2022 Opel Astra Rumored To Get A Crossover Variant

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A few months ago Opel launched the new-generation Astra in five-door hatchback form and confirmed it will be joined by the longer and more practical Astra Sports Tourer estate in 2022. However, the Astra range will reportedly be expanded further with the addition of a third variant featuring increased ground clearance and crossover-inspired styling.

The rumored Opel Astra Cross, internally codenamed OV54, would be a direct rival to the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack, the Toyota Corolla Trek, and the Ford Focus Active Wagon. Given that most of the C-Segment crossovers are based on the more practical station wagon bodystyles (with the exception of the Kia XCeed and the Ford Focus Active five-door hatchbacks), it is likely that Opel will follow the trend.

Thus, the most plausible scenario for the Astra Cross is to be a jacked-up version of the Astra Sports Tourer with retuned suspension and additional plastic cladding – just like the Insignia Country Tourer. This is what we depicted on the exclusive rendering with fender extensions similar to the Mokka, increased ground clearance, and aluminum-style skid plates, using the hatchback as a basis.

There is also a chance Opel will follow a different strategy and create an Astra-based crossover similar to the Toyota Corolla Cross which boasts a completely redesigned body compared to the Toyota Corolla hatchback. This though would require a heavier investment in design and development, and we are not sure if it makes sense for a company that is already offering the Mokka, Crossland, and Grandland SUVs.

In any case, the Astra Cross would borrow the powertrain options from the regular Astra. Those include a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder petrol engine producing 108 hp (81 kW / 110 PS) or 128 hp (96 kW / 130 PS), a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel producing 128 hp (96 kW / 130 PS), and two plug-in hybrid variants producing a combined 178 hp (132 kW / 180 PS) or 222 hp (166 kW / 225 PS). Finally, there could be an all-electric version as Opel has confirmed the upcoming Astra-e hatchback for 2023.

The Opel Astra Sports Tourer has been spied showing its extended wheelbase and the significantly longer rear overhang in the same fashion as the Peugeot 308 SW sibling.

All variants of the new Astra are exclusively offered in front-wheel-drive; even though Stellantis has an all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid system, it is reserved for C-SUVs like the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4. In terms of the competition, only the Volkswagen Group is currently offering AWD as an option in the compact crossover station wagon segment, in the VW Golf Alltrack and the Skoda Octavia Scout.

Stellantis reportedly considered offering a similar crossover variant of the Peugeot 308 SW which is sharing its underpinnings with the Astra Sports Tourer. However, according to auto.cz, this project was canceled since there is not enough room in this segment for two rivaling adventurous estates from sibling manufacturers.

We will learn more about Opel’s plans in the near future. The automaker, who is already offering BEV or PHEV variants of almost all of its range, wants to go electric-only in Europe by 2028.