Vauxhall Astra EV
Discussion
I am a driving instructor. Been using Toyota hybrids for the past 8 years (Currently an Auris)
Considering going EV & like the look, size and spec on the Astra Ultimate.
The Stellantis stuff gets a bad rep online. Does anyone have any experience of running one. I do about 25k miles pa
Considering going EV & like the look, size and spec on the Astra Ultimate.
The Stellantis stuff gets a bad rep online. Does anyone have any experience of running one. I do about 25k miles pa
So you'd be looking at doing on average 80 miles per day if not more?
If you'd looking at charging from home on cheap tariff you'd get about 40Kwh, which could mean charging every day in worse case scenario.
Cold weather, lots of short distance runs.
Worth considering something with a bigger battery and better efficiency?
I assume you're looking at the new one.
https://ev-database.org/uk/car/3450/Vauxhall-Astra...
If you'd looking at charging from home on cheap tariff you'd get about 40Kwh, which could mean charging every day in worse case scenario.
Cold weather, lots of short distance runs.
Worth considering something with a bigger battery and better efficiency?
I assume you're looking at the new one.
https://ev-database.org/uk/car/3450/Vauxhall-Astra...
rolo0151 said:
I'm looking a 23 plate.
I'd be home charging. One thing is that I prefer a "normal" hatchback rather than the small SUV shape that everyone seems to be pushing these days
Nissan Leaf Tekna. Built like a tank with all mods/cons you could think of (except powered tailgate).I'd be home charging. One thing is that I prefer a "normal" hatchback rather than the small SUV shape that everyone seems to be pushing these days
It will be out of warranty though (but that shouldn't matter as you're using it for work).
Plus your pupils may end up buying a used one (for around £2000) to toy around until they graduate.
Other candidates may include the MG EV4.
Have Astra EV Tourer Ultimate. What do you want to know?
I don't do anywhere near your miles in it for complicated reasons away from cars.
So far biggest problem has been
1. Getting the Vx app to work properly. It's more or less ok now but still a poor app imo.
2. Occasionally the tailgate stops mid open/ close if it detects something it thinks is in the way. You can still open/close it manually. It resets after you've shut the thing down, locked and gone away for a bit.
3. Once only the driver dash display didn't boot up, remedy as above, leave it for a bit.
That's been it.
Other points.
Seats are comfortable. Storage space ok but typical of Stellantis badge engineering
Drives ok, ride not at the compliance level of eg Citroens but had worse. Handles ok, not a sports car obviously, steering bit light for my taste, sufficiently direct, brakes very progressive, early part is energy recovery and transitions well to friction of needed.
Quiet obviously, have just left all the ADAS stuff as delivered. No significant issues like I got with Volvo, eg slamming brakes on at slightest opportunity. Occasionally it might pick up something on the road, eg edge of a tarmac repair and think you're going to change lane without signalling and gives gentle feedback through the steering wheel. Note gentle not obtrusive.
Tend not to use all the auto this/ auto that eg fancy cruise control can't comment there.
Fully charged it shows 252 miles range, would expect 200+ easy on a long run. I've done about 70 miles in running about since last charge and it's still on 69% charge. If it shows less than 3.5 m/kWh consumption at the end of a journey, either it's been a short run with lots of heater, heated seats & steering wheel use, or been giving it some clog.
In winter make sure you have windscreen wash fluid at suitable strength as there is no engine heat to defrost. Handily in grotty weather if use rear wash wipe, the rear camera also gets its own washer jet.
Most of the bits and bobs you want while driving, eg HVAC are on proper buttons beneath the screen.
If you haven't used the preconditioning setup on winter mornings no matter it warms up and defrosts remarkably rapidly.
Would definitely recommend you finding the pdf of the manual downloading it and having a good read to figure your way round the screens and other stuff.
What do not like.
It has the auto matrix headlights, at times they're ok and at others remarkably stupid. Great on dip but unimpressed with main beam. My Freelander2 4xH7 setup outperforms it noticeably.
When you lock it does that extremely irritating loud double bipbip so beloved of Hollywood filmmakers. Especially annoying if you're coming home late when folks are in bed. Not discovered any way of turning that off.
I know some people have complained about vision at night with the heated windscreen, not been an issue for me.
Anything else you want to know about.
I don't do anywhere near your miles in it for complicated reasons away from cars.
