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Opel refreshes the Astra L with a Vizor-style face and glowing Blitz
Stellantis has pulled the cover off the mid-cycle refresh for the sixth-generation Opel Astra L ahead of its public debut at the Brussels Motor Show (January 9–18, 2026). The compact hatchback and Sports Tourer wagon get a modernized front end that follows Opel’s Vizor design language — now with a split LED daytime running light bar and an illuminated Opel Blitz emblem at center stage.
Short, bold and unmistakable: that’s the visual message. The 2026 Astra keeps its compact proportions but reads fresher and more upscale thanks to sharper lighting graphics, updated wheel options and new colorways. Opel says the updated exterior aligns the Astra with the brand’s recent family look while introducing details that help it stand out in the hotly contested small-car segment.
What’s new outside
The headline item is the front fascia. The LED daytime running lights form an interrupted light bar that frames the grille area and highlights a lit Blitz logo. Opel also equips the range with the latest Intelli‑Lux HD matrix headlights, boasting more than 50,000 lighting elements for precise beam shaping and glare-free high-beam use.
Other exterior updates include:
- New 17- and 18‑inch alloy wheel designs
- Two fresh metallic paints — Kontur White and Klover Green — with an optional black roof
- Subtle trim and bumper revisions to modernize the stance
Interior upgrades and practicality
Inside, Opel has focused on materials and ergonomics. All cabin fabrics across Astra and Astra Electric trims now come from 100% recycled sources, underlining Stellantis’s push toward more sustainable interiors. The company also promises a clearer and more intuitive cockpit layout: "the cockpit and user interfaces of multimedia infotainment and the like have been made even clearer and more intuitive," Opel says.
Practical buyers will appreciate that the Sports Tourer maintains class-leading load capacity — up to 1,634 liters (57.7 cu ft) with the rear seats folded — keeping it competitive against rivals such as the VW Golf Estate.
Powertrains: ICE, hybrid and electric
Opel hasn’t abandoned conventional powertrains; internal-combustion and hybrid options remain in the lineup. But the facelift brings notable improvements for the Astra Electric. The compact EV now uses a 58‑kWh battery and gains WLTP-rated range of 454 km (282 miles) — roughly 34 km (21 miles) more than the previous setup. That increase targets everyday usability and longer commutes without frequent recharging.
New to the Astra Electric is Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, enabling owners to power external devices — from e-bikes to camping gear — directly from the car’s battery.
Where the Astra sits in the market
Launched originally in 2021 on the EMP2 platform during the PSA era, the sixth-gen Astra has carried Opel’s compact-car ambitions through ownership changes and now into Stellantis’s fold. It remains a primary challenger to the Volkswagen Golf and one of the few European compact models still sold in both hatchback and wagon forms, following the withdrawal of models such as the Ford Focus from some markets.
There’s also a touch of nostalgia in the story: Opel once fit into GM’s global portfolio alongside Buick, and enthusiasts still lament that the Astra never made it to North America in volume. Under Stellantis, Opel is dialing up visual appeal that could broaden its international recognition.
Key highlights
- Exterior: Vizor-inspired front end, interrupted LED DRL bar, illuminated Blitz emblem
- Lighting: Intelli‑Lux HD matrix headlights with 50k+ elements
- Interior: 100% recycled fabrics, improved infotainment ergonomics, standard Intelli‑Seats on base trims
- Wheels & colors: New 17" & 18" alloys; Kontur White and Klover Green options
- Cargo: Sports Tourer max load 1,634 L (57.7 cu ft)
- EV: 58‑kWh battery, 454 km WLTP range, V2L support
Quote: "The refreshed Astra combines Opel’s Vizor identity with practical upgrades — from more sustainable interiors to longer EV range," an Opel representative commented.
Expect the 2026 Opel Astra L to appear on the Brussels show floor alongside other recent Opel launches such as the Mokka, Frontera and Grandland Electric. The facelift balances style, sustainability and improved EV usability — a winning combination for buyers who want compact-car practicality with modern tech and greener materials.
Source: autoevolution
Comments
DaNix
V2L cool, but 58 kWh and 454 km WLTP? real world will be less, so curious about efficiency numbers and charging speeds... anyone seen more data?
v8rider
that lit Blitz is wild, kinda love it! Vizor look finally feels grown up. 50k LEDs tho…overkill? still, wheel options and recycled fabrics sell it. hoping price stays sane
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