Vauxhall Astra vs rivals

Same old rubbish tests

You make me lough.
What a shame to put 2.0 and 2.2 engines against a 1.7 liter.
Pardon me but Octavia is not a hatch.
This are orderd tests.
Unfortunately there are many people who believe in this kind of bullshit.
At least try to be more realistic.

By Christian on 19 November, 2009, 10:21pm

Same Old Rubbish Tests??

Christian, you seem critical, but a few things to put you straight. There is nothing wrong with pitting different sized engines against each other considering these days it's less about the CC and more about power outputs. Also The Octavia most definitely is and always has been a hatch. The contenders in this test are all exactly as I would have expected them to be. Not really sure what your problem is.

By JamesRiley on 20 November, 2009, 4:56pm

"Rubbish" rant and VW group conspiracy-Christian?

Christian, keep it clean, eh?
I am sure that your command of English can't be as bad as that.

How can an Octavia not be called a hatch? It also has a boot bigger than most estates and that is a very compelling proposition for a family man on a budget.

I am not sure about the magazine's new categories and the ranking system but for most of us the "want one" factor would put the Golf top, let alone the points tally.

By hoopster on 20 November, 2009, 9:35pm

IT's not about engine size it's about price.

You get a 2.2 litre Mazda for the same price you get a 1.7 litre Vauxhall. Having said that, if vauxhall really wanted to win this test, then they shoudl've priced their 2 litre diesel at this price, then they could have easily won.

As for the Octavia; even Vauxhall will recognise that it is a hatch, however in my opinion it is a hatch competing with the Insignia and not an Astra because it is too big for this sector.

By Abdurrahman1 on 20 November, 2009, 11:00pm

IT's not about engine size it's about price.

You get a 2.2 litre Mazda for the same price you get a 1.7 litre Vauxhall. Having said that, if vauxhall really wanted to win this test, then they shoudl've priced their 2 litre diesel at this price, then they could have easily won.

As for the Octavia; even Vauxhall will recognise that it is a hatch, however in my opinion it is a hatch competing with the Insignia and not an Astra because it is too big for this sector.

By Abdurrahman1 on 20 November, 2009, 11:01pm

To Hoopster and James

Octavia is a sedan, this is clear like night and day, because is a 4-door.
All the others are hatcbacks - 5 door liftbacks, 3 door liftbacks also called coupes and wagons.

"it's less about the CC and more about power outputs"
No matter, there are differences in power outputs and most of all in torque outputs.

"Rubbish" rant and VW group conspiracy-Christian? "
Roger.

Autoexpress = the UK magazine branch of Autobild Germany.

Do you know how people call it in Germany ? VWBild

When you say vw, you say bribe and conspiracy.
Check this :

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/vw-offers-to-pay-taxes-on-journo-bribes/

http://wissen.spiegel.de/wissen/dokument/dokument.html?id=54092136&top=SPIEGEL&suchbegriff=BROMMER%2C+Ferdinand&vl=0

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2005/aug/02/germany.internationalnews

By Christian on 20 November, 2009, 11:55pm

Astra test.

It leaves me astounded, although not that surprised at the end result.

I skipped the usual comments made on all the various stages and went straight to the result.

It was no surprise that VW was as usual in first place.

Just what is it about you guys that seems to be out of kilter with just about every other organisation.

Honest John for one sees the car totally different to the test you have just carried out.

In addition it has just received the gold award in Europe for being the best car in its class.

However, in every case as far as auto express is concerned , unless it is German the car is no good.

WHAT ABSOLUTE RUBBISH.

I am considering leaving the Auto express in its rightful place on the shelf in the shop.

By jurangqw on 21 November, 2009, 4:01pm

Astra Test

Just maybe the VW is the best.

I've owned Fords (poorly bulit, unreliable) Renault (fell to bits), Golf (solid and reliable)and at the monent i do drive an Astra (nice car) I will look at the new Astra when it comes out but the figures speak for themselves - same list price as the VW but the Astra will loose at lot more money at trade in time.

