IF you like a good-looking wagon that doesn’t compromise functionality at the alter of style, then the Astra Tourer might just be the ticket, since in also rides and handles with a flair too often missing from crossovers and SUVs.

An estate or tourer is often a better-looking proposition than the sedan or hatch on which it is based, plus they tend not to suffer from the packaging, weight and dynamic limitations that seem to be part and parcel of most crossovers.

Here we put the gruff but gutsy CDTi diesel auto under its paces, and come away highly impressed.