Vauxhall Astra

With its upmarket cabin and sleek design, the latest Vauxhall Astra is a refined family hatchback

Auto Express Car Reviews

Rating:
Latest deal price: from £12,453 to £16,841
For : Attractive styling, classy cabin, refinement
Against : Lifeless steering, high prices, lacklustre engines

When the latest-generation Vauxhall Astra made its debut in 2009, its mix of sleek design and upmarket cabin pitched it head-to-head with the VW Golf. And while the Vauxhall can’t match the all-round appeal of its arch rival, it still makes a comfortable and capable family hatchback choice. A wide-range of trim levels and engines means there’s a model for every taste and budget, while the recent arrival of the practical Sport Tourer estate and rakish GTC coupe have further broadened the appeal of the Astra. Only the lack of any real driver involvement and the pricey range-topping versions take the sheen off the Vauxhall’s showroom appeal.

Our pick: Vauxhall Astra SE 1.7 CDTi 16v 110PS ecoFLEX S/S

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Vauxhall Astra

Styling

While the Vauxhall Astra isn’t as eye-catching as a SEAT Leon or Ford Focus, it’s still a handsome and well-proportioned machine. Taking its cues from the larger Vauxhall Insignia, the Astra has a classy look that packs decent company car park kudos. There’s plenty of showroom choice, with Expression, ES, ES Tech, Exculsiv, Excite, SRi, SE and Elite trim levels available. Entry-level versions get plain plastic wheel trims, while ES Tech and above feature alloy rims and extra chrome embellishment. Vauxhall has given the cabin an upmarket feel, although it can’t match the VW Golf for quality. Air-con, electric windows and an aux-in socket are standard across the range, while Elite models add leather trim and climate control.

Driving and Performance

Refinement and comfort impress with the Astra. Noise levels are low and the ride soaks up the worst bumps and potholes, while comfy seats and great driving position makes long journeys effortless. The entry-level 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrols are thrashy and gutless, but the turbocharged 138bhp 1.4-litre and 178bhp 1.6-litre are stronger. Diesel fans can pick from 1.3-litre, 1.7-litre and 2.0-litre units – all deliver decent mid-range urge, but are noisy when worked hard. All models get a long throw five or six-speed manual gearbox as standard, while a six-ratio auto is an option. On twisty roads, the Astra is grippy and composed, but lifeless steering means it can’t match a Ford Focus for fun. The optional Flexride system tweaks the dampers, steering and throttle for sportier responses but is expensive.

MPG and running costs

If you’re looking to keep running costs to a minimum, then the ECOflex models make a compelling choice. Best of the bunch is the 1.7-litre, which uses stop-start technology to keep CO2 emissions down to just 99g/km. What’s more, it promises to return a fuel sipping 76.3mpg at the pumps – that’s nearly 4mpg better than the 1.3-litre. Sadly, the petrol models are off the pace, particularly the turbocharged 1.6-litre turbo. With CO2 emissions of 160g/km it will cost you much more to tax than a 1.6-litre EcoBoost equipped Ford Focus. The Astra also suffers from high prices. Look past the bargain basement Expression model, and the Vauxhall is one of the priciest family hatchback contenders. Still, at least range-topping versions provide plenty of kit in return for your cash.

Practicality

As you’d expect, the Astra is on a par with the VW Golf when it comes to practicality. The spacious cabin will accommodate five adults, with those in the back benefiting from decent head and legroom. Further marks are awarded for the thoughtful layout of the cabin, which includes plenty of neat cubby holes and storage boxes for all the family's odds and ends – although the door bins could be bigger. Opening the tailgate reveals a well-shaped 351-litre load bay, while folding the split-fold rear bench flat results in 1,216-litres of space. An optional Flex Floor system allows you to create a completely flat load area with a hidden compartment below it for valuables.

Safety and reliability

A five-star Euro NCAP rating means the Astra is a strong and sturdy family choice. All versions get six airbags and electronic stability control, while active head restraints are standard on SRi models and above. You can also pay extra for adaptive Xenon headlamps that respond to steering inputs for better night time vision in corners. Solid build quality suggests that the Vauxhall should be a reliable choice, plus a there’s a huge network of dealers for routine maintenance. What’s more, the first owner of the car benefits from a unique warranty that lasts the lifetime of the car or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

For an alternative review of the latest Vauxhall Astra visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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1 Comment

classic review

Classic Auto Express review of a car you don't favour. Styling gets a 4? The aging Focus is better looking? Practicality gets a 3.5? Compared to what does it miss out? a mid class station wagon? Safety is 3.5 with no stated reason. I drive various company cars and my favourite is the Astra. I would give it 4.5 stars missing only on the somewhat lifeless steering. That's how you would rate it if it was a BMW or an Audi.

By PAAdam on 1 November, 2011, 7:37am

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