Vauxhall flexes its muscles

The Astra is an underrated but evergreen compact family hatch, as happy taking the kids on a short break as it is cutting a path through the city. Vauxhall says one i n four Brits have owned or driven an Astra at some point – and this latest, more economical model could swell that number by even more. WHAT’S NEW? There is no radical departure for 2016, although the sharp-eyed among you will still notice a nip here and a tuck there.

There is an excellent new colour touch-screen that is standard across the range. It gives the whole product a lift and helps it make a better first impression. LOOKS AND IMAGE The Astra is a sharp-looking thing, if a bit on the conservative side.

Being built in Britain will not do its appeal this side of Dover any harm and, whichever model you choose, you end up with a pleasantly stylish and definitely inoffensive car. You will never object to having it on your drive.

It is quite sensitive to trim grades, though, so whereas the fantastic top-spec cars with all the interior trimmings l ook l i ke they have come straight from the top drawer, the fragile rubberi sed handbrake grip and cheap- looking plastics on the low-end versions leave a lot to be desired. SPACE AND PRACTICALITY The boot is more than big enough for most tasks but, if you are toting babies, you will struggle to get much more than a chunky pushchair into it without putting the conveniently split rear seats down.

Front s eaters will be happy enough, especially with the uncommonly wellshaped seat backs that give superb lumbar support.

The glove box is shed-spacious but the door pocket shapes and cupholder designs could have been better thought out. BEHIND THE WHEEL Under the bonnet is a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine.

It cannot make the Astra a rocket ship but, if you are gentle, you will see fuel economy that you would struggle to better in an eco-diesel.

I found it no problem to hover around 60mpg in relatively traffic-free driving. Alright, you do need to put some effort in, but the potential is there.

The dinky engine is perfect for chopping around urban and suburban routes. It is impressively linear once the turbo kicks in, making it smooth, forgiving and easy to get used to.

It warms up faster than a moth on a sunbed and it is perfect for no-fuss short trips.

The five-speed gearbox i s l i ght and precise, with tall gearing that partly offsets the lack of a sixth, but it is clear this version is not meant to cover serious motorway mileage.

It is a nice steer, though, responding quite keenly to tugs at the wheel and scampering along winding roads with gusto.

The brakes on this nearly-new car were very grabby, but that should hopefully settle down with mileage. VALUE FOR MONEY The Astra is a solid car. You know what you are getting and, although some of the materials on basement models are not up to scratch, at the very least, the car does a good j ob of providing straight-down-the-line mid- size transport for people who do not want to spend the extra on a slightly more spacious compact crossover or SUV.

Vauxhall dealers are usually open to a little haggling, too, so do not take the retail price as gospel.

You should pay less than f or a broadly equivalent crossover, so there is good value to be had here even if the fashion is currently for faux-4x4s. WHO WOULD BUY ONE? This is a car for ordinary people. People who want a wellrounded car to give them transport, enough space and, crucially, the ability to cope with everything from taking the in-laws to Sunday lunch to taking the kids to the seaside.

Parents will appreciate this sort of versatility, while some might prefer the lower seating position relative to SUVs for the better outward view it offers during l owspeed manoeuvres.