In a segment that is dwindling in choice, with key rivals such as the Ford Focus discontinued as a result of unstoppable growth of SUV alternatives, the current Astra has always attracted our attention. Launched five years ago, with incoming facelifted versions due very soon, it remains compelling.

A previous ‘Best Family Car’ winner twice over, it won because both the Hatch and Sports Tourer estate versions look great, the hybrid and EV versions keep running costs low, and all models are well-equipped and affordable. So it was interesting to spend a couple of months with ‘Hybrid’ and ‘EV’ versions earlier this year.

The first of our Astras, was a hybrid Sports Tourer, in range-topping Ultimate trim. It carried a chunky P11D price at the time, of £33,805, but it did include niceties such as the heated seats and windscreen, plus Vauxhall’s excellent IntelliLux headlights.

Two petrol hybrid versions of the Vauxhall Astra were available pre-facelift (and will be again!): the plug-in hybrid with 192hp and the hybrid version tested here, with 143hp. It uses the 134hp, 1.2-litre petrol engine paired with a 21hp electric motor and a very small 0.89kWh battery, combined with a six-speed automatic gearbox. We found that the Astra has one of the best installations of this drivetrain, as it’s generally smooth in its transitions between petrol and electric power. In fact, its capable of running on electric power alone for short distances.

Yet, when needed, that battery also helps with acceleration, which feels quicker than Vauxhall’s quoted 9.0sec time. Impressively frugal, we saw almost 60mpg on long runs, with roughly two tanks of unleaded equaling the 1,000 miles we covered in this Astra. Doing this mileage wasn’t an issue either, as wind and road noise were pleasingly muted on faster roads - even on the biggest 18in wheels. Plus, the standard ‘Intelliseats,’ designed to reduce pressure on your tailbone - work! And the 1,634-litre boot’s practicality wasn’t tested during its time with us.

Hybrid to Electric

To replace this Astra Hybrid, Vauxhall then sent us the 156hp Astra Electric, also with the Sports Tourer body, but this time in GS trim priced at £31,495. Fitted with a 54kWh battery, our car in striking optional Athletic Blue paint (£650), had an official range of 256miles.

Still in the depth of Winter, we found the range was closer to 200 miles, which was more than enough for us not to need to charge, even on longer trips. Despite the extra 68kg of weight over the plug-in, performance was more than adequate, wth the Astra EVs handling best described as tidy and composed - probably helped here by the integrated battery design that Vauxhall says improves torsional rigidity.

The ride on our GS EV Sports Tourer was generally smooth on the ‘aerodynamically optimised 17in wheels.

Even more refined to drive than the Hybrid, downsides were the GS’s sports seats weren’t as comfortable as the standard ones, in our opinion. The raised footwell, thanks to the battery underneath, also equalled a less comfortable driving position, and the boot although still practical, was slightly smaller at 1,533 litres. Finally, GS trim despite being sportier, did without appreciated standard kit from the ‘Ultimate’ trim, such as the heated windscreen and IntelliLux headlights.

Other gripes, covering both Hybrid and EV versions, revolved around the infotainment and average rear space. We appreciated the 360-degree rear camera on both, but the fact the infotainment was so difficult to operate saw us using Apple CarPlay instead!

So, after three-months and around 2,500 miles, is the Astra still the best C-Segment choice from Stellantis? Closest to the Astra is the Peugeot 308. Recently facelifted, the Peugeot majors on its more premium positioning, and design. Yet, in our opinion the Astra is the more attractive design, doesn’t feel noticeably cheaper inside, and has better ergonomics, with more intuitive controls - as the Peugeot’s small steering wheel and high-set instruments still divide opinion!

The facelifted Vauxhall Astra, which we look forward to driving in due course, is likely to look even more tempting to fleets, thanks to the £39,995 starting price, plus the price parity between the hatch, and Sports Tourer bodystyles, and whether you choose ICE, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid power.