Vauxhall has rivals firmly in their sights

DESPITE Vauxhall’s best efforts, their Astra has rarely been the family hatchback drivers would ideally have chosen to own.

Not because it’s ever been a bad car — just never a class-leading one.

The kind of model you bought because it was good value. Or more likely, because you were given the keys by your company Fleet Manager.

This seventh-generation version was designed to do better — and the signs are that it might.

As you may expect, it’s smarterlooking but, more importantly, it’s also up to 200kgs lighter than before, so the most frugal variant can manage over 90mpg and CO2 emissions as low as 82g/km.

There’s plenty of technology, too, including 1.0-litre three-cylinder technology, the clever OnStar system — and the Intellilink infotainment packages. Best of all, perhaps, this car offers higher interior quality and claims to be sharper to drive.

That’s important. Manufacturers selling family hatchbacks of this kind are usually torn between trying to match the quality and comfort of a Volkswagen Golf or the sharp handling of a Ford Focus. Most end up with a compromise between the two that leaves these impressive class leaders untroubled.

With this car, the GM designers claim to have done better despite not featuring a multi-link rear suspension set-up which makes the Focus ride and handle so sweetly.

The decision to stick with the previous model’s simple torsion beam rear suspension system — a set-up enhanced with a “Watts linkage” feature to improve cornering stability — has kept a generous boot space.

The engine range, though, is very different. There’s still the old normally aspirated 100PS 1.4 litre petrol unit at the foot of the range but it’s the new turbocharged engines that are of most interest. The 105PS 1.0-litre three cylinder unit offers marginally more power but a whole heap more torque that’ll make for much easier progress.

Moving up the petrol range, there are 125PS and 150PS version of a direct injection 1.4 litre four cylinder turbo, plus you can ask your dealer about a 1.6-litre 200PS version of this engine, too.

Most Astra buyers though, will probably want a diesel. There’s the new quieter, torquier 1.6-litre CDTi, offered here with either 110 or 136PS in mainstream form or with as much as 160PS in BiTurbo form at the top of the range.

Prices start from £16,500 and range up to £25,000 and there’s the usual mainstream bodystyle choice of five-door hatch and estate.