Skip advert
Advertisement

Astra Ecoflex

Does latest round of green tweaks breathe new life into ageing Luton hatchback?

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Avg. savings
£4,345 off RRP*
Find your Vauxhall Astra
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

At only £287 more than the standard 1.7 CDTI Design, the ecoFLEX is a tempting choice. The economical new engine is capable of returning a huge 72mpg on the motorway, yet it has even more punch. And the unchanged driving set-up means the Astra is as sharp on the road as ever. Although the car is looking a little long in the tooth now, Vauxhall appears to have played a smart hand and breathed some life back into the range.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The greenest Vauxhall Astra yet is here! It’s called the ecoFLEX, and it couldn’t have been launched at a better time.

Rock-bottom running costs are just one of the features top brass hope will help it appeal to recession-hit motorists. Auto Express has driven the car to see if it delivers on its promise.

Despite a host of small but significant modifications, most people will struggle to tell it apart from the standard hatch.

With the exception of the ecoFLEX badges, the only clue is the revised front grille, which helps the car cut through the air more efficiently. Hit the road and it’s an impressiveperformer, even though it’s focused on fuel economy.

Once on song, the muscular 1.7-litre turbodiesel engine proves reasonably strong. In fact, the new model is only half-a-second slower than the standard car from 0-60mph, completing the benchmark sprint in 12 seconds exactly.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Astra

2021 Vauxhall

Astra

43,736 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £11,799
View Astra
Astra

2021 Vauxhall

Astra

21,807 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £12,699
View Astra
Astra

2019 Vauxhall

Astra

69,726 milesManualPetrol1.4L

Cash £7,200
View Astra
Astra

2019 Vauxhall

Astra

33,696 milesManualPetrol1.4L

Cash £10,197
View Astra

Nevertheless, combined economy is impressive, at 62.8mpg, while emissions of 119g/km place the car in the £35-a-year Band B road tax bracket. To achieve this, the newcomer features longer gearing, and it’s been made lighter. The power-steering pump is modified, too.

But the biggest difference comes under the bonnet. Longer gear ratios leave the engine turning over at lower speeds than you would usually expect, so you find yourself waiting for the turbocharger to spool up when you floor the throttle to overtake.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Keep the engine in its power band, however, and there is 260Nm of torque on tap – so accelerating up to motorway speeds is really easy. At the same time, the car doesn’t disappoint along winding roads, handling as well as the standard Astra.

Firm suspension and accurate steering give a sporty feel. Thankfully, reducing the hatchback’s weight hasn’t compromised its refinement. On the move, the cabin is well insulated from noise, and only under harsh acceleration does the engine become obtrusive.

In stripping the car down, though, equipment hasn’t been pared back. Our model featured optional parking sensors, sat-nav and electric folding mirrors.

The only real downside is that the Astra is beginning to show its age. It was launched back in 2004, and doesn’t feel as fresh as Volkswagen’s new Golf MkVI.

The best news is the small premium the technology carries – our Design costs only £287 more than the standard car, at £16,894. Customers can also specify Life or SXi trims, and three or five doors, with ecoFLEX prices from £15,994.

Rival: Focus ECOnetic
Great efficiency sets the Ford apart: it returns 65.7mpg and emits 115g/km of CO2. Prices start at £16,045 – and best of all, the regular car’s strong driver appeal is carried over.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Vauxhall Astra

Vauxhall Astra

RRP £26,090Avg. savings £4,345 off RRP*Used from £14,495
KIA Ceed

KIA Ceed

RRP £19,965Avg. savings £2,333 off RRP*Used from £8,495
Ford Focus

Ford Focus

RRP £20,955Avg. savings £2,484 off RRP*Used from £7,395
Skoda Scala

Skoda Scala

RRP £18,965Avg. savings £1,807 off RRP*Used from £8,995
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Ford Fiesta: latest details on supermini’s potential return
Ford Fiesta exclusive image

New Ford Fiesta: latest details on supermini’s potential return

The Ford Fiesta could be coming back as an electric car, and here’s everything we know so far
News
20 May 2025
Flawed hybrid car efficiency data to stifle UK EV sales and propagate pollution
Connecting charger to Hyundai Tucson PHEV

Flawed hybrid car efficiency data to stifle UK EV sales and propagate pollution

Half a million extra PHEVs could reach UK roads by 2030 in place of cleaner EVs due to changes surrounding the ZEV Mandate
News
19 May 2025
Kia is returning to its 'Keeping It Affordable' roots
Opinion - Kia

Kia is returning to its 'Keeping It Affordable' roots

Mike Rutherford thinks new cars are simply too expensive, but some manufacturers are starting to do something about it
Opinion
19 May 2025