So far biggest problem has been
1. Getting the Vx app to work properly. It's more or less ok now but still a poor app imo.
2. Occasionally the tailgate stops mid open/ close if it detects something it thinks is in the way. You can still open/close it manually. It resets after you've shut the thing down, locked and gone away for a bit.
3. Once only the driver dash display didn't boot up, remedy as above, leave it for a bit.
That's been it.
Other points.
Seats are comfortable. Storage space ok but typical of Stellantis badge engineering
Drives ok, ride not at the compliance level of eg Citroens but had worse. Handles ok, not a sports car obviously, steering bit light for my taste, sufficiently direct, brakes very progressive, early part is energy recovery and transitions well to friction of needed.
Quiet obviously, have just left all the ADAS stuff as delivered. No significant issues like I got with Volvo, eg slamming brakes on at slightest opportunity. Occasionally it might pick up something on the road, eg edge of a tarmac repair and think you're going to change lane without signalling and gives gentle feedback through the steering wheel. Note gentle not obtrusive.
Tend not to use all the auto this/ auto that eg fancy cruise control can't comment there.
Fully charged it shows 252 miles range, would expect 200+ easy on a long run. I've done about 70 miles in running about since last charge and it's still on 69% charge. If it shows less than 3.5 m/kWh consumption at the end of a journey, either it's been a short run with lots of heater, heated seats & steering wheel use, or been giving it some clog.
In winter make sure you have windscreen wash fluid at suitable strength as there is no engine heat to defrost. Handily in grotty weather if use rear wash wipe, the rear camera also gets its own washer jet.
Most of the bits and bobs you want while driving, eg HVAC are on proper buttons beneath the screen.
If you haven't used the preconditioning setup on winter mornings no matter it warms up and defrosts remarkably rapidly.
Would definitely recommend you finding the pdf of the manual downloading it and having a good read to figure your way round the screens and other stuff.
What do not like.
It has the auto matrix headlights, at times they're ok and at others remarkably stupid. Great on dip but unimpressed with main beam. My Freelander2 4xH7 setup outperforms it noticeably.
When you lock it does that extremely irritating loud double bipbip so beloved of Hollywood filmmakers. Especially annoying if you're coming home late when folks are in bed. Not discovered any way of turning that off.
I know some people have complained about vision at night with the heated windscreen, not been an issue for me.
Anything else you want to know about.
gmaz said:
I'd probably go for an ID3 over any Stellantis platform, as it is your livelihood
I was just going to say that AA franchise EV options are ID3, Mini and BYD Dolphin. No idea if this suggests any assessment of learner car suitability or reliability, or just comes down to the deals the manufacturers offered 
Pistonheadsdicoverer said:
Nissan Leaf Tekna. Built like a tank with all mods/cons you could think of (except powered tailgate).
It will be out of warranty though (but that shouldn't matter as you're using it for work).
Plus your pupils may end up buying a used one (for around £2000) to toy around until they graduate.
Other candidates may include the MG EV4.
I like the Leaf other than the CHAdeMO charging. Even though I'm home charging the option to publicly charge is useful. It will be out of warranty though (but that shouldn't matter as you're using it for work).
Plus your pupils may end up buying a used one (for around £2000) to toy around until they graduate.
Other candidates may include the MG EV4.
The MGs appeal but I'm wary of reliability
FiF said:
Have Astra EV Tourer Ultimate. What do you want to know?
I don't do anywhere near your miles in it for complicated reasons away from cars.
So far biggest problem has been
1. Getting the Vx app to work properly. It's more or less ok now but still a poor app imo.
2. Occasionally the tailgate stops mid open/ close if it detects something it thinks is in the way. You can still open/close it manually. It resets after you've shut the thing down, locked and gone away for a bit.
3. Once only the driver dash display didn't boot up, remedy as above, leave it for a bit.
That's been it.
Other points.
Seats are comfortable. Storage space ok but typical of Stellantis badge engineering
Drives ok, ride not at the compliance level of eg Citroens but had worse. Handles ok, not a sports car obviously, steering bit light for my taste, sufficiently direct, brakes very progressive, early part is energy recovery and transitions well to friction of needed.
Quiet obviously, have just left all the ADAS stuff as delivered. No significant issues like I got with Volvo, eg slamming brakes on at slightest opportunity. Occasionally it might pick up something on the road, eg edge of a tarmac repair and think you're going to change lane without signalling and gives gentle feedback through the steering wheel. Note gentle not obtrusive.
