Used Vauxhall Astra (Mk8, 2022-date) buyer’s guide: popular hatch is more tempting than ever

Verdict

The latest Vauxhall Astra is the most accomplished yet in terms of design, safety, refinement, choice of powertrains and build quality. As a used buy it can also represent excellent value, especially if you’re buying electric, although these are likely to fall the furthest in value over the next few years as the supply of ICE models becomes restricted. We still reckon that the petrol models are the sweet spot in the range. The Astra is no class leader, but this eighth generation puts up a pretty good fight against rivals, and whether you buy a hatchback or an estate, you’re bound to enjoy driving it.

For decades, Vauxhall has represented affordable, sensible family motoring. Value has been its most desirable attribute, because the company’s designs and the dynamic abilities of its cars have generally been average at best.

But then along came PSA (later Stellantis), and Vauxhalls became much sharper. The Astra is a case in point, because the Mk8 covered here is one of the most striking cars in its segment, with one of the widest selections of powertrains. Prices have gone up, and while some editions of the Astra are too expensive when new, they can represent terrific value for money as a used buy.

History

The Vauxhall Astra Mk8 arrived on UK roads in February 2022. The range consisted of a turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engine with 109bhp or 128bhp, or a 128bhp 1.5-litre diesel. There was also a 177bhp 1.6-litre petrol plug-in hybrid introduced soon after.

Used - available now

2019 Vauxhall

Astra

60,603 milesManualPetrol1.4L

Cash £7,287

View Astra

2021 Vauxhall

Astra

11,332 milesManualDiesel1.5L

Cash £11,787

View Astra

2021 Vauxhall

Astra

29,275 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £10,800

View Astra

2023 Vauxhall

Astra

17,159 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £17,700

View Astra

At first the Astra came only in five-door hatchback form, but by August 2022 there was also an estate, sold as the Sports Tourer. The range expanded in May 2023 with the introduction of the GSe (Grand Sport Electric) hatch and estate, powered by a 222bhp 1.6-litre plug-in hybrid powertrain. A 1.2-litre hybrid model was available from July 2023, followed a month later by the Astra Electric, which also came in Sports Tourer format from March 2024.

On the road

Forget Astras of old; this latest edition is refined and enjoyable to drive, if not quite as engaging for the driver as a Ford Focus.

The handling is rewarding and the ride quality generally good, even if it’s a bit on the firm side. We’d go for a manual gearbox over an auto, though, because the latter isn’t as slick as it should be. The Astra Electric’s 400kg penalty means it isn’t quite so adept in corners, but it’s still a pretty good steer.

Which one should I buy?

Vauxhall has been guilty of selling some of the most convoluted and confusing model ranges over the years, but it kept things simple with the Astra which came only in Design, GS and Ultimate forms.

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The Design model features LED headlights, a 10-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, climate control and 16-inch alloy wheels. The mid-range GS is the pick of the bunch and this adds adaptive cruise control, sat-nav, a 360-degree camera, dual-zone climate control, heated seats and 17-inch wheels. On top of this, the Ultimate also has blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assist, a heated windscreen and a panoramic roof, plus a head-up display.

Alternatives to the Vauxhall Astra

For more than 25 years the Ford Focus has done battle with the Astra, and it’s still as compelling as ever. Good value, fun to drive and well-equipped, the Focus is also plentiful.

The Volkswagen Golf isn’t as brilliant as it used to be because VW has tried to be too clever, but it’s still a good family car and worth a closer look. Other desirable small family hatches include the Peugeot 308, Hyundai i30, Mazda 3 and Kia Ceed, along with the Honda Civic, Skoda Scala and SEAT Leon; the more costly Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class are also worth a look.

Buying an EV? Then check out the Renault Mégane, VW ID.3 and Cupra Born, plus the Citroen e-C4, Kia Niro EV, Hyundai Kona Electric and MG4.

What to look for

Automatic choice

While the entry-level petrol engine came only with a manual gearbox, the 128bhp edition and the diesel were available in automatic form.

On the range

The Astra Electric is fitted with a 54kWh battery to give a claimed range of up to 258 miles. Expect closer to 200 miles in the real world, though.

Safe place

When Euro NCAP tested the Astra in 2022, it achieved a four-star rating, like the Peugeot 308. But the Golf, Civic, MG4 and SEAT Leon have all managed five stars.

Peace of mind

All Astras come with a three-year or 60,000-mile warranty. Vauxhall guarantees that the battery of any electric model will still hold 70 per cent of its original charge after eight years or 100,000 miles.

Interior

The Astra’s cabin feels contemporary, and is quite luxurious in high-spec models. The choice of materials is good, while the design is appealing and user-friendly. All models have a pair of 10-inch digital displays, one for the touchscreen and the other for the instrumentation. The graphics are sharp and the menus intuitive, while there’s a good balance of touchscreen and physical controls.

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The good news continues where practicality is concerned, with a reasonably roomy cabin, although a bit more rear-seat legroom wouldn’t go amiss. Boot space is excellent at 422 litres, or 1,339 litres with the seats folded down. The estate can stow up to 597 litres, expandable to 1,643 litres.

Prices

You’re spoiled for choice if you want an Astra Mk8, with hundreds of them for sale across the UK. Diesel models are very unusual and you’ll be doing well to bag one, but there’s no problem if you want a petrol car.

Check the price of a Vauxhall Astra with our free car valuation tool...

Running costs

Services alternate between minor and major. Petrol-engined Astras need to be serviced every 12 months or 12,500 miles, at £336 and £491 respectively. Diesels stretch this to every 12 months or 20,000 miles, a  minor costing £344 and major £484, while for electric and plug-in hybrids it’s every two years or 16,000 miles, at £244 and £454 for minor and major.

The petrol and diesel engines have a cambelt that has to be replaced every eight years or 120,000 miles; you’ll pay around £500 for this. Petrol models are the cheapest to insure, in groups 16-20, while diesels are in groups 20-22. Hybrids are rated at 26-28 (31 for the GSe) and electric editions are in groups 25 or 26.

Recalls

Seven recalls so far is a bit disappointing. The first came in March 2022 because the door handles might not work properly, refusing to lock. Loose bolts in the suspension led to recall two, in January 2023, while recall three was five months later because of faulty front seatbelt pretensioners.

There were two further campaigns in 2023: in October because of handbrake glitches on Electric editions, and in December because the adaptive cruise control wasn’t working. There were two more last year. The first, in March, was because faulty software led to excessive exhaust emissions, while the latest came in May since the E-Call system didn’t work.

Driver Power owner satisfaction

The Mk7 was the last Astra to appear in our new-car survey; it came an underwhelming 52nd out of 75 in 2023. In our 2024 survey its sister models, the Corsa Mk5, Grandland Mk1 and Mokka Mk2 all appeared and came 48th, 23rd and 34th, out of 50 entries.

Vauxhall finished 26th out of 32 in our 2024 Brands survey, with owners indifferent about most things, although they did like their cars’ low running costs.

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