Overview
The Vauxhall Astra is a staple on British roads – it may have dramatically changed its shape and style over the years, but it remains a reliable and desirable choice in Vauxhall’s line-up. The older models of the Astra are still going strong, making it the perfect car if you’re looking for something that’s cheap but efficient.
What you need to know about the Vauxhall Astra
It’s the quality and reliability of the Vauxhall Astra that has kept it popular throughout the years. Now, it’s evolved into a sleek and stylish hatchback, with a massive range of engines available. It’s worth mentioning the newest 1.6 Whisper Diesel, which achieves fuel consumption of up to 74.3mpg.
The range of options doesn’t stop with engine sizes. The Astra estate and saloon – both reliable and powerful – are equally popular. For an Astra that’s on the sportier side, opt for the SRi VX-Line model, complete with 18” five twin-spoke alloy wheels, sports-style seating and a sport mode for that added oomph.
The best part? No Astra is bank-busting, meaning that you’ll find an incredible vehicle complete with a wealth of technology and power at an affordable price.
What you need to watch out for
Our review praised the 1.4i, 150ps petrol version of the sports estate car for its efficiency, handling and liveliness. But with competition like the Volkswagen Golf and the Ford Focus, the Astra has a lot to prove. Throughout the years, it has remained a sensible and reliable family car with a perfect balance of space, sensibility and performance.
It lets itself down in the way of agility and weightiness of its handling compared to its rivals, though. You’d have to opt for the bigger engine sizes to get more bang for your buck.
Other options
- Volkswagen Golf
- Ford Focus
- Mazda 3
- SEAT Leon