Reviews of the Vauxhall Astra-e Hatchback

The Vauxhall Astra-e is an electric family car that's leading Vauxhall's charge into the age of electrification. Perfect for those looking for a good all-rounder, the Astra-e is great to drive, looks fantastic, and offers over 200 miles of range. 

Rivals to the Astra-e include the Cupra Born, MG4 EV, Peugeot e-308, and Volkswagen ID.3. 

Our Vauxhall Astra-e review covers:

• Aerodynamic exterior that looks good 
• Pleasant interior with a driver-oriented cabin
• 352-litre boot 
• 54kWh battery paired with 158PS electric motor 
• Three trim levels 

Pros:

• Good to drive around town 
• Looks good 
• Plenty of equipment on the standard trim 

Cons:

• Cabin is not as good as its rivals 
• Boot space on the small side 
• Charging speeds aren't great 

The Astra has always been a sleek-looking car, and the electric version is no different. Its sharp front end, small front grille, slim headlights, and aerodynamic body are great to look at. Vauxhall has done a pretty good job.  

Climb inside the Astra-e, and there's plenty of space in the front. Two adults can get comfortable thanks to ample head and legroom, and there's ample storage space on the centre console. Things are a bit tighter in the rear; two passengers can easily fit, but add a third, and it becomes a little claustrophobic. It falls short of the MG4 EV and Volkswagen ID.3 for rear space. 

The Astra-e's boot space is 352 litres, which is about what you'd expect for an electric hatchback, albeit a bit on the small side. You can extend the boot to 1,268 litres by folding down the rear seats, and there's a small load lip that makes loading items not too taxing on the back and knees.  

Like many of its rivals, Vauxhall has made a big effort to make the Astra-e's interior seem premium, and I'd say they've done a decent job. The cabin looks good on the eye, and there are some nice materials dotted around, such as soft-touch plastics and a gloss-black trim on the centre console. 

The Astra-e has a driver-oriented dashboard, with all technology slightly pointing in the direction of the driver. You get a pair of 10-inch displays, one for the infotainment system and one for the driver's display. They look pretty good, but after a while, you'll notice they aren't particularly smooth and can be laggy at times. Vauxhall has considered this, though, and smartphone mirroring comes as standard. 

Three trims are available for the Astra-e: Design, GS, and Ultimate. 

Design has 18-inch bi-colour alloy wheels, a pair of 10-inch displays on the dash, keyless start, lane departure warning, rear parking sensors, traffic sign recognition, and active cruise control. 

GS adds keyless entry, heated seats and steering wheel, front and rear parking sensors, and intelli-vision. 

Ultimate has 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, IntelliLux pixel headlights, a heated windscreen, and Alcantara suede seats.   

The Astra-e has just one battery and motor combination. You get a 158PS electric motor paired with a 54kWh battery that returns up to 256 miles of range on a single charge. 

The powertrain propels the car from 0 to 60mph in 9.2 seconds and tops out at 105mph. 

In terms of charging, you can fully charge using a 7kW wall box in eight hours. Fast charging of up to 100kW is available, taking the battery from 20% to 80% in just under half an hour.

The Astra-e can stake its claim as one of the best electric family hatchbacks to drive. It's composed and comfortable around town and more than capable of being on the motorway or a country lane. 

Like most electric cars, the Astra-e is at its best around town. The instant power provided by the electric motor makes it a breeze to get off the mark, and the steering is light and accurate, making turns and parking pretty simple. 

In stop-start traffic, you can also take advantage of the Astra-e's brake regeneration, which helps boost electric range when braking. 

As you increase the speed, the Astra-e can get you up to speed relatively quickly. Once at 70mph, you'll notice a bit of road and wind noise, but it's nothing severe. You can cruise along comfortably thanks to adaptive cruise control, which is standard. 

Prices for the new Vauxhall Astra-e start from £34,040.00 OTR* or to lease from £455.26 per month.

Looking to get behind the wheel of the Vauxhall Astra-e? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.

Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.

*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.