Future’s familiar
Matt Allan finds out what a mid-life refresh brings to Vauxhall’s venerable family hatchback
MATT ALLAN finds out what a mid-life refresh brings to Vauxhall’s venerable family hatchback.
This year marks 40 years of the British-built Vauxhall Astra.
We’re now on the seventh generation and while an allnew Astra using a platform from new owners PSA is coming, for the moment the GMbasedmodelhasbeenupdated.
Whilethisisn’taground-up new car it does bring some significant updates.
Not that you’d guess that by looking at it. Vauxhall say the old Astra’s looks were so popular they didn’t see the need to do much beyond a new fascia, grille and headlights. Even under scrutiny it looks near-identicaltotheoldcarandcompared to its key rivals it’s pretty bland.
There have been some other modifications to add active aero shutters and remodel the underfloor in order to make the Astra the most aerodynamic model in its class.
That’simportanttoVauxhall as the main focus of this revised model is to make it cleaner and more economical than before.
To that end, the Astra’s powertrains are completely new - smaller, lighter and more efficientthanthosewhichcamebefore.Forthefirsttime,theAstra is offered only with three-cylinder engines. Petrol buyers get a choice of a turbocharged 1.2-litre with 108, 129 or 143bhp or a 143bhp 1.4 turbo, which comes exclusivelywithaCVTautomatic transmission.
Asingle1.5-litredieselcomes with either 104 or 120bhp and a choice of a six-speed manual or smooth but sluggish new ninespeed automatic.
Across the range, economy has improved by an average of 12 per cent, with the manual 143bhp 1.2 a massive 21 per cent more fuel efficient than the old 148bhp 1.4. That drivetrain, expected to be the biggest seller, offers economy of between 51 and 54mpg and CO2 emissions of just 99g/km.
In fact, all manual transmission versions of the hatchback bothpetrolanddiesel-fallunder the 100g/km threshold.
Onpaperthetop-powered1.2 sounds reasonably lively, with a 0-62mphtimeof8.8seconds,but ontheroaditneedstobeworked really hard to get moderate performance.
In fact, the 120bhp diesel feels far more muscular, thanks in part to its 221lb/ft torque (210 in the auto), which gives the car more impetus at low revs.
Although their frugality is an improvement on the old car neither engine offers substantially bettereconomythanrivals.However,thankstothelowCO2emissions and being the only engines in class that meet RDE2 standards they do offer business buyers significant savings.
The Astra’s driving experience has been improved by suspension and steering improvementsbutitdoesn’tengage in the way a Focus does, majoring on secure and controlled rather than lively. Inside, there are some new materials, new instruments with optional digital displays and minor layout changes. As before it all feels well built and has a level of quality that old Astras could only dream of. Higher grade models also now get fantastically comfortable“AGR”ergonomicseats and a good-loonking, slickly functioning mutlimedia setup on an eight-inch screen.
Pricing starts at £18,885. Alloys are standard, as is cruise control, air conditioning and a seven-inch touchscreen. SRi models and upwards get the excellent seats, LED headlights, and an improved front camera with traffic sign recognition.
Top-of-the-range Ultimate Nav - starting at £26,755 - gets everythingfromaheatedsteeringwheelandfrontwindscreen to a Bose sound system Intellilux matrix LED lighting.
The Astra’s refresh is hardly groundbreaking but where it has changed, it’s for the better.
The new engines are an improvement and offer business buyers some real savings over rivals. For private customers, though, their fuel economy is nothing special and they lack the responsiveness of many rivals.
If you’re looking for a straightforward, competent family hatch, the Astra is worthyofconsiderationbut,then,so are several other models.