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Reviews archive
02/04/08
The Astra's model line-up is huge, spoiling you for choice. They're tough cars that are also cheap to ownThere’s little wrong, and plenty right, with the Astra. But while the Golf rules as the classiest small hatchback and the Focus is the champ to drive, this Vauxhall hasn’t a chance of moving beyond third-best.
That said, the Astra is a sensible choice for value-driven buyers, because it’s tough and offers and a huge range of engines and trim levels.
This Astra is more stylish than what went before and looks good in Sportback three-door guise. The interior is well finished and Vauxhall packs in above-average amounts of kit for the money. Rear seat passengers enjoy class competitive amounts of room. The hatchback has a decently proportioned boot.
On the road the Astra is a competent all-rounder. It ds without the independent rear suspension offered by rivals like the Ford Focus and VW Golf - although you’d be hard pressed to feel the loss from the driver’s seat. Cornering grip levels are impressively high on all versions - although the steering feels slightly inert compared to the Ford Focus’s. Ride comfort is good and refinement at motorway speeds is excellent.
A comprehensive range of engines runs from 90bhp to 240bhp. The entry-level 1.4-litre petrol motor and the 1.3 diesel feel slow, but the "heartland" 1.6- and 1.8-litre petrol engines have plenty of urge and rev easily. Three turbocharged petrol 2.0-litre engines are available - in 170bhp, 197bhp and 237bhp states of tune - and all give excellent performance. Diesel buyers have four choices, with the mid-ranking 120bhp 1.9 CDTi the pick of the range for its combination of performance and refinement.
The range-topping VXR is a serious hot hatch giving massive performance and exemplary dynamics - although firm suspension and a tendency to wiggle its steering under hard acceleration will limit its appeal to those seeking a hardcore driving experience.
To read the motors.co.uk review of the latest Vauxhall Astra, click here
Motors.co.uk value verdict:
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