By Berelli on 22 November, 2009, 6:23pm

Astra test

If the MK5 Golf is anything to go by, then it isn't the best car in the class. Plus it is just so dull!

As for Abdurrahman1's comment of "You get a 2.2 litre Mazda for the same price you get a 1.7 litre Vauxhall", you can get a 2.0D 160ps SRi Astra for less than the price of the Focus in the test, so if Auto Express are going to slag the Astra off on (list) price, at least make it a proper price test and give the Astra the engine that stuffs the opposition (0-60 in 8.5secs, yes please!)

By NSanderson on 23 November, 2009, 12:27pm

Astra test

If the MK5 Golf is anything to go by, then it isn't the best car in the class. Plus it is just so dull!

As for Abdurrahman1's comment of "You get a 2.2 litre Mazda for the same price you get a 1.7 litre Vauxhall", you can get a 2.0D 160ps SRi Astra for less than the price of the Focus in the test, so if Auto Express are going to slag the Astra off on (list) price, at least make it a proper price test and give the Astra the engine that stuffs the opposition (0-60 in 8.5secs, yes please!)

By NSanderson on 23 November, 2009, 12:41pm

Astra test

If the MK5 Golf is anything to go by, then it isn't the best car in the class. Plus it is just so dull!

As for Abdurrahman1's comment of "You get a 2.2 litre Mazda for the same price you get a 1.7 litre Vauxhall", you can get a 2.0D 160ps SRi Astra for less than the price of the Focus in the test, so if Auto Express are going to slag the Astra off on (list) price, at least make it a proper price test and give the Astra the engine that stuffs the opposition (0-60 in 8.5secs, yes please!)

By NSanderson on 23 November, 2009, 12:55pm

Astra test

If the MK5 Golf is anything to go by, then it isn't the best car in the class. Plus it is just so dull!

As for Abdurrahman1's comment of "You get a 2.2 litre Mazda for the same price you get a 1.7 litre Vauxhall", you can get a 2.0D 160ps SRi Astra for less than the price of the Focus in the test, so if Auto Express are going to slag the Astra off on (list) price, at least make it a proper price test and give the Astra the engine that stuffs the opposition (0-60 in 8.5secs, yes please!)

By NSanderson on 23 November, 2009, 12:56pm

Astra test

If the MK5 Golf is anything to go by, then it isn't the best car in the class. Plus it is just so dull!

As for Abdurrahman1's comment of "You get a 2.2 litre Mazda for the same price you get a 1.7 litre Vauxhall", you can get a 2.0D 160ps SRi Astra for less than the price of the Focus in the test, so if Auto Express are going to slag the Astra off on (list) price, at least make it a proper price test and give the Astra the engine that stuffs the opposition (0-60 in 8.5secs, yes please!)

By NSanderson on 23 November, 2009, 12:57pm

Maybe You're Right...

I dont disagree with NSanderson's comment, but I am only looking at the arguments they would use to argue back and I do admit that I neglected to notice that the 2 litre Astra was cheaper than the Focus.

But the facts are that they would never let the Astra win and hence their comment 'there’s more to family life than outright handling' because they know the Astra would win on performance and handling alone and so they had to look for other ways to put the Astra down. Especially the way they scored it last on boot space despite it having a bigger boot than the Golf and Mazda 3.

And then the Golf gets second on looks when in last year's COTY challenge, many judges rated it 0 for looking boring?

Then they put fuel economy along performance, when that should go under costs?

If they were to use the 2 litre diesel, here's how the Astra would've scored:

Costs: 4, because of cheap running costs despite outstanding performance, low insurance and maintanence costs.

Performance: 6, with 0-60 8.5 sec and yet about 60 miles to the gallon.

Luggage: 3, with bigger boot than the Golf and 3.

Comfort: 5, using the Octavia is not a fair test, it's too big and has an interior traling behind the Astra's.

Dynamics: 5, with only the focus having better dynamics as recognised by any other car magazine.

Styling: 6, the Mazda 3 copied Vauxhall's desing language and the Astra has a class leading interior design.

Total: 29,

Astra is the winner!!!

