Best of British

turned in a tight circle and the handbrake securely held on our test slope.

The secondary controls are all convenient to use on stalks or console switches for the most part with large, clear and quite well marked instruments, all offset by a good sized central info-tainment screen in the middle of the fascia.

I liked the simple heating and ventilation controls and there is good oddment space as well as a big boot with a high sill over which to lift items.

Visibility to front and sides is good, more restricted to the rear – and you really need sensors for reassurance.

Access into the front is very good, the seats are nicely shaped and supporting and in the back the occupants have flatter cushion and squab but still fairly good leg and headroom.

Ride quality is generally good, sometimes the worst bumps are heard but rarely felt, and it does not roll or wallow much under hard use.

Handling could be a bit sharper but in truth it’s a big improvement over before.

Personal taste meant I would appreciate a softer feel to the interior panels, notably the fascia and door cappings, but it’s a fairly light interior nevertheless.

You can comfortably expect fuel economy running into the 50s unless you’re really hard on the throttle and brake.

The Vauxhall Astra Elite felt robust without being heavy, had a good turn of speed, yet was capable of returning sensible fuel economy.

It’s a good advertisement for Vauxhall and a strong selling point for Britain.