Vauxhall Astra goes on sale priced from £27,495

Vauxhall’s updated Astra has gone on sale in the UK, priced from £27,495.

Available in both hatchback and estate Sports Tourer specifications, the Astra has been given a sharper exterior design over its predecessor.

All cars get a high level of standard equipment. Highlights on entry-level Griffin models include an illuminated ‘Vizor’ front grille, 17-inch alloy wheels and a 10-inch ‘Pure Panel’ display with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Vauxhall is also offering the Astra with a series of powertrain options, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid, alongside an electric model. The EV, in particular, benefits from a new battery which boosts range by 22 miles to 281 miles. The electric Astra also undercuts equivalent hybrid and plug-in hybrid models thanks to the Electric Car Grant.

A new 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine has also been added to the line-up for the Astra, and comes as standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Vauxhall claims a fuel consumption figure of 48.7mpg for this model, while It also acts as the entry point to the entire range with its starting price of £27,495.

Astra hatchback and Sports Tourer models are also priced identically throughout the specifications list, meaning that there is no penalty price-wise for choosing one or the other. As before, a range-topping Ultimate specification introduces the highest level of equipment with features such as Intelli-Lux LED headlights, heated and massaging seats and a wireless smartphone charger.