REVIEW: The long-awaited Vauxhall Astra Electric has arrived in the UK - time to find out if it offers anything memorable
But the exterior is sleek while the interior is bold. The bonnet looks a bit odd, to me, when you look down it from inside. Instead of beefing up the wheel arches to add muscle, its prominent centre line is reminiscent of some curved-hood 1950s Americana.
Until recently, Vauxhall/Opel continued that central exterior feature line into the interior, but now the dashboard is broad and boldly accented horizontally, with two clear 10in displays – one instruments, one touchscreen – with soft-touch materials above but hard materials in the lower cabin. The generously sized and firmly comfortable front seats are some of the best around, and the driving position is good. Ergonomically, this being a Stellantis product on a group platform, it’s mixed. Temperature controls are buttons, as they should be, but changing their distribution – notably disabling a centre vent that seems keen to blow air on somebody, anybody, and whose breeze can’t be stopped in isolation – is on the screen, as it shouldn’t be.
It is, however, extremely efficient. Its modest battery gives a WLTP range of 258 miles. We saw 4.3mpkWh without trying, which equates to an easy 220-mile range, albeit at 20deg C. So if you or, as likely, somebody who works for you decides you ought to have one, it should be an easy if unmemorable EV to live with.
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