Our Fleet Test Drive: Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer - 3rd report
Date:
18 October 2011
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Author: Hugh Hunston
Astra front end
Fleets provide a sales sanctuary for lower medium estates facing increasing overall and internecine rivalry from compact SUVs and MPVs. Hence the more stylish Astra Sports Tourer is bracing itself for the new Zafira's arrival while the Meriva nibbles at its edges.
Our SRi's standard spec reflects that market pressure with daytime running lights and an electric parking brake. The wrap-round lights have aesthetic and higher visibility merit, but I'd prefer a hand-operated brake lever to the small finger-manipulated alternative. It saves central console space but is less than seamless to use.
Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer 1.7 CDTi SRi | Mileage | 1022 | Claimed combined consumption | 62.8mpg | Our average consumption | 47.1mpg | Forecast CPM | 54.7p | Actual CPM | 56.2p | Why we’re running it | To see if the latest Astra wagon can shake off its predecessors’ stigma of being a utilitarian workhorse. | Positive | Well made and easy on the eye | Negative | Early mpg lags behind official figures |
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