By Abdurrahman1 on 23 November, 2009, 6:57pm

Astra Test

To Berilli - I've owned Fords (poorly bulit, unreliable) Really?

The Focus is the UK's number 1 selling family hatchback and has been for nearly 10 years. Yet how often do you see them broken down? Or a Fiesta, C-max, S max Etc. Fords of late are a different breed, JD POwer and customer satisfaction surveys, coupled with 18.75% of new cars being sold in the UK being Fords. The figures speak for themselves

By Focus_your_mind on 24 November, 2009, 9:35am

Further evidence of the Blue Ovals quality....

Car of the Year
Ford Fiesta
July 2009Ford FiestaWinner: Ford Fiesta
Why it won...


There’s no such thing as a dead cert in this business, but once the Fiesta had steamrollered the opposition in the ultra-competitive supermini sector it was always going to be a strong Car Of The Year contender.

Following on from Ford’s S-MAX and Mondeo, expectations for the latest Fiesta couldn’t have been higher – and it hasn’t disappointed. As there are so many talented superminis, it’s a measure of the blue oval model’s quality that it manages to raise the bar in several key areas.

The sleek exterior makes many peers seem dated, while the cutting-edge cabin is as distinctive as it is attractive. And that’s before you even consider the Fiesta’s dynamic prowess: the nimble chassis and beautifully weighted controls mark it out as something very special, while ride comfort and refinement are also first-rate.

We’ve tested the little Ford more intensely than virtually any other car this year, and it’s never been found wanting. Even base models are a joy to drive. All of our category winners are in the mix when it comes to choosing our champion, but the Fiesta was our judges’ unanimous choice – and that speaks volumes.



Read more: file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/MikeBarrett/Desktop/FIESTA%20CAR%20OF%20THE%20YEAR.htm#ixzz0XlfQ7SME

By Focus_your_mind on 24 November, 2009, 9:37am

What's the Fiesta got to do with it?

Sorry Focus_your_mind, but quoting information about the brand new Fiesta doesn't make sense.

The Focus is at the point where it's a bit old (and after the mk1, dull looking) and had dirty old engines so it never had a chance of coming near the top spot.

The Astra didn't win as it got -1000 points for not having a VW badge despite the fact that it is the better car. Even Top Gear like it!

By NSanderson on 24 November, 2009, 12:18pm

I was making the point that Fords are not poorly built and unreliable. The Fiesta artical mearly backs this up with the line; "it’s a measure of the blue oval's quality that it manages to raise the bar in several key areas". Appreciated it was refering directly to the Fiesta. But when was the last time you saw a Focus broken down by the side of the road? As I'm sure you will appreciate that is a relivant question....

By Focus_your_mind on 24 November, 2009, 4:49pm

Furthermore...

How is a 1.6 ECOnectic Duratorq achieving 78.5 extra urban with only 119 CO2's a dirty old engine? That said the new engines on the 2010 replacement Focus, coupled with a loyal fan base and new clothes. It will be a top spot for sure

By Focus_your_mind on 24 November, 2009, 4:56pm

Focus your mind - i am talking from experience. 1st car Orion - blew up, 2nd car Fiesta - didn't start 3rd day,two new break disks after four months, brake cylinder leaked after five months. 3rd car (and the worst C-max) 11 different faults in the first eight months and very poorly built. My in-laws had the Mk1 focus horrible noisey car and rattled. IMO Fords are not good cars, if you are happy with yours - great!!

By Berelli on 24 November, 2009, 6:32pm

Astra Top

From Top Gear:
"The Astra slips into long-distance mode, giving us time to consider the crunch question: should you consider one over a Golf or Focus?

Short answer: yes, you should. The price, for a start, should keep you interested: similarly specced, the Astra undercuts the Focus by a few hundred quid, and the Golf by more. Mechanically, dynamically and, er, interiorially, the Astra is a fine car. It doesn't move the hatchback game on like the original Focus did in 1998, but it propels Vauxhall right to the head of the pack, a worthy rival that'll match the big boys in just about every department and maybe edge them out in one or two. "

Link: http://www.topgear.com/uk/vauxhall/astra/road-test/1.4-turbo-se

Says it all really...

