Fleets provide a sales sanctuary for lower medium estates facing increasing overall and internecine rivalry from compact SUVs and MPVs. Hence the more stylish Astra Sports Tourer is bracing itself for the new Zafira’s arrival while the Meriva nibbles at its edges.

Our SRi’s standard spec reflects that market pressure with daytime running lights and an electric parking brake. The wrap-round lights have aesthetic and higher visibility merit, but I’d prefer a hand-operated brake lever to the small finger-manipulated alternative. It saves central console space but is less than seamless to use.

Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer 1.7 CDTi SRi
Mileage 1022
Claimed combined
consumption
62.8mpg
Our average
consumption
47.1mpg
Forecast CPM 54.7p
Actual CPM 56.2p
Why we’re running it To see if the latest
Astra wagon can shake off
its predecessors’ stigma of
being a utilitarian workhorse.
Positive Well made and
easy on the eye
Negative Early mpg lags
behind official figures