Introduction

The Vauxhall Astra is a familiar family five-door that often seems to fly under the radar by virtue of its rather ordinary size, purpose, price and positioning in the market. It is a traditional compact hatchback with space for five, that sits between the Corsa and the Insignia in Vauxhall’s range. With this version, Vauxhall has introduced a new spectrum of advanced technologies to raise the Astra’s appeal in a tough period for ordinary hatchbacks threatened by the rise of the crossover SUV.

Did you know? The first two Astra generations were simply rebadged versions of the Opel Kadett, while in the 2000s there was a Belgian-built Astra for the US

Verdict | Design | Interior | Technology | Performance | Safety | Specs | Running Costs | Pricing

Verdict: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7.5/10)

Hatchbacks the size and shape of the Astra were at one time, even in recent memory, a central pillar of the car market. It’s easy to see why, thanks to this car’s balance of space, dimensions and driver-friendliness. Many people have jumped ship to compact SUVs and crossovers, though, which offer a higher driving position and aren’t necessarily all that much more expensive. The Astra is a good everyday car and has no major flaws, but it does lack desirability in this new age.