Opel Astra Test Drive: The Diesel Steals the Show

Hardly anyone talks about it anymore, but it hasn’t disappeared. The diesel engine, once the flagship powertrain of every new model series, now mostly appears only as a footnote in price lists amid plug-in hybrids, mild hybrids, and visions of a battery-electric future. The situation isn’t much different with the redesigned Opel Astra. Nevertheless, the diesel engine remains in the lineup and even plays a major role in the “Multi-Energy Strategy.” Opel makes no secret of the fact that diesel is still needed.

After all, the Astra isn’t just any compact car in Rüsselsheim’s lineup—it’s one of the brand’s flagship models. Since 1991, roughly 14 million units have hit the road, and now the current generation is entering its second life cycle with a refresh. Opel is focusing primarily on refinements and fine-tuning. This applies to the design, interior, and technology—but especially to the powertrains. Everything seems neatly organized: here the electric model, there the plug-in hybrid, next to it the hybrid with 48-volt technology—and right in the middle, a 1.5-liter diesel that stubbornly resists any premature retirement.

This persistence isn’t a nostalgic whim, but a response to real demand. According to an Opel spokesperson, the diesel still accounts for up to 30 percent of total Astra sales. That’s roughly equal to the combined share of the fully and partially electric variants. The remaining 40 percent are accounted for by the entry-level hybrid. The Astra thus doesn’t tell a linear story of transition from old to new powertrains, but rather reflects a market landscape with multiple coexisting realities. Anyone who wants to accept only one direction is presented with a car that defies this simplification.

Opel hasn’t made any fundamental changes to the diesel engine itself as part of the facelift. The 1.5-liter diesel remains at 130 PS or 96 kW and delivers 300 Newton-meters of torque starting at 1,750 revolutions. On paper, this seems unspectacular; on the road, it feels familiar. The engine kicks in early without being intrusive. When starting up, it makes its presence known with that rough tone that belongs to this class just as long-distance travel belongs to its clientele. After a few kilometers, it becomes a working noise—sober, steady, almost stoic.

The driving performance matches this character. The Astra Diesel accelerates to 100 km/h in 10.6 seconds, with a top speed of 209 km/h. That’s neither a sports car’s badge of honor nor an invitation to brag at the regulars’ table, but it’s more than enough for the driving scenarios where a diesel traditionally feels right at home. More important than the raw numbers, anyway, is how the car picks up speed when accelerating out of town or when you need a bit of extra power on the highway. Anyone who frequently drives long distances or often travels with a heavy load will immediately recognize the appeal of this powertrain.

But of course, there’s more to the Astra than just the diesel. The powertrain lineup is wide-ranging and precisely aligns with Opel’s strategy of offering a solution for nearly every need. The Astra Hybrid, with 145 PS or 107 kW, marks the entry point into the lineup. Above it is the plug-in hybrid with 196 PS or 144 kW of system output, which is expected to achieve a range of 82 to 84 kilometers on electric power alone according to WLTP. The Astra Electric delivers 156 PS or 115 kW and features a larger 58-kWh battery, which is now expected to provide a range of up to 454 kilometers. Another new feature is the Vehicle-to-Load function, which allows users to charge external devices such as e-bikes, small electric appliances, or camping gear. The prices reflect this variety in a straightforward manner. The Astra Hybrid starts at 33,690 euros for the entry-level five-door hatchback version; the Astra Electric starts at 38,390 euros; and the plug-in hybrid is 500 euros more. The Sports Tourer costs 1,500 euros more in each case, and the diesel model joins the lineup starting at 35,040 euros as a continued, calculated component of the portfolio.

Visually, the model update remains restrained. The facelift introduces the refined Vizor at the front, now featuring an illuminated lightning bolt in the center. In addition, the Astra now features Intelli-Lux HD lighting for the first time, with more than 50,000 pixels. The system is designed to block out oncoming traffic, selectively dim traffic signs, and shift the beam further forward. New wheel designs, additional exterior colors such as Contour White or Klover Green, plus an optional black roof with matching black mirror housings, as well as subtle sharpening of the front end, alter the car’s appearance without reinventing it. Inside, two 10-inch displays define the cockpit; the graphics have been redesigned and the controls simplified.

Added to this are over-the-air updates, ChatGPT integration, and—depending on the version—a head-up display. New surfaces replace piano-black finishes; fabrics are made entirely from recycled material; and the steering wheel is covered in vegan synthetic leather. The seats play a special role. Intelli seats come standard, featuring a characteristic center recess designed to reduce pressure on the tailbone. AGR-certified variants with additional adjustment options, massage, memory, and heating functions remain available as options. At the same time, practicality is not compromised. The five-door model offers 310 to 1,339 liters of cargo space, while the Sports Tourer offers 466 to 1,634 liters.

As a result, the Astra offers a wide range of choices—whether as a commuter car, family car, or company car—as well as in terms of powertrain options. While elsewhere each model year is presented as a declaration of the one and only correct future, this compact all-rounder allows multiple realities to coexist. The Electric leads the way, the plug-in hybrid bridges the gap, the hybrid tops the list, and the diesel remains an integral part of the lineup—not out of defiance, but because it is still a reality in the Astra. (aum)

Opel Astra 5-Door Diesel Specifications

Length x Width x Height (m): 4.37 x 1.86 x 1.46
Wheelbase (m): 2.68
Powertrain: R4 diesel, 1,498 ccm, diesel, FWD, 8-speed automatic
Power: 96 kW / 130 PS
Max. torque: 300 Nm
Top speed: 209 km/h
Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h: 10.6 sec.
WLTP average fuel consumption: 5.0–4.9 liters
CO2 emissions: 132–130 g/km (WLTP)
Curb weight / Payload: min. 1,438 kg / max. 502 kg
Towing capacity: 1,550 kg
Price: starting at 35,040 euros