VAUXHALL ASTRA ELECTRIC

Electric hatchback pre-empts its UK rollout with an appearance in LHD form

- MATT PRIOR

TESTED 11.7.23, OXFORDSHIRE ON SALE AUGUST

The Vauxhall Astra Electric has arrived in the UK, albeit still only in left-hand-drive form for the time being.

Its pricing announcement in May raised a few eyebrows. The battery-powered Astra is available in two specifications and starts at a fiver under £40,000, with the upper-spec Ultimate costing £43,110. At the top level it's Tesla Model 3 money.

Maybe that's why Vauxhall is keen to note that you can have one from £263 per month on 0% finance for three years, although this includes a £12k deposit and an £18.2k balloon payment. Anyway, as ever the company car tax case is compelling, and the rest of the equation might revolve around what your company pays.

The electric Astra is a 4.4m-long small family hatch, just like the petrol and plug-in hybrid versions. The battery is 51kWh (usable), and while the associated gubbins steals a little floor space in the boot (although you still get 350 litres), it adds torsional rigidity to the platform. It is front-wheel drive and has a 153bhp, 199lb ft motor, giving a modest 9.2sec 0-62mph time.