- For: Efficient engines, well equipped, ride quality
- Against: Evolutionary styling, poor image
- Verdict: Far better than people give it credit for
Following a mid-life refresh in 2019, the Vauxhall Astra is better than ever.
It looks largely the same as before, but don’t let the ho-hum styling update fool you: there’s been much work beneath the surface.
All engines are now three-cylinder turbos – 1.2- and 1.4-litre petrol, plus a 1.5 diesel – and all emit less than 100g/km CO2.
The Astra cruises quietly, isolating the driver from wind and road noise to deliver an ambience that makes it feel like a car from the class above.
Thanks to suspension tweaks, it rides bumps smoothly, but handles positively.
Trim lines are simpler: SE and Business Nav are designed for fleets, while the three variants of SRi cater for private buyers. Elite Nav and Ultimate complete the range.
All versions are well equipped, but the clincher is the range of RDE-2 compliant engines, which is a real boon for company car drivers.
KEY INFO
- Launched: 2015
- Facelifted: 2019
- Due for replacement: TBC