Tend not to use all the auto this/ auto that eg fancy cruise control can't comment there.
Fully charged it shows 252 miles range, would expect 200+ easy on a long run. I've done about 70 miles in running about since last charge and it's still on 69% charge. If it shows less than 3.5 m/kWh consumption at the end of a journey, either it's been a short run with lots of heater, heated seats & steering wheel use, or been giving it some clog.
In winter make sure you have windscreen wash fluid at suitable strength as there is no engine heat to defrost. Handily in grotty weather if use rear wash wipe, the rear camera also gets its own washer jet.
Most of the bits and bobs you want while driving, eg HVAC are on proper buttons beneath the screen.
If you haven't used the preconditioning setup on winter mornings no matter it warms up and defrosts remarkably rapidly.
Would definitely recommend you finding the pdf of the manual downloading it and having a good read to figure your way round the screens and other stuff.
What do not like.
It has the auto matrix headlights, at times they're ok and at others remarkably stupid. Great on dip but unimpressed with main beam. My Freelander2 4xH7 setup outperforms it noticeably.
When you lock it does that extremely irritating loud double bipbip so beloved of Hollywood filmmakers. Especially annoying if you're coming home late when folks are in bed. Not discovered any way of turning that off.
I know some people have complained about vision at night with the heated windscreen, not been an issue for me.
Anything else you want to know about.
Thank you for the detailed reply. What range to you get on average during winter?I don't do anywhere near your miles in it for complicated reasons away from cars.
So far biggest problem has been
1. Getting the Vx app to work properly. It's more or less ok now but still a poor app imo.
2. Occasionally the tailgate stops mid open/ close if it detects something it thinks is in the way. You can still open/close it manually. It resets after you've shut the thing down, locked and gone away for a bit.
3. Once only the driver dash display didn't boot up, remedy as above, leave it for a bit.
That's been it.
Other points.
Seats are comfortable. Storage space ok but typical of Stellantis badge engineering
Drives ok, ride not at the compliance level of eg Citroens but had worse. Handles ok, not a sports car obviously, steering bit light for my taste, sufficiently direct, brakes very progressive, early part is energy recovery and transitions well to friction of needed.
Quiet obviously, have just left all the ADAS stuff as delivered. No significant issues like I got with Volvo, eg slamming brakes on at slightest opportunity. Occasionally it might pick up something on the road, eg edge of a tarmac repair and think you're going to change lane without signalling and gives gentle feedback through the steering wheel. Note gentle not obtrusive.
Tend not to use all the auto this/ auto that eg fancy cruise control can't comment there.
Fully charged it shows 252 miles range, would expect 200+ easy on a long run. I've done about 70 miles in running about since last charge and it's still on 69% charge. If it shows less than 3.5 m/kWh consumption at the end of a journey, either it's been a short run with lots of heater, heated seats & steering wheel use, or been giving it some clog.
In winter make sure you have windscreen wash fluid at suitable strength as there is no engine heat to defrost. Handily in grotty weather if use rear wash wipe, the rear camera also gets its own washer jet.
Most of the bits and bobs you want while driving, eg HVAC are on proper buttons beneath the screen.
If you haven't used the preconditioning setup on winter mornings no matter it warms up and defrosts remarkably rapidly.
Would definitely recommend you finding the pdf of the manual downloading it and having a good read to figure your way round the screens and other stuff.
What do not like.
It has the auto matrix headlights, at times they're ok and at others remarkably stupid. Great on dip but unimpressed with main beam. My Freelander2 4xH7 setup outperforms it noticeably.
When you lock it does that extremely irritating loud double bipbip so beloved of Hollywood filmmakers. Especially annoying if you're coming home late when folks are in bed. Not discovered any way of turning that off.
I know some people have complained about vision at night with the heated windscreen, not been an issue for me.
Anything else you want to know about.
rolo0151 said:
Thank you for the detailed reply. What range to you get on average during winter?
For complicated reasons pretty much all my mileage over winter was short runs from cold. So lots of heating etc, I don't compromise on being warm and comfortable. So obviously if only doing a couple of miles then it's difficult to hit 3.5m/kWh, but a bit further and you'll be there or above. Had a few ridiculously economical runs.I don't really take much notice of range travelled. It's not an issue for me. I just run it day to day and charge it when needed, bit like done with petrol and diesel stuff. If it's a really busy time will be charged once in the week, usually it's every other week. Sometimes goes 3 weeks, as said do far far fewer miles than you.
