Car buying - the purchase of anything with more than two doors and seats five in comfort has long been attributed to sensible behaviours, or at least that’s what we grew up believing. In the modern world though, there seems to be much more components affecting a purchase decision. For instance the rise in the number of cars on the roads despite the prices. Or for the matter, increasingly popular family estates despite shrinking family sizes.
So it seems owning a wagon does not mean one always have loads to lug around town. Knowing that you could when the occasion calls for it, or having the extra space over a sensible family sedan triumphs it all.
This brings us to the Opel Sports Tourer. Likely its marketing department at work, Opel’s latest compact wagon is one of the three distinct body styles in the Astra lineup (GTC and Astra Hatch being the other two). Unlike the GTC, the Sports Tourer shares the same underpinnings as the five-door hatch. Essentially, the wagon is a stretched-version of the hatchback.
Exterior
The Sports Tourer carries an identical front fascia and door panels as the hatchback. What sets them apart is that the tourer has a 28cm extension from the C-pillar onwards, resulting in an overall length of 4.7 metres.
So it seems owning a wagon does not mean one always have loads to lug around town. Knowing that you could when the occasion calls for it, or having the extra space over a sensible family sedan triumphs it all.
This brings us to the Opel Sports Tourer. Likely its marketing department at work, Opel’s latest compact wagon is one of the three distinct body styles in the Astra lineup (GTC and Astra Hatch being the other two). Unlike the GTC, the Sports Tourer shares the same underpinnings as the five-door hatch. Essentially, the wagon is a stretched-version of the hatchback.
Exterior
The Sports Tourer carries an identical front fascia and door panels as the hatchback. What sets them apart is that the tourer has a 28cm extension from the C-pillar onwards, resulting in an overall length of 4.7 metres.
Despite the grown dimensions, the Sports Tourer manages to shed off the bulky looks with the tapered rump – its practicality-inclined motives only betrayed by the more obtrusive rear overhangs.
Local variants receive the more conventional reflector-style headlamps, lacking the polished look from projector-styled ones found in higher spec models. Individuals after a more purposeful look will also find the five-spoke alloys a tad puny. Otherwise, the wagon’s amiable look is pleasant and easy to get along with.
Local variants receive the more conventional reflector-style headlamps, lacking the polished look from projector-styled ones found in higher spec models. Individuals after a more purposeful look will also find the five-spoke alloys a tad puny. Otherwise, the wagon’s amiable look is pleasant and easy to get along with.
Interior
Clearly, the interior spaces are most often used as a benchmark to determine a cruiser’s practicality. Benefitting from the extended exterior dimensions, the Sports Tourer will see to a fuss-free experience for both passengers and load carrying. In fact at 500 litres, the wagon offers one of the largest boot space in its class. In comparison, the Ford Focus Wagon boasts a boot volume of 476 litres, 24 shy of the Astra’s.
Clearly, the interior spaces are most often used as a benchmark to determine a cruiser’s practicality. Benefitting from the extended exterior dimensions, the Sports Tourer will see to a fuss-free experience for both passengers and load carrying. In fact at 500 litres, the wagon offers one of the largest boot space in its class. In comparison, the Ford Focus Wagon boasts a boot volume of 476 litres, 24 shy of the Astra’s.
Besides standing out in terms of load lugging capabilities, the wagon’s interior is well equipped. The central console features a touch-screen infotainment display, equipped with Bluetooth connectivity and doubles as a monitor for the rear-view camera.
Up front, the cruiser sports an instrument panel found in the marque’s more recent offerings. Layout of the switches is generally intuitive and fuss-free to operate. Buttons too exude solid build quality.
Taking a closer peek, the uni-tone interior may seem a tad bland especially at the rear, with the only contrast being the red stitching on the cushions and trims.
Up front, the cruiser sports an instrument panel found in the marque’s more recent offerings. Layout of the switches is generally intuitive and fuss-free to operate. Buttons too exude solid build quality.
Taking a closer peek, the uni-tone interior may seem a tad bland especially at the rear, with the only contrast being the red stitching on the cushions and trims.
The Drive
The 1.4-litre engine in the Sports Tourer is the smallest among the range in Opel’s stable. The force-fed powerplant has a torquey characteristic akin to many we have sampled, with a decent amount of punch available from low to mid revs. That said, the powerplant does suffer from the usual turbo lags.
In comparison, one cannot simply expect the Sports Tourer to perform the same way the GTC does (although they bear an identical engine under the hood), considering the substantial heft it has gained for practicality. Helped by a weighted steering feel, the Sports Tourer is still a pleasure to pilot – the hydraulic power steering playing a big part in this. Brakes too, are sensitive and leave no doubts about its speed-shredding prowess.
True to its moniker, the tourer is impressive when it comes to comfort on the road. It delivers a ride that is comparable to that of premium continental offerings, with its serenity within the cabin most apparent while cruising on the highways.
With the softer damping however, it is no surprise that the car suffers from inherent body rolls – which should be less of a cause for worry because it was never meant to be driven hard around corners.
The 1.4-litre engine in the Sports Tourer is the smallest among the range in Opel’s stable. The force-fed powerplant has a torquey characteristic akin to many we have sampled, with a decent amount of punch available from low to mid revs. That said, the powerplant does suffer from the usual turbo lags.
In comparison, one cannot simply expect the Sports Tourer to perform the same way the GTC does (although they bear an identical engine under the hood), considering the substantial heft it has gained for practicality. Helped by a weighted steering feel, the Sports Tourer is still a pleasure to pilot – the hydraulic power steering playing a big part in this. Brakes too, are sensitive and leave no doubts about its speed-shredding prowess.
True to its moniker, the tourer is impressive when it comes to comfort on the road. It delivers a ride that is comparable to that of premium continental offerings, with its serenity within the cabin most apparent while cruising on the highways.
With the softer damping however, it is no surprise that the car suffers from inherent body rolls – which should be less of a cause for worry because it was never meant to be driven hard around corners.
Conclusion
There is no denying that the latest estate from Opel is the least eyebrow raising among the trio presented under the new local dealership – not as attention seeking as the GTC coupe or blessed with the eye-catching ‘boomerang’ headlamps on the Zafira.
What it is blessed with however, are attributes that make it an accomplished tourer, most noteworthy being the plush ride comfort, which propels it towards the ranks of bigger players in its segment.
The Astra has been a credited name in other parts of the globe, especially the western continents. The latest estate variant has come to show the firm’s commitment in further establishing itself in the industry. We reckon it deserves more than a second wink.
There is no denying that the latest estate from Opel is the least eyebrow raising among the trio presented under the new local dealership – not as attention seeking as the GTC coupe or blessed with the eye-catching ‘boomerang’ headlamps on the Zafira.
What it is blessed with however, are attributes that make it an accomplished tourer, most noteworthy being the plush ride comfort, which propels it towards the ranks of bigger players in its segment.
The Astra has been a credited name in other parts of the globe, especially the western continents. The latest estate variant has come to show the firm’s commitment in further establishing itself in the industry. We reckon it deserves more than a second wink.
