Error parsing XSLT file: \xslt\FacebookOpenGraph.xslt Our Fleet Test Drive: Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer - 4th report
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Our Fleet Test Drive: Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer - 4th report

Date: 03 November 2011   |   Author: Hugh Hunston

Side profile

Vauxhall aims to cast off the 'van with windows' stigma that characterised previous Astra wagons by producing the more stylish Sports Tourer. However, lower medium estate cars remain essentially practical vehicles.

Thankfully, form is not dominant over function, particularly in our ST's loading bay. Folding the rear seats on a 60/40 basis involves handy, quick-release push buttons set into the side panels under the tailgate, or more conventional levers mounted beside the headrests.

Access to luggage, equipment or work samples is rendered easier by touching a panel on the Astra hatch cover's trailing edge to raise the canopy, even if you need to remember to pull it back down to avoid limited rear view vision when driving off.

Having disappointed on consumption, our 1.7-litre Ecoflex-engined Astra flattered to deceive as we approached 1800 miles. Some

240 miles of mixed A-roads and motorways were completed at an encouraging 50mpg, but the most recent 432 miles saw the figure slump back to 45mpg. It's strange because at the motorway limit the engine turns over at a leisurely 2000rpm.

Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer 1.7 CDTi SRi
Mileage1800
Claimed combined
consumption
62.8mpg
Our average
consumption
45.6mpg
Forecast CPM54.7p
Actual CPM56.5p
Why we’re running itTo see if the latest
Astra wagon can shake off
its predecessors’ stigma of
being a utilitarian workhorse.
PositiveLoading bay
access, seat folding
NegativeDoor mirrors don’t fold



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