OVER the past few years, so-called downsizing has been responsible for a completely new look to the small family car sector.
Three of the front runners in this segment have traditionally been the Ford Focus, VW Golf and the Vauxhall Astra and the wave of highly competent newcomers recently sparked a further sea change for these family favourites.
Early last year, new models of the Golf and Astra drove into the UK marketplace while the Mark II Focus is due to grace British driveways from this month, all adding further to the trend which provides a big car feel in a compact body - a must for the increasingly sophisticated buyers in this sector.
In most cases, estate car versions are one of the last of a new range to emerge on the scene and November heralded the arrival of the new Vauxhall Astra load lugger.
The previous Astra Estate was a strong performer in the UK marketplace, but this station wagon derivative of the fifth generation Astra takes load-lugging luxury on to an even higher plane.
The latest Astra Estate comes with a quartet of petrol engine options - 1.4-litre 90bhp, 1.6-litre 105bhp, 1.8-litre 125bhp and a 170bhp 2.0-litre Turbo with diesel power provided by a 1.7-litre in 80bhp or 100bhp guise and a 1.9-litre in 120bhp and 150bhp form. All these Vauxhall power sources are Euro4 emission compliant.
There are seven trim levels from which to choose - Expression, Life, Club, Design, Elite, SXi and SRi - with even the entry level model coming generously kitted out with air con, electric front windows, follow-me-home lighting function, stereo/CD player, remote central locking and ABS braking coming as standard.
To qualify for top all-rounder status, the mid-sized estate has to provide plenty of capacity complemented by thoughtful versatility, plus a driving capability as good as its hatchback stablemate.
All of this Vauxhall has achieved here The extra three and a half inches in length over the hatchback version have translated into a luggage bay capable of swallowing 470-litres of cargo with the rear seats still in situ or 1,550 litres with them swiftly folded down flat.
The large tailgate and user-friendly low loading lip ease the way into a symmetrically shaped load area but, while the practicality of Vauxhall's clever FlexOrganiser system can help to keep your shopping under control with dividers and nets, it will add an extra £50 to your bill.
Although sliding rear seats also come as an extra cost option, there is still plenty of room for passengers. The seats themselves are a little on the firm side, but this doesn't compromise passenger comfort in a cabin which has retained the practical and thoughtfully laid-out look of the new Astra hatchback interior.
The test car came with Design trim which added automatic lighting control, part leather trim, electric windows all round, driver information centre with trip computer, front fogs and that fine aid to driver safety, steering wheel-mounted audio controls.
Mounted on 16-inch 10-spoke alloys, the Astra Estate exhibited good road manners, handling keenly and accurately on a suspension set-up that had been uprated from the hatchback model.
The test Estate was powered by the two-litre Turbo petrol engine which did full justice to the 170bhp stamped on the tin, capable of doing the 0-60mph dash in 8.3 seconds, en route to a top speed where legally allowable of 135mph, in pretty refined fashion.
Mated to a smooth-slotting six-speed manual gearbox, it proved an effective roadway companion, although its promise of 31.0 mpg over the combined driving cycle and high CO2 emissions rating may prompt some to look to the diesel options for greater economy.
While the load-carrying body has lost that neat rear lighting set-up of the new hatchback, overall, the new Astra Estate is a likeable, nice to drive, flexible and roomy car which, with Vauxhall's extensive safety systems, looks tailor-made to become a true family affair.
FAST FACTS
Vauxhall Astra 2.0-litre Turbo Estate
Price: £18,695
Mechanical: 170bhp, 1998cc 4-cylinder petrol engine driving front wheels via 6-spd manual transmission
Max speed: 135mph
0-60mph: 8.3 secs
Combined mpg: 31.0
Insurance Group: 16
CO2 emissions: 218g/km
BiK rating: 29%
Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles; 6yrs anti rust.