Award-winning Opel Vehicles in 2022: From All-New Opel Astra to Opel Zafira-e Life

• “Astra-nomical”: “Golden Steering Wheel 2022”1 and numerous “Car of the Year” awards for Opel compact class bestseller
• Innovative propulsion concept: “40th KS Energy and Environment Award” for Vivaro-e HYDROGEN
• Opel Rocks-e: Autonis Award for “Best Design Novelty” for the innovative light motor vehicle
• Opel Crosscamp Flex: “Connected Car Award” for future campervan based on Zafira-e Life

2022 was a truly “Astra-nomical” year for Opel. Models with the Blitz once again proved to be equally popular with customers, experts and specialist juries. This is demonstrated by sales successes such as the Opel Corsa, which was the most popular small car in 2022 according to official figures from the KBA (Federal Motor Agency), or the Opel Mokka, which was the best-selling electric vehicle in its segment in Germany in autumn. Further proof is offered by the numerous awards Opel received for its innovative models, technologies and solutions – with the "Golden Steering Wheel 2022"1 for the new Opel Astra and Astra Sports Tourer leading the way. In 2022, almost every model in the Opel line-up received at least one award.

“Emotional, suitable for everyday use and above all electrified - this is already normal at Opel today,” said Opel CEO Florian Huettl. “Models like the new Astra, the Grandland or the Mokka show how we inspire people with future-proof mobility solutions. This is only possible with an exemplary team performance, and this is recognised by experts and customers alike with numerous awards. Thank you for that!”

At the beginning of 2022, Opel received the “The ONE” award for “Most Reputable Passenger Car Brand of the Year” in Turkey. Approachable, innovative and with great attention to detail, the Opel Corsa has been hugely popular for more than 40 years. The small car bestseller received several awards last year on the important British market: It was named "Best Fleet Supermini" by Fleet World, "Used Small Car of the Year" as well as "Used Car of the Year 2023" across all classes by Carbuyer. The Opel Mokka was named "Car of the Year 2022" in Latvia, "Irish Small SUV of the Year 2022" in Ireland and received the "Erin Baker Award" in the United Kingdom for the battery-electric Mokka-e.

All-New Opel Astra takes “Golden Steering Wheel”: Into a new Opel era with the serial winner

In the autumn, another great honour was bestowed on Opel when the new Astra took the “Golden Steering Wheel 2022” 1. And Opel brand ambassador Jürgen Klopp couldn’t hide his delight when seeing his own all-new Astra for the first time, stating: “Wow, there it is”. With its attractive design, top technologies and electrified for the first time as a plug-in hybrid, the compact class newcomer from Rüsselsheim convinced the readers of AUTO BILD and BILD am SONNTAG as well as the expert jury both as a five-door hatchback and as a Sports Tourer estate. The latest generation of the bestseller prevailed against strong competition and won one of the most prestigious awards in the automotive industry as “Best Car up to €50,000”. It thus completed an extraordinary serial success for Opel: After the Opel Corsa-e 2 in 2020 and the Opel Mokka-e 3 in 2021, the coveted award went to Rüsselsheim for the third time in as many years. However, as a true “champion”, the new Astra generation does not rest on its laurels. Independent GCOTY expert jury of the “German Car Awards” also voted the Astra “German Compact Car of the Year 2023” 4. And the Astra Sports Tourer estate has already won the “FAMILY CAR of the Year” award.

Elsewhere, Opel Rocks-e also impressed the public wits completely new, completely different and completely electric approach to urban mobility. Innovative light motor vehicle for two brings a breath of fresh air to its segment – with a style that is exceptional in every respect. And thus, the readers of auto motor und sport voted Opel Rocks-e “Best Design Novelty of 2022” in the “Mini Cars” category with an overwhelming majority.

