Opel Astra 1.5 Diesel in the test: That's why it doesn't always have to be electric

Created: 06/18/2022Updated: 06/18/2022 06:49

By: Marcus Efler

A range of 1,000 kilometers – in a compact car: the Opel Astra proves that the diesel engine still has a right to exist.

Rüsselsheim – Just a few years ago, cars like these dominated the streets: handy compact cars with four doors and a trunk lid in the hatchback, the front drive and the combustion engine, often as a diesel.

Seen in this way, the Opel Astra 1.5 Diesel should actually pass as an ordinary car.

The fact that this is no longer necessarily the case is due to the drastic changes that have taken place over the past few years.

Opel Astra 1.5 Diesel in the test: That's why it doesn't always have to be electric

First of all, of course, there would be the body shape.

The long dominant compact, somewhere between 4.30 and 4.50 meters long compact complete solutions for everyone, from the single to the family, are increasingly giving way to the SUV: It is not for nothing that the VW T-Roc has replaced the Golf as the best-selling car in Germany.

And then the drive.

The future belongs to the electric motor, at least one plug-in hybrid has to be there today.

Diesel?

Burnt by the cheating scandal, relegated as buyer's favorite child.

With a chic "Vizor" front: the new Opel Astra.

© Opel

Opel Astra 1.5 Diesel in the test: Unbeatably low costs

It seems to have been almost forgotten that precisely these cars are still being added to the range as new models - and are also readily bought: Due to pressure from customers, the next VW Passat will not only be available as a hybrid petrol engine, but also offered again with self-igniter.

Especially for fleet operators, this drive is still the cheapest in terms of its total costs, the so-called TCO (Total Costs of Ownership).

The Opel Astra 1.5 Diesel should be no exception.

The Stellantis subsidiary promises consumption of 4.5 to 4.7 liters per 100 kilometers, and the test drive actually confirmed a value of less than five liters.

The plug-in hybrid cannot keep up in everyday life, its official consumption of 1.1 liters requires a battery that is always well filled.

The new Opel Astra is also fast on the road as a diesel.

© Opel

Opel Astra 1.5 Diesel in the test: Easy to 200 km/h

But if you often travel longer distances, the diesel remains an excellent choice (even with the high price per liter): A good 1,000 kilometers of real range allow you to take breaks according to personal needs and not according to the fuel gauge.

In addition, the 130 hp four-cylinder hums along relaxedly at a motorway speed of 120 to 130 and, when it is in a hurry, easily reaches 200 km/h.

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The wide display unit dominates the interior.

© Opel

Only directly after starting and in city traffic does a little diesel feeling arise, but noise and vibrations never become unpleasant.

The maximum torque of 300 Newton meters is an easily mobile 1,750 revolutions, the highly recommended eight-speed automatic shifts gently and hardly noticeable.

Opel Astra 1.5 Diesel in the test: Inside like a Stromer

The other qualities of the Opel Astra (click here for a comprehensive test of the hybrid version) round off the positive image of this classic combustion engine car.

The occupants notice that they are sitting in a top modern car, not least in the cockpit, which combines the driver's instruments and navigation infotainment screen (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) in a broad framework.

It looks a bit like in purely electric cars like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 – although a purely battery-powered Astra is not expected until next year.