Astra: yearly fuel cost
The 2024 Vauxhall Astra occupies the sensible middle ground of family hatchbacks, and its fuel bill follows suit: 8,000 miles a year at £1.45 per litre costs roughly £1,046 — about £87 a month, or £20.10 a week. Its WLTP combined figure of 50.4 mpg trails the hatchback segment average of 53.9 mpg in our 20-car sample, so the Astra is a little thirstier than the class norm despite its reasonable 130 PS and 9.5-second 0–62 time. Five years of fuel adds up to around £5,230. There is nothing alarming here — the Astra's running costs are predictable and moderate — but the hybrid rivals in this list show how much further a tank can go with electrification. Still, the Astra asks little and gives plenty.
Astra owners generally report 46–48 mpg in mixed real-world driving against the 50.4 mpg WLTP claim, with urban commuting and cold starts accounting for most of the shortfall. The petrol engine responds well to unhurried driving: shifting up by 2,500 rpm, maintaining steady motorway speeds at 65–70 mph, and planning ahead in traffic to avoid stop-start surges. As with any family hatch, monthly tyre-pressure checks and a decluttered boot make a measurable difference. Verdict: the Astra is an honest, middle-of-the-road fuel proposition — no surprises, and a smooth driver will land close to the official figure. Filling up at supermarkets rather than motorway service stations saves around 8–10p per litre, and keeping the car serviced on time with fresh oil and a clean air filter helps the engine maintain its quoted efficiency.