An advantage of car-derived vans is that they look less van-like than their purely developed counterparts. Which means making them look even less van like isn’t as much of a challenge, hence the Astravan Sportive SE.
Possibly the most sporty-looking van on the market, it backs up that appearance with a 150PS 1.9-litre diesel engine that isn’t lacking in pace, especially unladen.
The Sportive SE gets 17-inch alloys, plus a bodykit including rear roof spoiler, front fog lamps and sports seats.
Our only complaint was that tall drivers might struggle to get the seat far enough back, due to the standard half-height steel bulkhead.
The ex-VAT price of £14,780 means a predicted cost per mile figure of 19.5p, making it comfortably the most expensive Astravan, though it’s also the best looking. The vehicle’s practical qualities aren’t compromised by the changes, either, which means it remains one of the best combinations of space and style on the market.
VERDICT: Looks good and drives as well as any van out there
