The Vauxhall Astra is a small family car that has been built by Vauxhall since 1979. The Vauxhall Astra came up in seven generations including First generation (1979-1984), Second generation (1984–1991), Third generation (1991–1998), Fourth generation (February 1998–March 2004), Fifth generation (2004–2010), Sixth generation (2009–2015) and Seventh generation (2015–present).
The grand Vauxhall Astra is at the front of the pack along with the very best in the small family hatchback category, competing stoutly against the VW Golf and SEAT Leon, and being a much superior bet than the Ford Focus. It was urbanized in the UK and it demonstrates – it drives really adequately on our roads. It also appears great, inside and out, as there’s more space inside than in the previous car, even though the latest model is smaller on the outside.
Proficient engines, the very newest technology and prices lower than its precursor all add to the new Astra’s demand. The strong 1.0-Litre SRi model is debatably the pick of the line-up, all thanks to its blend of courageous performance, lively handling, sharp looks and a munificent amount of standard equipment. As a reasonable and fun family hatchback the Astra truly makes a fine choice. If that wasn’t enough, it was also named 2016 Compact Family Car of the Year at our annual New Car Awards.
The Astra comes along with a broad range of engines: powerful five petrol engines and three diesels. We’d guess the diesels to be the most accepted and all come mainly from the Whisper Diesel family. Though not precisely whisper quiet, they are more advanced (and more powerful) than competitors – the 109bhp engine proposes the best mpg and lowest emissions, while the 134bhp version is possibly to be the best seller.
The real star of the petrol range is the 1.0-Litre three-cylinder turbo, although it’s probable to be the 1.4-Litre turbo petrol engine124bhp that’s the major selling petrol model – this engine amazes with its smoothness and performance. The 1.6 turbo model is a muscular performer, and could attract to those after a quick car even without the pumped-up looks and expense of a hot hatch.
Vauxhall’s turbocharged 1.0-Liter is one of the top downsized units in the business. Its smart balancer shaft technology keeps it really smoother than a three-cylinder unit is projected to be, yet when it’s extended; it supplies an amazing snarl that’s well-matched to the SRi model’s sporty image.
And you shouldn’t be put off by the engine’s unpretentious power and torque figures, as in the real world, it punches actually well above its weight. In spite the engine electronics limiting revs off the line, test takers handled a 0-62mph time of 10.5 seconds in a 1.0-Litre turbo-powered Astra SRi. Nevertheless, it doesn’t feel sluggish. There’s 170Nm of torque reachable from 1,800rpm, so the Astra provides plenty of mid-range power. This influence makes up for the fact that you only obtain a five-speed gearbox. Better still, the shift is quite positive, and while the large gearlever feels a little bit chunky to hold, the engine’s power delivery means it doesn’t feel essential to work it mainly hard.
Along with many Astras still selling to fleets, having a sub-100g/km CO2 emissions figure is fundamental. The Astra 1.6 CDTi 109bhp model shatters that with an asserted emissions figure of 82g/km – which equates to a claimed mpg average of a surprising 91.2mpg. Of course, real-world figures are likably to be very different, but unless and until you go for a Toyota Auris Hybrid along with its 79g/km figure, only a Peugeot 308 handles to match the Astra’s figures.
The more authoritative 134bhp 1.6 CDTi diesel will also dip under the thrilling 100g/km figure for free road tax and lower company car tax figures when it’s on somehow smaller 16-inch wheels, but the 1.0-Litre three-cylinder petrol turbo model will also plunge under that figure in certain specs and will surely save you 3% on your company car tax benefit-in-kind. As with most of the rivals, it’s expected that Vauxhall will present service packs on the new Astra to retail customers, which will restrict service costs for a period of time.
Compared with some of its conservatively styled rivals, the latest Astra looks sharp. From the neatly sculpted front bumper and grille to the swept-back headlamps and sharp creases running down the sides, it packs plenty of visual punch. In SRi guise, the Vauxhall looks surprisingly sporty, and this is enhanced by standard-fit 17-inch alloy wheels. A rising window line follows the ridge running through the door handles, culminating in a flick that almost meets the roof at the top of the boot lid. This design flourish does reduce rear visibility, but the upshot is that it gives the Astra an athletic stance in profile. Narrow tail-lights mounted high up continue the sporty theme, while a boot spoiler and narrow rear window make the car look more compact.
The previous-generation Astra felt well built, but this car is another step upmarket. Mount up the seats and you’ll find soft-touch plastic on the dash, superior quality leather for the steering wheel, plus lots of piano-black plastic to give the car a premium feel. It’s also very solidly screwed together, and it feels well up to the demands of family life. Vauxhall interior design has been impressive of late, with a stylish, easy to use dash and good quality materials used, too. The Astra takes that a step further with strong tech on board – all operated through an intuitive seven- or eight-inch touchscreen.
At 4,370mm long, the new Astra is only 10mm longer than a Ford Focus, but it is closer to 100mm longer than a Golf. It’s the same story when you compare width of Astra and Golf, although the Focus is marginally wider than both – but there’s only millimeters in it.
Thanks to its simplified rear suspension layout, the Astra offers a bigger boot than its predecessor, with a 370-Litre capacity. However, it still trails the most spacious hatchbacks, such as the Honda Civic and Peugeot 308, for luggage space. Open the Astra’s boot and you’re presented with a nice square shape and a ribbed floor – very handy to stop items rolling around. There’s a bit of a lip to heave things over, but it’s no worse than in most hatchback rivals. Thanks to its simplified rear suspension layout, the Astra offers a bigger boot than its predecessor, with a 370-Litre capacity. However, it still trails the most spacious hatchbacks, such as the Honda Civic and Peugeot 308, for luggage space.
Although the Astra is smaller than the outgoing car, it offers more space for passengers and an identical-sized boot. Set the driver’s seat for a six foot tall driver and a six foot passenger will be able to get into the back easily (the doors open nice and wide in the back – handy for fitting child seats and children), while knee and headroom are both impressive – certainly more so than in a Focus.
There’s plenty of adjustment for the driver’s seat and the steering wheel, while forward visibility is good. Over the shoulder visibility is slightly compromised by the rising waistline of the car and hefty rear pillars.
The new Astra gets impressive safety kit and we’d expect reliability to be okay, although Vauxhall’s Driver Power ranking is poor. Euro NCAP awarded the Astra five stars for crash safety in 2015, and the car benefits from a full range of driver aids and equipment, including electronic stability control, six airbags and OnStar, which can assist you in the event of an emergency. Opt for the Driving Assistance Pack and you’ll get a forward-facing camera that brings with it all sorts of benefits. There’s autonomous emergency braking to help prevent you bumping into the car in front at low speeds, while the car will even tell you if you’re traveling a safe distance from the car in front.
There’s Lane Departure Warning to let you know if you’re wandering out of your lane on the motorway, while Lane Keep Assist will gently turn the steering wheel to help keep you in lane. The Astra will also read and display road sign speed limit information and warn you if there’s someone in your blind spot. And as with rivals, there are self-parking systems available, too. As far as airbags are concerned, there are front and side ‘bags for driver and passenger and full-length curtain airbags to protect all occupants. The seats will also play their part in keeping you healthy as they’re certified by the Campaign for Healthier Backs.
The new Astra is slightly smaller than the old model on the outside, but bigger on the inside with more space for a family than many rivals. Plenty of kit and efficient engines make this car a very decent option to buy.
