Update: All sections of the story have been revised.
Introduced in 2021, the latest Vauxhall Astra Tourer is the first instalment in its six generations to be available as a fully electric model. The compact car is one of the few electric estate models in the UK, and for the 2026 model year, it has undergone a mid-life update.
The 2026 Vauxhall Astra Electric arrives at dealer showrooms in July, but we had a chance to explore its Opel-badged counterpart in person at a media event recently. Here are our thoughts about the new electric estate:
Design
The 2026 Vauxhall Astra Tourer Electric features subtle exterior revisions that lend it a sharper and more progressive look. The new electric estate features an illuminated brand logo at the front, along with compass-inspired light strips that illuminate with the DRLs inside the headlamps.
Vauxhall offers the 2026 Astra Tourer Electric with new, Intelli-Lux HD headlamps that feature an adaptive, glare-free light beam and project a more intense appearance.
A redesigned bumper and a new honeycomb pattern in the A-shaped functional grille add to the car’s sporty styling. On the sides, the updated model features new 18-inch alloy wheels, while the rear is no different from the old model.
Interior
The 2026 Vauxhall Astra Tourer Electric’s interior gets a new scratch-resistant satin grey finish across hard surfaces, physical buttons for key functions such as the radio, climate control and drive modes, and an improved seven-colour ambient lighting system.
As before, the central section of the dashboard is angled towards the driver, improving access to the infotainment touchscreen and climate controls. The flat centre console has a clean look and provides visual continuity in a cabin with a deliberately asymmetric dashboard design.
Vauxhall says the 2026 Astra Tourer Electric offers enhanced comfort for the driver and front passenger with Intelli-Seats that feature a recessed channel running up the middle of the front seat bases. The company also offers AGR-certified front seats with massage and memory functions, electro-pneumatic lumbar support, and heating.
For buyers seeking the highest specification, the top-of-the-range Ultimate variant comes fully loaded with an extended Head-Up Display (Intelli-HUD), a wireless device charger, and the Intelli-Drive 1.0 advanced driver assistance suite.
Experience in the 2026 Opel Astra Tourer Electric
Getting into the facelifted Opel Astra Tourer requires some care because it is a low-roof vehicle. The doors open wide, but I still had to watch my head. Once seated as a six-footer, I found good back support. Shoulder support feels acceptable, and headroom is good.
The headrest is height adjustable, which helped me set a comfortable head position. Side support feels adequate, and under-thigh support feels more than acceptable for my frame.
Outward visibility is fine. The windscreen is not especially large, but I could see well to the front and sides, and rear visibility felt usable. The steering wheel feels grippy, and the centre armrest feels alright for basic support.
With the front seat set to my driving position, the rear seat is tight for a six-footer, even though the front seatbacks are sculpted, and the estate has a longer wheelbase than the Astra hatchback.
Headroom in the rear is still acceptable, and the rear headrest is adjustable. The rear bench includes a fold-down centre armrest with two cupholders.
The backrest angle is fixed and the seat does not recline. Rear passengers get air vents and a USB port. Small rear quarter glass panels help bring light into the cabin, but rear space remains limited for tall adults, and seating three across would be uncomfortable as a centre tunnel is present.
Specifications
The 2026 Opel Astra Tourer Electric is available in only one configuration, carried over from the outgoing model. A front-mounted motor produces 115 kW (154 bhp) and 270 Nm (199 lb.-ft.) of torque, allowing the electric estate to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 9.5 seconds and achieve a top speed of 170 km/h (106 mph).
For the updated model year, Vauxhall has equipped the Astra Electric with a larger 58.3 kWh battery. This capacity increase boosts the Sports Tourer’s preliminary WLTP range to 276 miles (+22 miles) on a single charge.
Like the 54 kWh unit, it supports charging at up to 11 kW (AC) and 100 kW (DC), with the former taking 3 hours 20 minutes for 20-80% SoC, and the latter needing 32 minutes (+6 minutes) for the same.
Furthermore, Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability and battery pre-conditioning are now included as standard features to optimise charging efficiency and versatility.
Price & Release date
Available to order in June, Vauxhall has introduced an industry-unique pricing structure for the updated Astra line-up, which now starts at £29,995 OTR, and tops out at £33,995 OTR. The fully-electric, plug-in hybrid, and hybrid versions all cost exactly the same across every respective trim level.
Trained as an automobile engineer, I’ve been following the global car market since 2005. Over the past 17 years, I’ve been involved in online automotive analysis and publishing, traveling the world to drive, evaluate, and experience new cars and technologies.
