First drive: Vauxhall Astra Electric. We want to love you... but we can't. | Electrifying

#electriccars #vauxhallastraelectric #vauxhallastra
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If you are of a more mature persuasion, you might remember when there was an Astra on every street corner. Today, traditional hatchbacks appear to be heading towards extinction - an inevitable side effect of our love affair with the SUV. The once mighty Ford Focus is being killed off and rumours of the Volkswagen Golf’s demise are rife.
But there’s one car company bucking the trend. Vauxhall believes that there’s plenty of life left in the traditional hatchback and is about to launch a fully electric version of its Astra. Will it be the saviour of the five-door hatch? Can it push back the relentless tide of SUVs?
On paper, the Vauxhall Astra Electric doesn't make a strong start. While arch rival VW and others developed electric cars specifically around the electric bits, Vauxhall electric models share their body with other powertrains - which results in a few compromises. Although slightly longer than the ID.3 at 4,370mm, the Astra offers less space in the rear and has the smaller boot at 352 litres - which is also slightly smaller than an MG4 or Leaf and quite a lot less than a Kia Niro EV.
Look at the spec sheet and the Astra's hand looks a little weak. The battery is a measly 51kWh and you'll only be able to charge it at a maximum of 100kW. But the electric bits are pretty sophisticated, and if the figures are to be believed, super efficient too.
It's the same powertrain we've already tried in the Jeep Avenger but in the sleeker Astra it results in a possible 258-miles of range according to the official figures.
But there’s a problem. Talk about the prices and Vauxhall's bosses start to shift uncomfortably. The Astra Electric is slower than all of its key rivals. It has less equipment. It’s not a premium brand and has a smaller battery. It has a pretty basic warranty. So it must be cheaper, right?
Well, no. The cheapest GS grade is just under £40,000 and the better-equipped ‘Ultimate’ is £43,110. In comparison a top tier Megane is £41,995, or £39,495 for the mid level - both have bigger batteries and much more power. A top Cupra Born V3 with the 58kWh battery is £40,150, an ID.3 Pro S with the bigger 77kWh battery is £42,870.
But the killer is a Tesla Model 3. It has a 305 mile range, a 5.8 second 0-60 time and charging which is twice as fast in that dedicated network. Its list price is £42,990 and there are cars in stock today which are £38,790. And we won;'t even mention the £36,000 MG4 which offer either supercar performance (the Xpower) or a 300 mile plus range. That makes the Astra a pretty difficult sell, unless you worry about insurance premiums.
Join Nicola as she takes a first drive of the new Astra Electric in the UK for the first time. Are you a fan of the new Astra Electric? Is it on your shortlist? Let us know in the comments below.
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[@davidtaylorbfd]

I don't want an EV to go fast, just give us a good range at an affordable price.

[@FFVoyager]

So did I. So I bought a used Hyundai Ioniq 28kWh. Getting around 6mi/kWh and 160 mile range at the moment.

[@ShitpommfritFraz]

Just get a normal MG4 then

[@magallon643]

How about in 2024 Byd Seagull,250 miles range, 5 door hatchback,for only $11,000 Euros that's affordable right?

[@FFVoyager]

@@magallon643 it's not for sale in the UK.

[@magallon643]

@@FFVoyager bummer

[@aeonturnip2]

Wow. Ten grand too expensive to be competitive.

[@JonOakden]

Nicola has proven to be a fantastic addition to the channel. Her reviews are excellent.

[@adriancarey7848]

Yes she's quirky and great fun. Am I allowed to say that now?

[@DariuszTech]

Absolutely agree 👍

[@davidy7004]

I used to rate Nicola's reviews on the channel she was with before. I was wondering where she'd gone.

[@tobybushnell]

Vauxhalls have always been overpriced for what they are but 40k for that “meh”-mobile. What were they thinking?? Get a base model MG4 with £13k in change OR spend £42k and get a Polestar 2.

[@alexanderstefanov6474]

I'd spend the 42k on a Kia EV6 or ioniq 6 myself, but of course you're correct, and the base MG4 is a very good car

[@badboy250984]

Fairly sure you can get the MG4 x power (435bhp) for 36k.

