Vauxhall Astra GTC

the ratings stinge

Dear AE, I follow your tests and views on cars almost daily and I know I am whining but how can you give a car that looks great, drives great and it is practical despite it's form a 4 star? Is it consumption? This is a 180hp engine, what should we expect, 45mpg? I have a Saab 93 with 150 hp that rates much worse than that.

By PAAdam on 7 February, 2012, 5:35am

Vauxhall are getting better and better.
Shame about their dinosaur dealers and Customer service.

By toycollector on 7 February, 2012, 8:11am

@PAAdam

HI @PAAdam,

Thanks for reading and contributing. Did you see our group test a few weeks ago? The Astra GTC is a very good car, but it's just not as good as the Scirocco (and if a car isn't the class leader, then it isn't be a five-star car).

The Astra GTC is cheaper than the Scirocco and looks better in our opinion, but the high running costs and lack of driver appeal hold it back.

But each buyer's priorities are different, and life would be quite dull if we all drove the same car...

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/275125/vauxhall_astra_gtc_vs_rivals.html

Thanks,
Auto Express

By Rhian on 7 February, 2012, 10:51am

if a car isn't the class leader, then it isn't be a five-star car?

Huh? Only one car per class can get five stars? Sounds like drivel to me. If there are two cars which are great and it's down to personal choice which you prefer then they should get the same rating. I'm happy with it not being as good and so not worthy of five stars, I was just concerned by your blanket statement. (Oh, and a class leader might still be worth only 4 stars if the rest of the class was no better than 3.)

By aje21 on 7 February, 2012, 4:41pm

Ouch! 168g Emissions

And the new Focus Zetec S 1.6 Ecoboost only produces 134g/km making it cheaper to tax and should return 42mpg.
Not to mention about 2 grand cheaper too.

Come on Vauxhall, catch up! other manufacturers are producing sporty cars with lower emissions and better economy. Just another reason not to buy a vauxhall.

By balcstar on 8 February, 2012, 11:47am

@ balcstar

Am I missing something here? I thought the Ford Ecoboost is like 21k while the Astra GTC is 18k. Sure, the Ford is very very good at most areas except design, I couldn't get myself to buy its design.

By PAAdam on 9 February, 2012, 6:46am

Griffin bashing

Here we go again yet another Vauxhall bashing,If it dose not have a Vw,Ford,Bmw,Audi or Mini badge on it then it is never going to win a group test.I can not think of 1 time when a Vauxhall has won a group test in your BIAST mag,Despite being better looking more practical ETC.Which is why i do not or will not subscribe to this waste of paper.

By tuting on 9 February, 2012, 3:38pm

3-door or not 3-door that is the question...

To my mind you cannot compare a 3-door to a 5-door, especially not when the focus doesn't come in a 3-door! When you put the Astra 5-door up against the Focus, ok its engine still isn't as clean with 159g/km (actually better than 168g/km for the 3-door GTC) but that is due basically to the focus having start/stop i guess, you find them almost identically priced at £20,500ish. For the sportier car tho, I'd rather have the GTC. For the extra cost you get a better handling car (the first time that an Astra has ever beaten a Focus in that area), better spec with 18" alloys etc and a much better looking car, Griffin wins this time in my mind.

By biggerO1 on 12 February, 2012, 1:39pm

Saw one today on the road

And it looked fantastic. Same colour as the one in the pictures, it made me look twice as I had never seen something look so aggressive with a Vauxhall badge stamped on it.

Bring on the VXR!

By Kiddir on 8 March, 2012, 12:04am

I currently drive a VW Golf GT Sport diesel and prior to this drove an Audi A3, both from new. I have just ordered an Astra GTC. After the Golf I had decided that my next car would be a coupe, the Scirocco being the firm favourite. After visiting both VW and Vauxhall garages and checked out both the GTC and Scirocco the choice was easy, the GTC. It looks even better in the flesh than in the pictures and its kerbside appeal leaves the Scirocco standing, not to mention its practicality. It is also a nicer place to sit. Too mant reviews state that the interior isn't up to the quality of the VW . . rubbish (I drive a VW). It is easily as well made and makes the VW look and feel very dated. Also the Vauxhall dealerships were much more friendly and helpful than the VW garage. Can't wait til I get mine and can't recommend the GTC enough.

By andybrown42 on 9 March, 2012, 6:42pm