Until now, UK drivers looking for an all-electric estate car had only one option to consider – the MG5. This is now being changed by Stellantis, which is introducing electric versions of two of its lower-medium estate cars – the Peugeot 308 SW, and the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer we’re looking at here. The Sports Tourer Electric (like the E-308 SW which shares the same platform) features a 156hp electric motor, and a 54kWh battery, with the latter here allowing an official range of 256 miles on a single charge. That power output perhaps seems a little modest on paper for an EV of this size, but the level of acceleration it provides is absolutely adequate for a family car. There’s a choice of three driving modes – Eco, Normal, and Sport – with a different level of power output available most of the time in each – 109hp, 136hp, and the full 156hp respectively. However, whichever mode is selected, flooring the throttle will always deliver maximum power and torque, should the driver need to respond in an emergency situation.

Overall, the Astra Sports Tourer Electric drives nicely – the handling is fairly satisfying and nicely composed, and the ride is impressively smooth at low speeds, though it can get a bit choppier when the pace is picked up on A-roads. Vauxhall says a focus by its engineers on weight reduction means this model weighs only 68kg more than the plug-in hybrid Sports Tourer, which as well as aiding efficiency helps those dynamics – Vauxhall also says an integrated battery design means the chassis’ torsional rigidity is up by 31% compared with an ICE Astra, also helping in this regard, while a specific rear axle design aids high-speed stability. The Electric also features what Vauxhall describes as ‘aerodynamically optimised’ alloy wheels, and a specific tyre size designed to further boost efficiency.

The range-topping Ultimate equipment grade is the one that we have tested here, and we would rate the cabin materials as decent, but not amazing for a top-spec car. The Astra comes as standard with a 10in infotainment touchscreen alongside a 10in digital instrument cluster, which is an impressive set-up, further augmented with Ultimate cars by a useful head-up display. Aiding usability are physical switches beneath the central screen for adjusting the climate control settings.

Rear legroom is decent, and headroom should be okay for all but the tallest.

At 516 litres, the Astra Sports Tourer Electric’s boot is the same size as that found with the plug-in hybrid Sports Tourer, although this figure is 81 litres down on ICE versions. It’s still highly usable – Vauxhall’s designers mounted the Sports Tourer’s numberplate on the tailgate, rather than on the rear bumper as with the Astra hatch, to deliver a usefully low loading lip, and the rear seats can be folded via remote levers by the tailgate.

Compared with the Peugeot 308 SW, we are minded to prefer the Astra, mainly due to its more conventional control set-up and easier-to-use infotainment system. However, from a fleet management point of view, we should note that the top-spec 308 is cheaper both on P11D and on a cost-per-mile basis, and boasts stronger expected residual values, although the range-topping Peugeot also has a slightly shorter official EV range. As for the more obviously budget alternative, the MG5 is around £12,000 cheaper to buy than this Astra, and 10p-per-mile cheaper to run.

Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric Ultimate 

P11D: £45,405

Residual value: 35.2% 

Depreciation: £28,805

Fuel: £3,462

Service, maintenance and repair: £2,087

Cost per mile: 57.25p

Range: 256 miles

CO2 (BIK %): 0g/km (2%)  

BIK 20/40% a month: £15/£30

Luggage capacity: 516 litres

Battery size/power: 54kWh/156hp