Opel/Vauxhall Astra K Sports Tourer

Last year, GM Europe had introduced the all-new Opel/Vauxhall Astra K, a new generation of the hatchback that was once used as Top Gear's Reasonably Priced Car and it was a major improvement to its predecessor in terms of technology, driving dynamics, and user friendliness. For those who want to have the same feel of the hatchback but with some added space, look no further with the Sports Tourer variant.

2016 Opel Astra Sports Tourer

2016 Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer

The new Sports Tourer variant for the all-new Astra K offers the same technology, driving dynamics, and user friendliness as the hatchback version, now with an additional 26 millimeters of headroom and 28 millimeters more legroom at the back. As for the spacing, it can now accommodate up to 1,630 liters of luggage space courtesy of its optional foldable rear seats, which is more than enough to fill in some haul from your estate sale list. Sounds practical but why would you want to?

Like the hatchback version, the Sports Tourer comes with the same choice of engines such as the new 1.0T SIDI, 1.4L, 1.4L SIDI Turbo, 1.6 SIDI Turbo, and a 1.6L CDTi (with an available Bi-Turbo) engine. They can be fitted, depending on the engine type, with either a 5-speed or a 6-speed manual but there are some gearboxes made specifically for some engine choices, like the 1.0L model which can be fitted exclusively with a 5-speed EasyTronic gearbox while a 6-speed automatic gearbox can be fitted on either a 1.4 EDIT ecoFLEX or a 1.6 CDTi ecoFLEX engine.

Because it uses the same new platform as the new Chevrolet Cruze had, a base Sports Tourer weighs 130kg lighter than the old model, resulting to a better handling, better comfort, better fuel consumption, and above all, cost-effective as well. Even with an added room in the back, the Sports Tourer behaves just like the hatchback. Not only it feels good to drive but it's surprisingly comfortable as well.

The Sports Tourer also comes with an array of safety tech such as the front camera system, advanced park assist which allows this car to park by itself, and the IntelliLux LED Matrix headlights which adjusts automatically depending on time and driving conditions.

Should you buy one? The new Sports Tourer starts at 18,260 Euros (16,585 Pounds) and it's a thousand more than the hatchback equivalent but considering this car's been through extensive testing, the new Sports Tourer is a smart buy for first timers who are looking for something practical enough to get through one estate sale after another, if they got some room in the boot to fill in their shopping cart full of stuff.

Photo: General Motors