Golf alternative with petrol, hybrid, plug-in and electric options
By Adrian, Car Lease Deals UK · Updated 16 October 2026
Griffin replaced Design as the entry trim when the Astra L was refreshed in 2025. It is built on a Stellantis platform and sold as a hatchback or Sports Tourer estate. Engines run from a 130PS turbo petrol and a 145PS mild hybrid to two plug-in hybrids and a 156PS electric.
A transparent score for the Vauxhall Astra, worked out from official UK figures, not opinion. Running costs and emissions compare it like for like: same class, same fuel and powertrain.
How we score cars17.2p a mile on the 1.2 130PS (46.3 mpg) at current UK prices, lower than 40% of petrol small family cars on sale
4% benefit-in-kind on the Electric, best in range for 2026/27
137 g/km on the 1.2 130PS, lower than 48% of petrol small family cars on sale
422 litre standard boot (seats up)
0-62 mph in 7.6s on the Plug-in Hybrid 225 (177 bhp)
3 powertrains: petrol, plug-in, electric
Score for the 2026/27 tax year. It updates automatically as fuel prices, energy prices and tax rates change. See the full method.
Where the Golf and Focus offer a narrower choice of engines, the Astra covers petrol, mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric. A smaller hatchback boot and a touchscreen-led dashboard stop it topping the class.
Our editorial view, separate from the data score above.
Pick a body style, engine and trim. Everything updates together, so you only see combinations that were actually offered.
Entry trim with the 10-inch Pure Panel display, LED headlights and the black roof treatment.
Boot 422 litres (1,339 litres with the rear seats folded), length 4,374mm. The core body style, available with every engine from the 1.2 turbo to the electric version.
| Engine | Fuel | Power | Torque | 0–62 | Economy | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | Electric | 154 bhp | 270 Nm | 9.2s | 4.3 mi/kWh | 0 g/km |
| 1.2 130PS | Petrol | 128 bhp | 230 Nm | 9.7s | 46.3 | 137 g/km |
| Hybrid 145 | Petrol mild hybrid | 134 bhp | 230 Nm | 9.0s | 48.5 | 131 g/km |
| Plug-in Hybrid 195 | Plug-in hybrid | 148 bhp | 360 Nm | 7.9s | 108.6 | 60 g/km |
| Plug-in Hybrid 225 | Plug-in hybrid | 177 bhp | 360 Nm | 7.6s | 108.6 | 60 g/km |
Official figures, checked October 2026.
Plug-in hybrid economy is the official WLTP weighted figure, which assumes the battery is charged regularly. With a flat battery a plug-in hybrid runs mostly on petrol, so real economy is much lower on long journeys. Electric economy is shown in miles per kWh.
Official WLTP combined figures from the Vehicle Certification Agency. Compare more cars in our economy league table.
Insurance groups and premiums vary by driver, location and history, so these are indicative bands only.
Yearly cost at 10,000 miles on official economy. Petrol 175.3p and diesel 200.0p a litre (UK average, week commencing 12 October 2026); electric 26.32p per kWh charged at home (1 October to 31 December 2026).
Road tax and company car tax on official CO2 figures at 2026/27 rates. The expensive car supplement and P11D value depend on the list price, which you enter in the calculators.
The 145 hybrid returns around 48mpg officially and 230Nm of torque for relaxed cruising.
The Sports Tourer offers 597 litres of boot space and 1,634 litres with the seats folded.
The 195PS plug-in hybrid emits about 60g/km on the official figures, which keeps benefit-in-kind low.
The 225PS GSe plug-in hybrid reaches 62mph in 7.6 seconds with 360Nm combined.
How the main ways to fund a Astra compare. General guidance only, not financial advice or an offer.
Fixed monthly costs suit a family car and shield the driver from plug-in and electric depreciation.
Common route, though the Astra's residuals are less strong than the Golf's.
Straightforward ownership at the end but with higher monthly payments.
Flexible but typically costlier over time.
Lower used values make outright buying of a nearly new Astra reasonable.
Which works out cheaper depends on your annual mileage, how long you keep the car and whether you want to own it. Try the true cost of leasing calculator to compare.
The plug-in hybrid versions have the lowest official CO2 at around 50 to 60g/km, and the electric Astra uses no fuel. Among non-plug-in engines, the 145 hybrid is best at 48.5mpg.
The 1.2 turbo and the 145 hybrid both make 230Nm. The plug-in hybrids deliver 360Nm combined, and the electric makes 270Nm.
The hatchback holds 422 litres with the seats up and 1,339 litres folded. The Sports Tourer offers 597 litres and 1,634 litres.
GSe is the performance trim for the 1.6 plug-in hybrid 225PS, with a sport-tuned chassis and distinctive styling.
The 54kWh electric Astra is rated at up to 260 miles on the WLTP cycle in hatchback form, depending on trim.