[@sIightIybored]

The petrol model is priced about the same as the Focus and looks a lot better. It's the Stellantis 50% EV charge so they can make massive profits on batteries.

[@shroomyesc]

@@badboy250984 You can, they mention that in the video but if you value range over speed and wanna save cash, long range MG4 is better.

[@badboy250984]

@@sIightIybored I understand that they need to make money from the EV model and they have to price the car higher than the ICE or PHEV version but their starting price for the Astra is outrageous consider you touching the luxury brand territory. For the EV mode of the Astra, it makes zero sense to buy one for 40k.

[@mco6968]

That Astra is £10k overpriced. The strategy of selling less cars for more money is unlikely to work going forward

[@haukikannel]

So like every European car…

[@bill_heywood]

Spot on from Nicola, nice car, £10k too expensive for what it is. It’s on a shared ICE platform, it should be cheap. Stellantis have lost the plot The Citroen EC-4 is a nicer car on the same platform and is £32k

[@TTThedarkknight]

Exactly! This platform is used across several brands, cars within each brand and drivetrains. Economies of scale would mean lower cost. How tf is it still so expensive then?!

[@bill_heywood]

@@TTThedarkknight the Citroën E-C4 is a nicer car on the same platform and is £32k. Vauxhall are crazy

[@stephenclay6852]

I agree with your conclusion the price is over the top for a car with that battery size and power. The Kia Niro has a bigger battery more power and 7 year warranty for the same money or less spec dependent.

[@neilemms5831]

Don't get hung up on the size of the battery. You don't check the size of the petrol tank in an ICE. You check the fuel economy. This seems to be much better than the competitors in that area, meaning it doesn't need a battery as big as others. It's too expensive though

[@bordersw1239]

Will it’s secondhand value drop like a stone, just like the Corsa E?

[@danielstefanovic2604]

Yep i guess by christmas you can get one with decent mile for 30k£

[@RomanSzegner]

Doesn’t look good for the future of Stellantis… but you have to understand that they have the most expensive CEO in the automobile industry … 😉

[@nicnordic6143]

😂 He has to manage a lot of brands...

[@CastleKnight7]

I’d much rather have the MG4 XPOWER for less money. What are Vauxhall thinking?!

[@stevenjones916]

Sleep walking into disaster.

[@haukikannel]

Pay something to the workers, unlike MG4 manufacturer…

[@badboy250984]

What were Vauxhall smoking with that price point lol.

[@markymarkreviews]

This is funny. While watching this, I was aware that I had test driven the MG4 X-Power a few days ago, and I was thinking the MG4 blows this out of the water in every single metric: Space, equipment, looks (subjective) , incredible performance , battery size and range AND PRICE!! Not everyone wants or needs a car as big as the Tesla or a SUV. Why would anyone choose the Vauxhall? A simply unbelievable price. Being set up to fail! It is good the video ended with that precise comparison.

[@hurbrowns5397]

Brand loyalty.

[@ISuperTed]

Yeah me too! The MG is a great car, superior in every way and massively cheaper. The X-Power was a bit mad for me tbh but great fun - I’m waiting for the bigger battery version.

[@gregcooper2719]

For me at £40k Stellantis should be putting a battery that can do 350miles range at least in this (and the e308). A buyer has compromised on cabin space, but that miles/kwh figure would make it a high mileage drivers dream. The estate version would be a company car drivers dream… Stellantis have cocked this up in my opinion…

[@FFVoyager]

Nobody needs a '350' mile range though. Batteries cost and weigh a lot, carrying them costs energy, the energy lost from dragging around a huge battery pack is a law of diminishing returns. Smaller capacity makes a lighter battery pack. Fast charging (with appropriate cooling) should cost less to make and use.

