Vauxhall Astra BiTurbo

The Vauxhall Astra range comprises of a five-door hatchback, a three-door GTC and Sport Tourer estate.

The Astra is an impressively refined and comfortable car on the road, managing to soak up poor road surfaces with ease and keeping noise levels low.

The lifeless steering means that while the Astra can't match the Ford Focus in the corners, it remains grippy and composed.

It still can't match the Golf, but the interior quality has vastly improved over its predecessor.

The button-heavy centre console slopes away from the driver - though it's beginning to look dated.

The Astra can fit five adults with ease, with a well shaped boot offering 351 litres of load space.

A huge range of petrol and diesel engines are available, including a 2.0 BiTurbo diesel variant combining 192bhp and 55.4mpg. Our choice is the 1.6 CDTi ecoFLEX S/S.

Only the entry level Expression models come without alloy wheels.

The Astra remains a handsome car with good proportions, despite the introduction of newer rivals from Ford and SEAT.