New Opel Astra: Electric Maturity and German Precision Through the Curves of Croatia
We tested it along the coastal roads of Croatia: the new Opel Astra presents itself not as a total revolution, but as a necessary and conscious evolution. Although the aesthetics may be misleading, making it seem like the version we already knew, beneath the surface and in some key details, the German compact car takes a decisive step forward towards maturity, especially in its plug-in variants.
As always, you can find the entire first test drive condensed in our video:
Aesthetics: The Opel Vizor Lights Up
The most obvious change is concentrated at the front. The stylistic heart remains the Opel Vizor, that black strip integrating headlights and sensors, but it now evolves. For the first time, the light signature is enriched with horizontal and vertical LED elements and, above all, the illuminated Opel logo. This choice is not only aesthetic but becomes a constant distinctive feature, as these elements stay on even as daytime running lights.
The rest of the body maintains sharp lines and the characteristic central crease on the hood. We tested both the Sport Tourer (station wagon) and the 5-seat sedan, noticing how the different trims (Edition, GS, Ultimate) play with glossy black inserts to differentiate the character of the vehicle.
IntelliLux Technology: Safety in the Details
One of Opel’s historic strengths is lighting, and with this update, the IntelliLux Pixel LED technology reaches a new level. The system now boasts 50,000 LED elements (25,000 per side).
The practical advantage? Surgical precision in creating shadow zones around preceding or crossing vehicles, minimizing unlit spaces. This translates into increased lateral visibility: road signs or potential obstacles on the roadside are identified about 30-40 meters earlier than before.
Interiors: Substance and AGR Seats
Onboard, the setup remains that clean of the Pure Panel. Two 10-inch displays manage instrumentation and infotainment, with renewed graphics that we found clear and not distracting. Kudos for the choice to maintain physical buttons for the main functions, a rarity appreciated in an era of extreme digital minimalism.
Materials:
A good combination of soft plastics and Alcantara upholstery. Some plastic inserts imitating satin metal are less convincing, revealing room for improvement in quality upon touch.
Comfort:
A mandatory mention for the AGR-certified seats. Firm enough and equipped with numerous adjustments, they remain a benchmark in the segment for those who travel many kilometers.
Space:
The rear space is decent, although the multi-energy EMP2 platform necessitates the presence of a central tunnel, slightly limiting foot movement for the fifth passenger.
Engines: More Range and Efficiency
The real technical novelty lies in the efficiency of the propulsion systems.
100% Electric Version:
The front motor delivers 115 kW (156 hp) with 270 Nm of torque. The battery increases to 58 kWh, bringing the declared range to 454 km (445 km for the Sport Tourer). During the test, we appreciated the management of regenerative braking via the paddles on the steering wheel: level 3 is notably effective, ideal for urban driving. An interesting note: the debut of the V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) system, allowing external electric devices to be powered directly from the car’s battery.
Plug-in Hybrid Version:
The PHEV variant raises the power bar to 196 hp. The 17.2 kWh battery (significantly larger than the previous 12.4 kWh) promises over 80 km of range in EV mode. In our mixed test, we exceeded 70 km at zero emissions, confirming that the declared figures are very close to actual usage.
Driving Dynamics and Load Capacity
Despite its relationship with the Stellantis group, the Astra maintains a deeply German DNA. Designed and built in Rüsselsheim, it offers a stiffer setup and more direct steering compared to, for example, a Peugeot 308.
Regarding load capacity, the Sport Tourer offers a regular trunk of 516 liters (which exceeds 1,600 liters with the seats down), while the sedan stops at 352 liters in the electric version. The structural limit of the common platform results in a slight loss of capacity compared to thermal versions, due to the bulk of the batteries at the rear.
Late but Here
The new Opel Astra seems to have reached the maturity that was perhaps lacking at the launch of the L series. The software is more intuitive, the electric range is now reassuring, and the driving dynamics remain true to the brand's tradition. A practical choice for those looking for a technologically advanced car without sacrificing daily ease of use.
Price List
As is now customary, Opel maintains a simple and schematic price list. Here we report only the prices for the electric versions, but in reality, the car has its starting price with the Hybrid variant, which starts at 32,450 euros.
| Trim | 5p Sedan | Sport Tourer |
|---|---|---|
| Edition | €39,900 | €41,100 |
| GS | €42,000 | €43,200 |
| Ultimate | €44,150 | €45,800 |
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