[@gregcooper2719]

@@FFVoyager I’d rather have a 350 mile wltp range for the days I do 260-300 mile round trips where I can charge at home for 10p per kWh than having to rely on public chargers that are a lot more expensive. So not everyone needs that range, but some drivers do. Just because you may not need it doesn’t mean that applies to everyone. At £40k drivers like me are going to be looking at other cars that can do over 300 miles, but it’s a shame as I don’t necessarily want an suv or crossover, so the 308sw was something I was genuinely considering, but not anymore

[@sIightIybored]

The Astra petrol is priced very well. Stellantis takes reasonably priced petrol models adds a few thousand £/€/$ in batteries then adds 50% to the price of the car. There's a reason private car EV sales have flatlined at 6%.

[@FFVoyager]

@@gregcooper2719 I'm sure YOU would. Some others seem to want to tow a caravan to Scotland from the south coast every week - but potential customers are already (rightly) complaining about the cost of the car! Adding huge batteries to a vehicle that very few people will ever drive 350 miles in one hit isn't really sensible. Making an efficient vehicle that charges fast would be a more affordable and accessible solution.

[@FFVoyager]

@@sIightIybored really? An Astra in mid-range spec is £29,855!

[@kevinsugrue]

A £29k car at RRP of £40k. Sales will be impacted.

[@marvinsamuels1237]

1:56 4.8 at 70mph is really good! I usually manage around 4.6 in my Ioniq (38kWh) that’s one of the most efficient EVs of the past 5/6 years.

[@Brian-om2hh]

The basic problem/issue here, is that the new Astra isn't a "ground up" electric car. It's a " we sell 'em with an engine or as as an EV" car...... And as a result, there are compromises.....

[@alexanderstefanov6474]

Absolutely, when ground up rwd EVs are available at the same or lower price

[@MrKlawUK]

there isn’t anything wrong with a ‘converted ICE’ if designed from the start to be flexible. The original Kona/e-niro was an ICE platform and they were hugely popular and efficient. This seems like a decent small family car - good efficiency etc. Its just too expensive

[@Noah_E]

If a car is comprised of thousands of parts and all but a few are the same as an ICE, why not share a platform, making production easier and cheaper. The ICE has been getting incrementally better for almost a century (the Model T was the first auto to function like a modern car in many respects). They just work. Why throw away all that knowledge? When you do that you end up with problems like flush door handles and charge ports that don't open in winter and dumb decisions like CUVs without basic stuff such as rear wipers or glove boxes and designs that annihilate cargo space to add a fraction to range, like in the Ioniq6.

[@ewadge]

@@MrKlawUK The thing is that Opel/Vauxhall form part of the Stellantis group and on the same platform sell the Peugeot e208 and e2008, the Opel Corsa, the Citroen eC4 and DS eTense as well as the Jeep Avenger. You would think that with so many models with a shared platform it would be worth their while to do one dedicated EV platform (similar to what VW did with the ID 3, ID 4, Audi Q4 and other models.

[@computerbob06]

​@@ewadgeWent well for VAG, massive reduction in sales now - possibly should have concentrated on getting the software right as well!

[@sukybillan]

Price has killed its chances before it started

[@MrAndreCoutinho]

Why? Care to explain?

[@sukybillan]

​@@MrAndreCoutinhoStarting its base price at 40k. Much faster, more range available for a lot less money with its rivals.

[@mejay01]

Agreed, why would anyone have this over a longer ranged, easier to charge Tesla 3. Or a top of the range fully loaded megane EV, kia Niro 4 ev, new hyundai kona ev, ionic 5, i just dont get it

[@sukybillan]

​@@mejay01Tesla M3 all day long for most people

[@Brian-om2hh]

Not necessarily. Fewer people fork out in full for new cars to day. Most are acquired on personal leases or via PCP agreements. You have no depreciation worries with those.

[@JonathanPalfrey]

Why didnt anyone at Vauxhall just google search the prices of other EVs before they announced this car?

