Vauxhall Astra hatchback - MPG, running costs & CO2

Fuel efficiency is a key parameter for a family hatchback, and the new Vauxhall Astra looks set to continue the low running costs that characterised the last version. But the last Astra’s problem was its heavy depreciation, as it lost a lot of its original value quite quickly.

It seems the new Astra will perform much better in this regard and, as a result, Vauxhall’s reasonable PCP finance prices look competitive with rivals. At the time of writing, a deposit of roughly £4,000 is enough to secure the mid-range GS Line model for under £300 per month, and the brand tends to offer incentives on quite a regular basis.

Vauxhall has broadened the Astra engine range to offer more economical choices. New for this car is a plug-in hybrid model that’s capable of over 40 miles of pure-electric driving, and an electric Astra-e is confirmed to launch in 2023 with an expected range of over 250 miles.

Vauxhall Astra MPG & CO2

Diesel still has a place in the new Astra, and its promise of up to 64.2mpg should save high-mileage drivers money on fuel. It’s more expensive to buy than the petrol, though, and drivers that spend most of their time around town are better-off saving the extra cash.

Despite lacking any kind of mild-hybrid assistance, the 1.2-litre petrol offerings are decently economical; be gentle on the accelerator, and you can expect to return over 50mpg with the six-speed manual transmission. An eight-speed automatic gearbox is also available for a more relaxing drive and only a slight hindrance to fuel economy.

CO2 emissions are low across the board. Because the diesel engine complies with the latest emissions standards, it doesn’t get the surcharge that’s levied at some other diesel engines. That means the diesel offers lower Benefit-in-Kind tax for company-car drivers than the petrol engines.

The plug-in hybrid offers the lowest BiK rates in the current line-up, at around half the BiK cost of a petrol or diesel model. Vauxhall says the total cost of ownership is the same for the Hybrid-e as it is for the petrol and diesel versions.

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It’s quite an expensive proposition for private buyers, but over time it could save you money depending on how and where you drive. Keep the battery charged and drive predominantly on electric power, and you’ll get close to Vauxhall’s figure of over 200mpg. 

Recharging from a 7kW home wallbox takes under 4 hours, or you’ll need around 7 hours to charge from a standard three-pin socket. This may prove the best option, because installing a 7.4kW wallbox charger to your home will cost between £500 and £900. 

Insurance groups

The cheapest petrol engine occupies group 17 out of 50, and the 128bhp petrol and diesel engines occupy groups 19-21. The plug-in hybrid in GS Line trim sits in group 24. It’s broadly similar to the Ford Focus, which sits in groups 11-23.

Warranty

Vauxhall offers a pretty standard three-year/60,000-mile warranty, which matches the cover you get from Ford, Skoda and Volkswagen. High-mileage drivers may be better off with a Kia Ceed or Hyundai i30, which come with longer warranties with higher mileage limits.

Plug-in hybrid Astras get an eight-year/100,000-mile battery coverage in addition to the standard warranty, which covers the pack if it drops below 70% capacity in that time.

Servicing

Petrol engines need servicing every 12,500 miles or every year, whichever comes first. Diesels and hybrids can go 20,000 miles or a year between services; you may need to top up the AdBlue in diesel engines between visits to the garage.

Taking out a Vauxhall Care plan includes three services and two years’ roadside assistance. Your dealer will be able to advise on prices.