• Five-star Euro NCAP crash-testing score
• Intellilux LED headlamps impressed us
• Driving Assistance Pack loaded with kit

As a body derivative of the hatchback, the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer has effectively already achieved the full five-star crash test rating for safety from the experts at Euro NCAP.

In spite of its lightness, the latest Astra Sports Tourer employs a greater degree of ultra-high strength steel in its construction, with six airbags to protect passengers in the event of an accident.

As with the majority of contemporary cars there’s a host of electronic aids to boost the Vauxhall’s stability, further reducing the opportunity for a driver to lose control in the first place.

Safety equipment closely mirrors that of the Vauxhall Astra Hatchback, with SRi and Elite models featuring the Driving Assistance Pack.

Night driving is significantly improved with the optional LED Intellilux matrix headlamps, featuring 16 independent lighting pods that allow sections of illunimation to be switched on and off to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers,.

Further safety extras include blind-spot warning and an automatic parking function.

• Spacious boot isn’t the class leader
• Plenty of cabin space on offer
• Elite versions have 40:20:40 split rear seat

While the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer’s undoubtedly a practical estate car, the company has been wise not to make any claims about its spaciousness setting new class standards – in terms of outright volume it falls considerably short.

With all five seats in place the Sports Tourer offers 540 litres of boot space, which is enough to trump the Ford Focus Estate’s 490-litre tally but is shy of what the Honda Civic Tourer (624 litres), Peugeot 308 SW (660 litres), Skoda Octavia Estate (610 litres) and Volkswagen Golf Estate (605 litres) can muster.

Fold the split rear seats – 60:40 on all models barring the Elite which features a 40:20:40 arrangement – and it’s a similar story: the Vauxhall’s 1,630-litre capacity beats the Ford (1,495 litres) and VW (1,620 litres) but loses out to the Honda (1,668 litres), Peugeot (1,775 litres) and Skoda (1,740 litres).

Additional carrying capacity is offered on top as all Astra Sports Tourers feature roof rails as standard to ease the fitment of a top box, while this Vauxhall’s also the first from the marque to be fitted with an automatic tailgate operated with a foot wiggle under the rear bumper.

Dotted around the cabin are plenty of sensibly shaped and sized storage cubbies. The boot itself has usefully perpendicular sides and the rear seats fold very easily giving a nearly flat load floor.

Our only gripe was the retractable loadspace cover – when stowed the leading edge hangs downwards into the boot meaning larger items like suitcases can foul its path when you want to pull it shut.