[@haukikannel]

They did not manage to put all German car workers to out of job and did not transfer all production to China to make it cheaper… It will hapen eventually, unles EU will put 100% tax to every car from China… That is the most likely thing to happen…

[@neillgatley8770]

That a great review, full of opinions based on the driving experience. In the years it took for stellantis to bring out an electric Astra, why didn't they conclude that the Astra is expensive for what it is? This is an open goal for MG and BYD. It sounds like the long awaited astra estate will be priced closer to the porsche taycan cross turismo than the MG 5. If you really want one, it's probably wise to site on your hands and wait for them to be disconnected. For my money, the Chinese cars with room in the back for humans seem to fit the bill. Once the Chinese have copied the Astra buttons, I am not sure it will have a USP.

[@FFVoyager]

My guess is that Stellantis don't have enough batteries to make enough cars if they drop the price.

[@danielstefanovic2604]

@@FFVoyager Nah its more like even at this price they barely make any money on it.

[@FFVoyager]

@@danielstefanovic2604 I'm sure the margins are tight.

[@danielstefanovic2604]

@@FFVoyager Yep stellantis should have been forward thinking and by now having a factory in china that builds theyre cars cheaper then ship to europe, also they should make a deal with byd or catl to get cheaper lfp batteries instead,

[@petehampton6051]

Legacy auto are in real trouble. Their cost base is far higher than dedicated EV Co’s like MG or Tesla & unless they radically rethink their offer their inexorable decline will accelerate. The Astra is a good case in point. Expect to see some mega mergers in the coming years.

[@alexanderstefanov6474]

Stellantis is a mega merger though, FCA and PSA. I agree with you though, they need to change their plans or the Chinese will decimate them, Hyundai/Kia at least make a fantastic car despite being expensive, I can't understand why anyone would choose this over the Korean offerings, or mg4 or byd in the lower price class

[@petehampton6051]

@@alexanderstefanov6474 Completely agree. The Stellantis formation is just the start of the consolidation of the legacy brands. I can see VAG, who are in deep trouble merging with another, perhaps BMW or Mercedes. Their debt levels are horrific. Ford & GM are both toast and as for the Japanese, I dont even think they want to realise the trouble they're in. As for JLR & Polestar, their volumes are almost irrelevant. You're right about Hyundai/Kia, they do seem an outlier in the legacy world, but they too have horrific levels of debt. The next 5 years will see radical transformation in the legacy sector, all whilst the Chinese and Tesla clean up.

[@alexanderstefanov6474]

@@petehampton6051 it'll be interesting to see what happens with the Japanese manufacturers. Subaru might go majority to Toyota, they already own dihatsu. Mitsubishi is Renault Nissan already. Maybe honda and Mazda will merge, they have compatible client bases.

[@bordersw1239]

MG isn’t a dedicated EV Co’.

[@alexanderstefanov6474]

@@bordersw1239 the MG4 is a dedicated EV platform though, and RWD

[@stuartbear6126]

It’s a good looking car but seriously expensive. It is a shame that the big manufacturers are charging (no pun intended) so much when there are other makers out there that give better performance and range.

[@camiraspy]

Nailed it. Chines manufacturing, ie MG, and Tesla's lead and economies of scale, are making it very very hard for ANYONE else to compete.

[@mikadavies660]

I just DON'T the CRAZY price?? If they just copied VW with the ID3 as a bench mark.... Then I get it.... but the ID3 isn't selling!!!! Then look IN HOUSE at Stellantis... The Citroën E-C4 is miles cheaper for EXACTLY the same battery & motor, but with comfortable seats!! I totally agree, that the base Astra is way over priced, by at least £6,000 if not £8,000

[@computerbob06]

A nice car but apart from the smallish battery, that price is awful! Not forgetting, of course, there'll be a lot more tax to pay once you spec it over 40k as well!

[@lesvassallo5760]

40k for a Hire Car Astra. Plenty of more premium brands to choose in that price range 😢. I'd be interested in the residual value after a year. Only then would it be worth considering if you wanted a used "Hire Car" Vauxhall Astra.

[@madmandonna1]

£40K!!!!! That's ridiculous for a Vauxhall with the same body work of an ICE car. When the ID2 and Renault 5 are reportedly coming out at under 25K and do similar mileage, this astra is a bit of joke.

[@stevenjones916]

Exactly. They are already mass producing most of the car so where is the "economy of scale" ? The battery is small, so where is the saving there ? SMH.

[@Draigthedragon]

The headline price is too much, there's no getting away from that, but... Vauxhall give great discounts. When we looked at the Corsa last year we dropped the price by a quarter (roughly). And then you pop around to Peugeot and Citroën and Renault and challenge them to match the offer!

[@thomaseriksson3182]

Great review! Like this new girl on this channel!🌹👍 MG xpower is a bargain💥

[@ewadge]

I went to a local dealer to inquire about the Peugeot e308 and was told that it would cost €50,000. Even the salesman could barely keep a straight face.

[@singlespeedcc]

The way EV prices are falling lately, I’m sure this new Astra will be down to about £16k by next summer…and still no one will buy them.

[@richardwalmsley7579]

Over 12 month waiting list for Vaux now, lots of dealers pulling out of all models and dumping them.

[@BarryWardUK]

I'd say so long as it can pull away fast enough when you need to, I wouldn't worry so much about the numbers. However, the price numbers are more concerning. I'd definitely take an MG4 over this any day. Did Vauxhall even look at the competition?

[@morganangel340]

the competition is so far ahead they can't even see it. 🙃

[@haukikannel]

It is possible that German auto workers get a tinyt bit better salary than their coworkers in China… That is the difference. First all electronic production… TV, phones etc did go to china… Now cars are moving to China also. Interesting to see what production remain in europe? 1 million dollars/ euros luxury cars like Ferrari and similar and… well that is that….

[@cerverg]

Vauxhall but it's Left-hand drive with Gernam registration plate... I'm confused.. Is it just an Opel that they just put an Vauxhall logo cause it's supposed to be for Brits?

[@spsmith45]

Stellantis can’t make money selling them for less. European carmakers cannot currently compete on price with Chinese or Tesla. But price is on everything for some buyers. MG4 certainly looks the better buy with a hatch, Tesla Model 3 with a boot (but firm ride).

[@biggobmalc8118]

Has Stelantis deliberately overpriced the electric Astra and come to that other Vauxhall products In the hope that sales just simply plummet, allowing them to dispense with the brand, without too much political fallout. !!!

[@brianhume4743]

Nicola, we need a video telling us what is the best car to replace the faithful fiesta owners who are now faced with the dilemma of having to buy something else, thanks 😮

[@stevenjones916]

Hyundai i20.

[@richardwilton722]

The MG is a Chinese car. The CEO of Stellantis, which owns Vauxhall, and owns factories in Europe and China, said recently that it costs 30% more to make a car in Europe than in China. I suppose that means we'll soon be reliant on China for cars, like we are for everything else. I believe right-hand drive Tesla Y's are also made in China (not sure). It could be that, when most cars are electric, only luxury cars will be made in Europe.

[@Isclachau]

40k for an Astra 😂😂😂. You don’t need to say anymore. No thanks

[@timscott3027]

I cant see why anyone would buy this for that price. I mean a nissan leaf is roughly the same, (quicker, but slower charging) and that starts at £28k. This will be on sale at £35k very soon.

[@danr6716]

I think the astra is very good looking compared to the other competitors. The standard petrol is also competitively priced.

[@redlineste4283]

I'd say that Astra is about £20,000 over priced. Over 40 grand is madness.

[@PratabAli]

@Electrifyingcom, can we have an end of year special episode "Nicola's Top Ten Satisfying Indicator Sounds"? 😂

[@Electrifyingcom]

We’re on it!

[@alanwayte432]

It’s a hire car..someone in Vauxhall’s marketing dept just jumped out of a third story window 😅

[@gordonmccartney5648]

The Astra biggest problem........every other car.

[@jsptravels]

Hire cars and company cars for mid-level executives - that’s the Astras target market and has been for at least 15 years now, so the list price really doesn’t matter as far as Vauxhall are concerned. Shame really, could have appealed to some families too

[@MaticTheProto]

I'd rather get a smart #1

[@Whatshisname346]

It is a pity this didn’t work out. I was really looking forward to a normal hatchback/estate EV with legacy manufacturer quality and dealer network at a decent price. Looks like we’ll be waiting a while longer.

[@cause2bconcerned217]

Looking at the depreciation of EVs, in a couple of years you could probably pick up a good used example of this car for half the the price new or less. Even then you will have the problem that it is not as well specced as competing models.

[@harrybartlett4020]

Very efficient, shame about the price.

[@robsmith1a]

Given the current high depreciation of EVs it will be a £30k car when it's six months old. Already possible to get Mégane ETechs for sub £30k at that age

[@stevenjones916]

The UK spec Mégane e-tech is only available with the small central screen for some reason and the rear legroom is terrible.

[@reececollison5101]

If it’s like the Nissan Leaf, this will lose half its value in two years. Absolutely not worth it

[@animationcreations42]

The Astra is by faaaaar the best looking car in it's class, like you say it's just such a shame about the price! I'd take the MG4 any day on price alone

[@jondonnelly3]

don't agree, it's gross.

[@MarkHewitt1978]

Best looking? No. It's not bad looking but it's just very ordinary.

[@chrisr1254]

Will hopefully be a rare sight on our roads - and deservedly so. Is the e308 similarly "meh"?

[@stevenbarrett7648]

Nice cheap EV, if its sub £10k it should sell well…..just got to the end of the vid, you have to be joking £40 Grand for THAT !!!!!! Hahahahahaha

[@hometechUK]

Just cant get over the ridiculous price, an Electric Asta need to have a starting price under £34k until then the sales figures will be very low. Also it's 2023 not 2018 100kWh max charging is way to slow this will block Charging stations, In 2023 the minimum charging speed should be 150kWh.

[@davelocktalk]

50.8 klw battery pack is not big enough, I will be going for any electric car with 64 klw battery.

[@vetex007]

My question is Nicola, which one (the MG or Astra) would you choose to rent?

[@dvdscutt]

Great video, just drove one, everything said was correct.

[@rjw4762]

Would love it if the Magazines and TV channels started to point out the huge downsides to EVs. Believe me, it won't be long before the Ferrys of Europe BAN EVs.....and then the Channel Tunnel will do the same. Oh Dear. Then there is the small matter that the Batteries will need replacing after 7 years costing £10,000 (or a £10k reduction in 2nd hand value - take your pick), and then we discover that EVs are going to costs the country £billions due to worn out roads and having to stenghten the nations' multi-storey car parkes to account for the additional weight. Oh yes, and didn't the National Grid report 2-3 years ago that the cost of improving the national electricity grid sufficient to charge 20 million vehicles was going to be a mere £3 TRILLION !!!!! But who care, so long as they accelerate fast, eh ?

[@keithhooper6123]

Ridiculously over priced pile of junk.Dealers don't want to deal with evs,and the public don't want,and can't afford to buy them.

[@peterjackson6228]

Ah, Vauxhall/Opel doing what they do best, a dull car thats slightly overpriced. Sad that after all this time all they've done is taken out the ICE and put in the EV components. I bet they spent millions on the R&D to do that too. Alas, this is where MG/SAIC have the upper hand. The MG4/5 are EV's from the ground up. And the price too, what on earth are Vauxhall/Opel thinking?

[@martinday2815]

Wonder when the point will come that first time drivers will never afford to drive, once ICE based cars become 'classic', and electric cars effectively become either obsolete (unsupported due battery degradation or major electronic failure) and scrapped before they reach say 500 or 1000 pound mark or the car gets scrapped due minor crash but battery safety can't be ensured? Plus, first time driver would look at say 55 or 80 bhp...now equivalent Astra is 150bhp? Just a thought.

[@ISuperTed]

As someone who drives an e208 which has a list price of £35k (ridiculous but a company car so I don’t pay that), I have no idea why anyone would privately buy any Stellantis EV new, especially this Astra. Cannot believe this will sell unless they give huge discounts to fleets - it’s dead in the water to private buyers.

[@RB-lt8kt]

Vauxhall being optimistic with range as it will never do 258 miles, come on stop living in La La land. £40k Tesla will not do 305 miles, really ??

