Opel Astra Review

Composed handling; rides well; punch diesel engine; smartly presented and roomy cabin; good-size boot Relatively high starting price; vague steering; doesn't set any dynamic benchmarks; wind and tyre noise can be evident Opel Astra. The badge will be unfamiliar to most but certainly not the nameplate. early !"#$### %stras have been sold in %ustralia over the decades$ when at times it was the second-best-selling &olden after the Commodore. 't was still an (pel %stra then$ rebadged for this market$ but now the model returns as the ace up the sleeve for the %ustralian launch of )eneral *otors+ ,uropean division. %nd (pel will need to use the %stra to good effect to achieve its ambitious target of -"$### sales a year by !#-". o surprises then that there will be a wealth of choice in the range that returns the %stra name to showrooms for the first time since it was replaced by the Cruze. There+s a five-door hatchback$ a three-door hatch dubbed )TC$ and a wagon variant called .ports Tourer. 'n ,urope (pel+s financial and market struggles have seen it perform a /-turn on plans to distance itself further from sister brand Chevrolet 0 from where multiple models are now rebadged &oldens 0 and turn itself into more of a mainstream premium brand to rival the likes of 1olkswagen and 1olvo. The %stra+s pricing does start higher than most of its rivals$ kicking off at 2!3$44# for a five-door hatch. The more style-focused three-door %stra )TC also carries a fashionable premium and begins at 2!5$44#. %ll %stra models are well e6uipped$ however$ and pricing becomes more keenly positioned elsewhere in the range$ though. 7e tested the diesel variant that+s competitively priced from 23-$44# 0 similarly positioned to the oil-burning versions of the *azda3$ Renault *egane and &olden Cruze$ and more affordable than the comparable 8ord 8ocus or 1olkswagen )olf. 7ith -!-k7$ the %stra is also the most powerful diesel in the mainstream small-car segment 0 if only by a single kilowatt from the diesel versions of the 8ocus$ Cruze and 9eugeot 3#5. 'ts !.#-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel doesn+t 6uite have the benchmark tor6ue figure :3;# m shared by *azda3 and Cruze diesels< but 3"# m is still more than handy. /nlike the *azda$ the %stra+s diesel can also be partnered with an optional si=-speed auto instead of the standard si=speed manual. The engine lives up to its figures by providing plenty of rolling pace$ and there+s enough tor6ue down low that the driver isn+t forced to constantly row through the gears. 't+s worth changing up well before the ambitious "###rpm redline$ though$ as the engine starts to run out of puff >ust after four-grand. 7e averaged >ust ;.3 litres of -##km in fuel use$ according to the %stra+s trip computer$ which mi=ed freeway cruising with more spirited country road driving and allowed few opportunities to use the engine stop-start system that is standard on the manual diesel %stra.

The engine is relatively 6uiet$ too$ kicking over at >ust -?"#rpm at --#km@h. 7ind noise is more of an issue at higher speeds while there+s also a prominent rumble from the -?-inch Contintental tyres of the mid-range %stra .elect we tested. That rubber provides generous grip$ however$ complementing handling that is composed if lacking the sharpness of class leaders the 8ocus and *azda3. Aynamically$ the %stra+s vague steering is its %chilles heel. There+s a fair bit of play around the straight-ahead position and the wheel needs almost constant attention with inputs from the driver to keep the car straight even on freeways. The (pel %stra is based on the same platform as the &olden Cruze that+s built in %ustralia$ and employs a similar front-struts-and-rear-torsion-beam suspension arrangement. There+s a firmish ride but the %stra is well damped and it copes well with big hits$ though first impressions suggest the (pel isn+t as compliant on typical %ustralian roads as a 17 )olf or &yundai i3#. %t BB-4mm$ the (pel %stra is one of the bigger models in the hatchback section. Thankfully it+s not wasted because there+s a deep boot :though with a temporary spare wheel< and$ whether you sit in the front or rear$ there+s ample headroom :yes$ despite that sloping rear roofline< and legroom. The rear seat :with split-folding seatbacks< seems broad enough to accommodate three adults without e=cessive shoulder-rubbing. The seatback and bench are also firm like the front seats$ but positively so. (ur %stra test car was even fitted with a driver+s seat that is certified by an independent )erman ergonomics group. 't forms part of a Ceather .ports .eat 9ack that costs 2!"## and also brings heated front seats$ front seat cushion e=tenders$ leather trim and a rear centre armrest with ski port. (ur %stra review car came with a 2B"## 9restige 9ack that includes the aforementioned Ceather .ports .eat 9ack and also adds bi-=enon headlights with adaptive forward lighting$ and C,A daytime running lights. .at-nav with a ?-inch colour display and a seven-speaker set-up can be thrown into the mi= by buying the 2-!"# avigation 9ack. ,very (pel %stra hatch comes with si= airbags$ active headrests and stability control as standard$ as well as a fivestar independent crash rating from C%9.

.tepping up to the mid-range .elect brings a -3!k7 -.;-litre turbo petrol engine into play as an alternative to the !.#litre diesel that costs 2B### more than the diesel version of the base hatch. There+s pleny of e=tra e6uipment$ though$ including bigger :-?-inch< alloy wheels$ auto on@off headlamps$ automatic wipers$ parking sensors at both ends$ foglamps$ higher-6uality seat material$ individual climate control for driver and front passenger$ electric parking brake and leather steering wheel. The (pel %stra .port$ the range-topper of the hatch line-up$ also aims to live up to its trim name by employing a lower and stiffer suspension set-up plus the option of adaptive shock absorbers for 2!###. D(ur pricing and specification guide provides more detailed information on the full (pel %stra range.E

The interior$ regardless of what options are fitted$ is a step up over %stra cabins of old. The perception of 6uality is elevated by soft plastics used for the top of the dash and door trims$ smooth te=tures used for the centre stack buttons$ and a generally classy feel and look to the %stra+s switchgear. There+s also useful storage$ a four-way-ad>ustable steering wheel includes multi function buttons$ and the trip computer offers a range of information including a digital speedo. Red ambient lighting under the gearbo= that matches the illumination of the dash controls and instrument cluster is also a smart touch. 't all adds up to a package that$ while not as sharply priced across the range as it could be and short of the )olf+s allround class$ makes the (pel %stra a worthy consideration for small-car buyers. The %stra name deserves to be back.