Jump inside and you’ll find that the design is similar to the larger Insignia and the Astra hatch. It is worlds away from the previous Astra estate and the materials used on the dash are softer and of better quality. The Sports Tourer is still short of the quality levels on something like a Volkswagen but Vauxhall has moved the game on with this more upmarket interior.

You can get a good driving position as there is plenty of adjustment in both the seat and steering column.

The Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer comfort is impressive. The ride quality is excellent: it’s firm but compliant enough to soak up the bumps on rutted roads. On the motorway the Sports Tourer feels nicely planted and your passengers will emerge from lengthy trips feeling pretty fresh. Up front the seats are fairly comfortable. There is good lumbar support, and although there’s not much side support on the standard models the SRi’s sporty seats hold you in nicely when you are cornering hard.

Engine and road noise has been well suppressed, but you do get some wind noise from the wing mirrors when travelling at motorway speeds.