And Opel’s large models added further trophies. Readers of AUTO BILD and COMPUTER BILD recently cast their votes and awarded the “Connected Car Award 2022” to the Crosscamp Flex, an electric campervan planned on the basis of the Opel Zafira-e Life. In addition, the best-selling battery-electric Opel Vivaro-e, winner of “International Van of the Year 2021” now also carries the title of “Irish Van of the Year 2022”. And the innovative Opel Vivaro-e HYDROGEN received the “40th KS Energy and Environment Prize” in Germany.

[1] AUTO BILD edition 45/2022 and BILD am SONNTAG edition 46/2022, category for “Best car up to €50,000”.

[2] AUTO BILD and BILD am SONNTAG edition 45/2020, category for “Small cars”.

[3] AUTO BILD edition 45/2021 and BILD am SONNTAG edition 46/2021, category for “Best car under €25,000” incl. environmental bonus.

[4] German Compact Car of the Year” (compact class category, up to €30,000).

All-New Opel Astra is “German Compact Car of the Year 2023”

• Best compact car in Germany: Newest Opel compact class impresses expert jury
• Clear winner: Opel Astra and Astra Sports Tourer with significant lead over competition

All-new Opel Astra has been named “German Compact Car of the Year 2023” 1. Independent expert jury of the “German Car Awards” chose the new generation Astra and Astra Sports Tourer as the best compact-class car in Germany, well ahead of the competitors in this segment. Innovative safety technologies, which Opel makes affordable for a broad range of buyers in the compact class with the new Astra, convinced the panel of 27 automotive experts and journalists just as much as the wide range of powertrains, including the electrified plug-in hybrid with which Astra drivers can travel locally emissions-free and especially responsible for the first time. Jury also praised the eye-catching, progressive design along with the driving pleasure and the value for money offered by the Astra. The prestigious award was officially presented yesterday evening at a ceremony in Bad Dürkheim, Germany.

“Award for ‘German Car of the Year’ in the compact class for the Astra and the Astra Sports Tourer shows once again that the latest generation is not only a real challenger but also has what it takes to be a winner in every respect,” said Andreas Marx, the head of Opel in Germany.

“Opel Astra distinguishes itself in its segment as a true all-rounder, which convinced our jury in every aspect. Incidentally, this also applies to emotional criteria such as design and driving pleasure, where it clearly distanced itself from the competing models," said Jens Meiners from the GCOTY jury.

Opel Astra and Astra Sports Tourer: Eye-catching driving pleasure

During extensive test drives, judges took a close look at new Opel Astra. Driving behaviour, usability, comfort and many other aspects were considered. Disciplines in which latest generation of the compact class bestseller shines. With a system power output of 133 kW/180 hp and strong torque of 360 Newton metres, electrified Opel Astra plug-in hybrid offers pure driving pleasure (WLTP fuel consumption2: 1.1-1.0 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 24-23 g/km; both combined). Five-door accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 7.6 seconds. All-new Opel Astra is thus locally emission-free for the first time.

Intuitive operation of infotainment and assistance systems is made possible by new HMI interface (Human-Machine Interface), learly designed, all-digital Pure Panel cockpit with extra-wide touchscreen and only essential switches, such as for air conditioning. State-of-the-art technologies such as the adaptive, glare-free IntelliLux LED Pixel Light headlamps with a total of 168 LED elements make driving more pleasant and safer, especially in the darker months of the year. AGR-certified (Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V.) ergonomic seats for driver and front passenger, for example in Alcantara, ensure top travel comfort.

“German Car of the Year” award is being presented for the fifth time this year. Independent jury of experts, currently consisting of 27 jurors, selects the respective class winners in five categories – compact, premium, luxury, new energy and performance. Selection of the competition participants is based on objective price and market availability criteria. Election was held for the first time in 2019.

[1] German Compact Car of the Year” (compact class category, up to €30,000).

[2] Values determined using more realistic WLTP (Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure) test method which replaces the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) test procedure. Vehicle not yet available. A vehicle's consumption, CO2 emissions and range not only depend on the efficient use of energy by the vehicle but are also influenced by driving style and other non-technical factors. Information on consumption and emissions does not refer to an individual vehicle and is intended solely for purposes of comparison between the various vehicle types.