Sorry not much help I know. How many miles do you do in a teaching day?
I would consider whether or not you want to offer learners the option of one-pedal driving, where the car decelerates fairly promptly to a halt just by releasing the accelerator pedal. Potentially driving gently in an urban area, you might only need the brake pedal for the emergency stop.
Personally I like it and think it could be quite intuitive for learners - press down to go, lift off to stop again - but opinions differ.
Anyway, the Citroen e-C4 I had didn't offer one-pedal, and AFAIK the Astra (also being Stellantis) doesn't either, whereas the Leaf (for example) does, as do Polestars. So if you think that would make your students' life easier, you might want to look elsewhere.
In general I think an EV will save you a _lot_ of money, and also likely not suffer wear from poor driving. I also think (one pedal or not) it'll be easier for students to learn to maneouvre in, although speed awareness is IME more tricky as you don't have the engine note.
rolo0151 said:
I like the Leaf other than the CHAdeMO charging. Even though I'm home charging the option to publicly charge is useful.
The MGs appeal but I'm wary of reliability
Chademo is readily available at public chargers, if it suits you otherwise discarding it for that seems daft. Leafs are bulletproof, it's hard to think of an EV better suited to driving school use.The MGs appeal but I'm wary of reliability
hidetheelephants said:
Chademo is readily available at public chargers, if it suits you otherwise discarding it for that seems daft. Leafs are bulletproof, it's hard to think of an EV better suited to driving school use.
Just to confirm as well, Chademo is optional. It comes with a normal charging port as well for home charging.hidetheelephants said:
Chademo is readily available at public chargers, if it suits you otherwise discarding it for that seems daft. Leafs are bulletproof, it's hard to think of an EV better suited to driving school use.
It's not readily available across many of the new hub services. Plenty of networks now are just CCS.If I took J36 M4 as an extreme example (roughly 50 rapid charger connectios), across the Tesla Public, Tesla Open, Applegreen, legacy gridserve and Sainsbury's chargers, there's 3 Chademo connectors.
But agreed for a driving school it's a bargain and reliable car. Far better than Stellantis.
rolo0151 said:
The MGs appeal but I'm wary of reliability
For what little the experience of one person is worth, our MG4 has been faultless for the 18 months we've had it (and as far as I know for the 25ish months it has been on the road in total). We did test drive a Stellantis car and (the Mokka) and it seemed... OK in that Stellantisy sort of way, which is thoroughly unspiring for anyone remotely interested in cars, but probably ideal for a driving instructor. ETA: Having said that, it did flatten its 12v battery once and needed jump starting, but we haven't had any other problems. As a driving instructor, it's probably worth being aware that it's very obviously RWD and allows a surprising amount of slip before the stability control reins it in. If you have a student who mashes the throttle on a roundabout in the wet, they will end up going sideways.
Edited by kambites on Friday 27th March 09:50
hidetheelephants said:
rolo0151 said:
I like the Leaf other than the CHAdeMO charging. Even though I'm home charging the option to publicly charge is useful.
The MGs appeal but I'm wary of reliability
Chademo is readily available at public chargers, if it suits you otherwise discarding it for that seems daft. Leafs are bulletproof, it's hard to think of an EV better suited to driving school use.The MGs appeal but I'm wary of reliability
Skodillac said:
In my experience (I'm on my 3rd Leaf) Chademo is becoming an advantage at public chargers, because there's hardly anyone else using them. I often see all CCS chargers occupied, but, oh look, there's the Chademo one, free. Chortle.
All the Chademo chargers I see seem to be dual-headed, I can't remember the last time I saw a Chademo-only DC charger!You can get adapters to charge from CCS chargers for not much money anyway, can't you?
Edited by kambites on Friday 27th March 10:01
kambites said:
Skodillac said:
In my experience (I'm on my 3rd Leaf) Chademo is becoming an advantage at public chargers, because there's hardly anyone else using them. I often see all CCS chargers occupied, but, oh look, there's the Chademo one, free. Chortle.
All the Chademo chargers I see seem to be dual-headed, I can't remember the last time I saw a Chademo-only DC charger!Gassing Station | EV and Alternative Fuels | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff