Vauxhall has put the updated Astra on sale in the UK from £27,495, widening the range with a new 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that comes as standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The car is offered in hatchback and estate Sports Tourer body styles, with the same pricing structure running across both.
The timing matters because buyers looking at the Astra now have more choice in one place, from conventional petrol to hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric versions. Vauxhall says the electric model now has a new battery that extends range by 22 miles to 281 miles, while the entry-level Griffin trim adds an illuminated Vizor front grille, 17-inch alloy wheels and a 10-inch Pure Panel display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
That new petrol option is aimed at drivers who want an automatic without moving into electrified powertrains. Vauxhall says the model will return 48.7mpg, which gives the Astra line-up a more affordable-feeling starting point as the brand refreshes the car’s sharper exterior design and keeps the hatchback and Sports Tourer versions aligned on price.
For now, the electric Astra also has a notable pricing edge over equivalent hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions thanks to the Electric Car Grant, but that advantage depends on support that is not guaranteed forever. That leaves the updated range attractive today, yet vulnerable to a change in the policy-backed maths that is helping the EV sit below its nearest rivals.
Higher up the range, the Ultimate specification adds Intelli-Lux LED headlights, heated and massaging seats and a wireless smartphone charger. The result is a broader Astra line-up that should give UK buyers a clearer choice between value, equipment and running-cost appeal, with the next question being how long the grant-backed electric price gap can hold.
