Vauxhall Astra
MODEL TESTED: Vauxhall Astra 1.0i SRI Nav PRICE: £19,915 ENGINE: 1.0-litre 3cyl, 104bhp
THE latest Vauxhall Astra is one of the best compact family hatchbacks money can buy, particularly in entry-level 1.0-litre petrol guise. Smooth, eager and cost-effective to run, the three-cylinder model is a real highlight, and has already tasted road test victory in flagship Elite Nav trim. Now it’s the turn of the sporty £19,915 SRI version to uphold the Astra’s honour.
Styling 4.2/5
COMPARED with 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 our test car’s racy SRI guise, the Vauxhall appears surprisingly sporty, and this is enhanced by the standard 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 bootlid. 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 new car is another step upmarket. Climb inside and you’ll find soft-touch plastic on the dash, high-grade 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 like the Mégane, it feels well up to the demands of family life.
The dashboard lacks the classy, minimalist look of the Peugeot and Renault, but it’s still a stylish effort. And while there are a fair few buttons on the dashboard, everything is logically laid out.
Dominating the dash is the eight-inch colour touchscreen, which sits at the top of the centre console. Bright, clear graphics make it easy to read, plus it responds more crisply to inputs than the slow-witted set-up in the Peugeot. Sat-nav is standard, and it includes Vauxhall’s excellent Onstar service, which puts owners in touch with a call centre for any of their driving needs, from unlocking the car to finding film times at the cinema.
In all other respects, the Astra is well equipped. Cruise and climate control are included, as are automatic lights and wipers. However, you’ll have to pay £460 extra for parking sensors.
Driving 4.3/5
THE Astra is around 200kg lighter than its predecessor, which means drivers reap the benefits when it comes to performance, ride and handling. It also ensures the car doesn’t feel underpowered, even though the 104bhp 1.0-litre turbocharged engine is the least potent here.
Despite the engine electronics limiting revs off the line, we managed 0-60mph in 10.5 seconds. However, the Astra doesn’t feel sluggish in realworld driving. There’s 170Nm of torque available from 1,800rpm, which is lower than the heavier Renault’s peak at 2,000rpm, so the Astra serves up plenty of mid-range power.
This muscle makes up for the fact that, as with the Peugeot, you only get a five-speed gearbox, while the Renault has a six-speed unit. Better still, the shift is positive, and while the large gearlever feels a bit chunky to hold, the engine’s power delivery means it doesn’t feel necessary to work it particularly hard.
Vauxhall’s three-cylinder engine is far more refined than the Peugeot’s. It features balancer shafts to reduce vibration, and remains quiet and refined even when you use the full rev range, when all you’ll hear is a muted growl.
In corners, the steering feels light and quick, and while there isn’t a lot of feedback, it allows you to make the most of the tenacious grip on offer and place the car easily through bends. It’s definitely the most appealing choice here for keen drivers.
The ride is composed and much more compliant than its predecessor’s, too, although still not quite as supple as the Renault’s. You’ll feel bumps, but the dampers take the edge off them nicely and control the body tightly so you can carry speed in total safety. This also means the Astra is a quiet and refined cruiser, and there’s little wind or road noise at motorway speeds.
Ownership 4.1/5
EURO NCAP awarded the Astra five stars for crash safety, 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. Features such as lane departure warning with lane assist, traffic sign recognition and collision alert with autonomous braking come as part of the standard-fit Driving Assistance Pack.
Compared with its rivals, the brand’s showing in our Driver Power 2016 satisfaction survey was rather poor, as it came in 25th place. Plus, its dealers were ranked lower than Peugeot’s and Renault’s for service, with a disappointing finish of 22nd.
Running costs 4.1/5
NOT only is the Astra well priced and generously equipped, it’s also attractive when it comes to running costs. The car recorded 42.1mpg on test, while its emissions of 102g/km mean it’s the most cost-effective choice for business users. A lower-rate earner will face an annual Benefit-in-kind bill of £675 – a saving of more than £150 over the Mégane.
A residual value of 40.5 per cent isn’t much to write home about, but it’s the strongest figure on test, and means the Vauxhall will lose over £2,000 less than the 308 over three years. It’s not all good news, though; the Vauxhall’s pre-paid servicing pack will set you back £569, which is £270 more than the Renault’s scheme.
Practicality 4.2/5
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 its roomy French rivals for luggage space.
Otherwise, the Vauxhall is a roomy family car. Occupants in the back sit high with a good view out, yet there’s still plenty of headroom. It’s a similar story up front, where the driver gets a wide array of adjustment from the supportive sports seats.
Storage is good, with an armrest covering a big bin between the front seats, two cup-holders, reasonably sized door bins and a decent glovebox. There are other handy touches, too, such as a ribbed boot floor to stop items sliding around.