By NSanderson on 25 November, 2009, 12:27pm

From other non German sources:

'Within a mile of driving the Astra, its clear the Vauxhall offers a drive every bit as involving as the Focus.'

'The boot is among the biggest in its class, and there’s enough storage space in reach of the driver. There’s a real feeling of space up front and a decent amount of room in the back, while visibility is very good.'

'For many years the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf have ruled the class, with the Astra perennially taking the third spot. Not any more - the new Vauxhall Astra is among the very best in its class.'

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/EDITORIAL/CARS/FEATURES/VAUXHALL/ASTRA/2009_vauxhall_astra_driven.html

Go to any website and the Astra has less criticisms than the Golf, in fact the criticisms raise are silly and only raised because nothing else was found gainst the favour of the Astra.

By Abdurrahman1 on 25 November, 2009, 12:53pm

jurangqw said: "However, in every case as far as auto express is concerned , unless it is German the car is no good."

Remeber that there are 3 German cars in this test: Golf, Focus and Astra! Yes, Astra is just a German Opel with griffin badge!

By miki123 on 27 November, 2009, 12:24am

Fords (poorly built and unreliable?)

Got to say, back in the late 80's early 90's, I might have agreed, but to be fair, so were Vauxhalls, and VW were just as bad, except they seemed to rot quicker as I remember. I for one have had the mix, the Ford, the Vauxhalls and the VW's over the last 30 years, and through good and bad, I always seem to come back to Ford...do I like them?...no, not particularly, but they are at present far and away the best cars of the three manufacturers mentioned above. Yes I have had problems,with Fords, and Vauxhalls but then I remember a Golf that refused to start every morning, for 2 months, and come to that I had a Toyota, that had total electrical failure of the dashboard at 75 mph on the motorway (in Ireland 120kmph if you like!) ,I average 60,000 miles a year, so don't tell me Fords are unreliable and poorly built, that's an out and out myth, all cars are much of a muchness these days...but for driving dynamics and comfort,and downright value for money, you'd be hard to beat Ford....just as a footnote, our sales manager has just changed his BMW 3 series....for a Mondeo...cost wasn't an issue here either, so what does that tell you?

By pete_jal on 27 November, 2009, 12:29pm

BMW 3 series....for a Mondeo...cost wasn't an issue here either, so what does that tell you? - he likes to loose money,need the extra space or some else is paying!!

By Berelli on 27 November, 2009, 6:34pm

Christian - look at the first photo on the Luggage page. The car in the foreground is the Octavia. How is that not a hatchback?

Looking through the cars here only the Civic doesn't have predominantly German engineering. VW, Opel (Vauxhall) and Ford of Europe all have their engineering bases in Germany, and the Octavia and Mazda 3 are heavily based on Golf and Focus underpinnings respectively.

If it's any contribution to the Ford quality debate - the only one I have experience of is my parent's 52-reg Ka, which is now very rusty, has a badly slipping clutch and a leaky interior. Granted, it's not one of Ford's modern designs, but on the strength of it I'd be surprised if they'd buy another - it's by some measure worse than every other car they've had since the mid-80s.

By cakewalker90 on 29 November, 2009, 2:08pm

I just drove the new Astra...

I have just returned from Millbrook where I test dove the new Astra right before driving the Focus and I have to say I am well impressed. I drove the 1.6 normally aspirated 115 BHP petrol and it handles like a dream and personally I had more fun than the Focus though the Focus has much better steering, with the Astra I felt as though I was weight lifting, but that's about the only criticism. On the other hand the focus was very noisy at 100 MPH whereas the Astra was smooth.

As for other criticisms raised, like the rear bench is not supportive; what utter rubbish! The rear bench is extremely supportive! As for the centre control; I did not find it at all difficult to use despite the many buttons.

The rear is very spacious and the front seats were well ahead of my knees. Also it would take a stack of books before my head touched the ceiling.