[@karmanline2005]

Its a dud. Probably 4 years too late. Standard MG4 is 27k, or a Niro EV, much better car for price of Astra. And GM ate probably losing money at 42k. Surely itcamt even beat the Corsa or Mokka e, even though they are its smaller siblings.

[@TheAllMightyGodofCod]

Beef with tbis car is another thing... I looked at it on tv, with that amazing metallic yellow paint, the visor... Etc and I thought "I absolutely must get one og those!" Then, my neighbor bought on in metallic silver and I looked at it and i was like "boy! This car is bland, generic and boring!" For the Mégane e-tech I felt exactly tbe opposite

[@gavinscott5943]

What a terrible road test full of contradictions... Seriously. Electric cars are bought for efficiency. Not speed. Drive them 0-60 in 3 seconds often enough you'll be out of battery in 100 less miles than that claimed range. Is the Astra efficient, yes. Does the Astra go almost as far as it's rivals even though it has a smaller battery, yes. Does it look good, yes. Does it have everything you need, yes. Review it properly and actually think about what you're saying. I mean this review had comments of her saying she loves buttons and knobs but doesn't explain what they actually do and why that's miles better than a tablet screen you can't use when you're driving.

[@tommyjakobsen5504]

I love you enthusiasm, and looikng for a Hot Hatch.. i don´t care about range. I just charge up the battery is down. But can afford a car that take 3.8sec. to 100km/t i mindblowing, that faster that my old dream cars Vector W8 . do hope that Xpower can fit tow Hook.

[@Twmpa]

40k for an Astra? Vauxhall are having a laugh. And these car review channels need to learn that 0-60 is not the be all and end all of cars. Most normal people couldn’t care less.

[@Dreadpirateflappy]

Vauxhall just don't make good cars. always behind the competition in most ways. I don't understand why anyone would ever buy a Vauxhall over it's competitors. Whatever you want out of a car you will always fond another car that does it better than any Vauxhall. "Distinctly below average" just sums up this brand.

[@XENONEZZ2]

Well done for pointing out the price discrepancy between this Vauxhall compared to the competition. However, perhaps you could have also pointed out that MG is a Chinese owned company with its vehicle production based in China and then told us about China's abysmal human rights record. For instance take a look at what China is currently doing in Tibet....you'll soon see what I mean. If something in this world seems cheap and too good to be true there's normally a reason.

[@DanielZajic]

I had a Saturn Astra, it was just ok. Price was great, though. The price of this one is hilarious. Tesla and the Chinese are going to mop the floor with European auto unless the latter dramatically reduce prices. Sadly, I don't think they can, they're probably losing money as it is.

[@petedee7847]

Great review - In my opinion, Nicola is one of the best automotive journalists there is, engaging, informative, and most importantly her reviews are not formulaic.

[@nailil5722]

the problem is that they are making EVs on refurbished ICE powertrains. Stellantis lowballed all of its EVs, only good one is the Fiat 500, the others don't stand a candle to the competition really.

[@mikadavies660]

I can't understand the Corse-E being one of the biggest selling electric cars in UK.... As it is SO expensive!

[@leem5894]

2020 tech for Tesla Model 3 money! Very disappointed, giving my Mokka e back for a Model 3 RWD! £40k with 0% finance.

[@erhantimur]

Brand new Tesla available in the inventory section brand new to collect immediately is £40,470. Vauxhall messed up with the pricing.

[@Jaw0lf]

Far too expensive for an Astra, I had more hopes, but it is Vauxhall and they priced the Corsa E higher than they should. MG, BYD and now even Volvo have better cars for less.

[@Peoplestariff]

Love the humour as always Nicola :) this is overpriced pitching itself against a Tesla model 3 won’t help

[@ianroe6678]

I wouldn’t buy one of these but I also wouldn’t buy an MG4. There seems to be an obsession on this channel of comparing everything with MG4 price. Not everyone just goes for the cheapest option, there far more to it.

