim level includes 16-inch alloys, LED headlights, LED front fog lights, high-beam assist, front and rear parking sensors, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, speed sign recognition, driver drowsiness alert, cruise control, 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, 10-inch digital instrument cluster, satnav, Bluetooth, wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, 2x USB sockets, connected services, climate control, split-fold rear seats, auto wipers, powered door mirrors and keyless start.
GS Line adds traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, 360-degree parking camera, dual-zone climate control, heated steering wheel, heated front seats, sports seats, front centre arm rest, keyless entry, laminated side windows, 17-inch alloys and sports body kit.
Ultimate specification adds uprated headlights, blind spot alert, rear cross traffic alert, head-up display, wireless charging, heated and soundproofed windscreen, alcantara trim and a panoramic sunroof.
Is The Vauxhall Astra Electric Suitable For My Fleet
Going fully electric not only really suits the Astra, but makes it even more attractive to company car drivers with a drop in the BIK rating from 8% with the PHEV down to 2% for the EV.
The rest of the Astra is almost entirely unchanged in terms of practicality with same 352-litre boot that the PHEV has (admittedly down on the petrol car’s 422 litres).
Leasing A Vauxhall Astra Electric
Intelligent Car Leasing is offering the top specification Astra Electric for £552 a month on a 3+36 contract with 10,000 miles per year. A figure that’s very close to the equivalent Astra PHEV. Maintenance should be competitive too, according to Gensen Reports which forecasts £28 a month.
Driving A Vauxhall Astra Electric
So much about the electric Astra is identical to the rest of the range and that’s a great thing. It means the car still looks impressive from the outside, has a clean cabin styling with comfortable seats and a good list of standard equipment. The car also drives very well.
We’ve written before that the Astra is amazingly refined. Now that it’s fully electric this is even more the case. The steering is also precise and well-weighted and the car has good body control with firm, but not overly so, ride comfort. All this combines to create a very relaxing daily driver and a car you can happily cover high mileage in or just use for local journeys.
What’s more the safety systems such as lane keeping and speed limit awareness aren’t too intrusive if left on and are easy to turn off in the menu system.
The Astra also has great low-speed manoeuverability thanks to a small turning circle.
The only annoying carry-over from the rest of the Astra range is that if you’re a taller driver the pedals seem set too close to the seat. And if you slide the seat back to compensate you can end up fractionally far back from the steering wheel and definitely too far from the touchscreen for operation without leaning forward.
In terms of the electric power, the 156hp motor is a good option. Many rivals offer more powerful electric motors, these can add to a car’s fun factor, but the Astra proves you don’t need it to have an enjoyable drive. What’s more the lower power means you’re likely to be more efficient.
Having said that in low, but not freezing temperatures we recorded an efficiency figure of just over 3.5 miles per kWh. Not bad, but with a 50.8kWh useable battery, that only equates to a 180 mile range.
Rapid charging maxes out at 100kW, so while that’s fine for longer journey use, it’s hardly impressive.
FleetandLeasing.com Verdict On The Vauxhall Astra Electric
Easy to use and live with, the Astra Electric has to be the fleet pick of the Astra range.
Vauxhall Astra
- Model: Astra Electric Ultimate
- Power: 156hp
- Torque: 270Nm
- Max speed: 105mph
- 0-62mph: 9.2s
- Official range: 258 miles
- Test range: 180 miles
- CO2 emissions: 0g/km
- BIK tax band 2023/24: 2%
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