I didn't bother driving the Golf as I've driven both the petrol and diesel and I am not at all impressed. With the Astra I got so carried away at the bends that I almost threw up!

Clearly people who prefer the Golf to the Astra are either poeple who don't know much about cars or people who are biased and somewhat arrogant.

Therefore a big round of applauds for Vauxhall for creating such a British car for such British people.

By Abdurrahman1 on 30 November, 2009, 12:47am

I just drove the new Astra...

I have just returned from Millbrook where I test dove the new Astra right before driving the Focus and I have to say I am well impressed. I drove the 1.6 normally aspirated 115 BHP petrol and it handles like a dream and personally I had more fun than the Focus though the Focus has much better steering, with the Astra I felt as though I was weight lifting, but that's about the only criticism. On the other hand the focus was very noisy at 100 MPH whereas the Astra was smooth.

As for other criticisms raised, like the rear bench is not supportive; what utter rubbish! The rear bench is extremely supportive! As for the centre control; I did not find it at all difficult to use despite the many buttons.

The rear is very spacious and the front seats were well ahead of my knees. Also it would take a stack of books before my head touched the ceiling.

I didn't bother driving the Golf as I've driven both the petrol and diesel and I am not at all impressed. With the Astra I got so carried away at the bends that I almost threw up!

Clearly people who prefer the Golf to the Astra are either poeple who don't know much about cars or people who are biased and somewhat arrogant.

Therefore a big round of applauds for Vauxhall for creating such a British car for such British people.

By Abdurrahman1 on 30 November, 2009, 12:54am

Autoexpress=VWbild in english...not news actually. Still the 1.4T won the vs golf 1.4 TSI in autobildwagen in germany.

Ford quality issues? There are there, but so are astra's and golf's. All in all as cheaply made as their price commands cars. Car makers like nissan and mazda may not let you "squezze" their dashboards but usually end up higher in reliabilty, so there are money hidden there. VW wants you to see it in the showroom while others on the road.

The focus MKI did end up way higher than the golf in TUV ratings for reliabilty even in germany!!!

Too much trouble debating about wether these tests are "right".

Of course they aren't!!! And eveyrbody buyes what he/she likes anyway...

The octavia is a sedan which happens to open up the rear windshield. I mean, try and load a small rifriggirator or anything with height. It won't fit as a sedan. In the 3 or even the leon, it will (if it passes through) as it is a true hatchback/liftback...

By giorikas81 on 9 December, 2009, 9:24am

British car for british people?

Screw that!!!

Come drive in Greece, and then start whining about road conditions. Any english broken b-road is childs play and not interesting compared to the best (due to the difficulty and...lack of quality)!!!

By giorikas81 on 9 December, 2009, 9:41am

Astra a British car??? :)))))

Abdurrahman1 said:
"Therefore a big round of applauds for Vauxhall for creating such a British car for such British people. "

Don't be pathetic, please!!! :))))
Astra is designed and engineered in Germany. Vauxhall is just German Opel with griffin badge!
Nissan Quashqai is much, much, much more british than all Vauxhalls.

By miki123 on 13 December, 2009, 12:11pm

Which would I pick?

None, i'd have a SEAT Leon.

Why?
I've had one for the last three years and love it it's been brilliant in every respect and better value than any competitor, shame it wasn't included in the test.

On the other had I have had lots of FORDS over the years and they have all been brilliant too but are now far to expensive even if they do have a 'slight' advantage in the driving dynamics department.

If I had to pick one from the test it would be the SKODA.

Why? Because it is an amazing car, spacious, good value, drives respectably, good quality, good spec. Simple there is no other sensible choice.

The CIVIC is cheap and nasty looking and doesn't even included a rear wiper but you do get a spoiler thing to restrict the rear view even further. What on earth were they thinking?????? This car hasn't aged well at all....

The Golf is just plain boring i'm afraid and when you spec them up far too expensive.

The Focus I think still looks great but again far too expensive.

The Astra looks great but again is far too expensive.

The Mazda 3 is just as hideous as the first version.

By PaulVFR800 on 13 December, 2009, 11:01pm