[@Rene-tj9ix]

Left Hand Drive Vauxhall?? They must have changed the badge on an Opel Astra. LHD Vauxhall's don't exist imo.😂

[@wolvoman1]

So, Vauxhall couldn't afford to supply the UK review market with a RHD ? Yet MG managed to supply one.

[@Vayshen]

I get the idea that instead of flowers you offer Nicola a usb thumbstick with a few nice indicator sounds on the first date. Please let the indicator sound become a bit on your videos xD

[@drfisheye]

Yes, Chinese subsidized cars are much cheaper. Just don't complain when the UK/Europe doesn't have an industry anymore.

[@nicholasrigg8999]

Because it's an EV I want it to succeed. Because of its ridiculous price, it deserves to fail.

[@attilazk]

Sometimes I just wonder how people easily go for a CHINESE car due to it's lower price and more performance. Never mind reliability, after sales service and spare parts (especially in case of an accident) or most important of all: CRASH SAFETY!!! In this case of the Astra she confirms that "nice HUD, nice infotainment, efficient and quiet, comfortable ride with a very good driver assistance package" all points that are much worse on the MG, yet she doesn't feel the reason for the Astra being more expensive. Hilarious... or more like pathetic.

[@jimmyjam8795]

No power required, not interested in speed or 0 to 60 in the slightest. Just range and economy please. Ooh and reliability, oh and residuals. Ah perhaps the last one is a bit hopeful for and EV!

[@djpierre4613]

The Astra is not Chinese like the base M3 and MG's. And offers one of few electric stationwagons

[@redjohn20001]

I suspect that just like the Corsa electric, give it twelve months, and they will be giving this car away at super discount prices particularly nearly new ones.

[@sIightIybored]

Drive this out of the dealer and it will instantly vaporise £10k.

[@tomooo2637]

​@@sIightIyboredit is called vat.

[@MarthaMansbridge]

Any soul Vauxhall or Opel, for that matter, had has completely gone since joining Fiat/Peugeot/Citroen et al.

[@lloydmillership9682]

40k for an astra they are having a laugh I can have a new jaguar for 35k. Vauxhall stop taking us for fools. I hate EVs too. Long live oil burners 😅

[@kevinnicholson7722]

i suspect both MG and Vauxhall are losing money on these cars

[@Djeseret]

MG is owned by the Chinese state... They give away the cars at a discount to take over the whole market, the communist party has established this strategy. Everyone is ignorant of the dark secret behind MG. Vauxhall charges for what an electric car costs... MG doesn't... Because they are a political weapon... NOT... a normal company.

[@david5667]

​@@DjeseretYou sure do hate the Chinese. 😂

[@Professor-Jack]

MG-4 X Power yes please can you do a review please Astra put it in the higher for a week bin, i love it when a lady gets her make up spot skin matching lips O those lips beautiful 👍

[@AppleUK2000]

I'll stick with Petrol, why pay significantly more just to get an electric car... Prefer the Peugeot 308

[@haukikannel]

What gasolin German car is cheaper than gasoline Chinese car… Yeah… We need German workers to work and half the normal prise / salary… 😂

[@simonthomas5367]

I switched off when you got excited about the indicator noise. Seriously, if that's it for excitement, then the car is dull as dishwater.

[@brianharley6452]

Drive off and the value half’s time u get home. Evs prices are crashing and electric prices going up. Bad mix

[@em0_tion]

4 door kombi = 5 door hatchback. Funny how we buy into using marketing BS language. 😂

[@johndoyle4723]

Thanks, it is OK, but a bit boring, 3 year warranty not good enough, 7 years with Kia. Good effort but not for me.

[@craighopkins4954]

the astra is properly proportioned and much better looking than the mg, you dont need a car family car that sub 5 sed 0-60

[@PierreSimonsson]

10:04 Stellantsi group is in big danger here Price setting is Foolish and crazy who will by a Vauxhall/ Opel Astra when you get Tesla Model 3 for same price or less i think it is better i to Not make this car if the cant set the pricing lower.

[@Yanquetino]

Too bad about the butt rut. Otherwise it's an "okay" EV… that we'll never see on this side of the pond.