Alternative review of Vauxhall Astra

Golf, Focus, Astra: these are three of the car names that UK motorists know best, primarily because they are attached to three of the cars that UK motorists buy most. They're family hatchbacks and along with the likes of SEAT's Leon, Peugeot's 308, Renault's Megane, Toyota's Auris and quite a few others, they fight it out for sales in one of the most competitive car market sectors there is. The problem for us car buyers is which one to choose and Vauxhall is confident it has the answer in the shape of its latest Astra. I've got to admit that the Astra has sometimes left me cold over the years. Yes it was always good value but sometimes you want more. In its recent incarnations, that's what Vauxhall's star performer has started to deliver. It's upped its game dramatically in terms of the quality feel and engaging looks that set pulses racing in showrooms. The current sixth generation car that we look at here takes this new heights. It's the biggest Astra yet and one of the largest cars in its class but it manages to look compact and sporty on the road while also translating that size into a really roomy cabin. A wide range of engines and trim levels will also make sure that its appeal is as wide as possible.

The Astra is bigger than its predecessor but that's no great surprise, most hatchbacks have been expanding with each new generation for some time now. 71mm of that extra length has gone into the wheelbase in a bid to improve rear passenger accommodation and the results are good with plenty of space for a couple of six-footers in the back so long as the front seats aren't right back on their runners. There's even an abundance of headroom back there, despite the car's plunging roofline. In the boot, a 370-litre capacity reveals itself which isn't enormous for the class but higher spec models get a neat FlexFloor underfloor compartment that improves matters. Vauxhall wanted the Astra to feel special from the driver's seat and by family hatchback standards, it does. Switchgear lifted from the larger Insignia is very much in evidence from the steering column to the over-buttoned main console. The cluster of controls here can look daunting at first but they're clearly market and a little familiarisation pays dividends. There are numerous storage options around the cabin and large vents built into the A-pillars that do a great job of demisting the side windows. The control interface is greatly improved over the last Astra and those awful one-touch indicators are gone. Hooray.

Vauxhall is putting its faith in a bit of engineering ingenuity to gain an advantage on the road. In the past, the Astra has used a basic but space-efficient torsen beam rear suspension while family hatch rivals have used a smarter multi-link system and walked off with the ride and handling gongs. With this Astra, Vauxhall has developed the patented Compound-Crank rear axle with a Watt's linkage that, it claims, can match the dynamic attributes of multi-link while retaining the compactness of the crude torsen beam. Does it work? Put the Astra through its paces on the road and it's hard not to come away impressed. The ride and body control are assured and tight respectively as the car flows over the surface feeling well planted through bends. The steering is something of a let down by comparison and could be more precise but a slick gearshift and well-judged pedal weights go in the plus column. Generally, the Astra is a highly polished drive.

If you were slightly put off the Vauxhall Astra by the dull but worth versions of a few years back, it's definitely time to reacquaint yourself with this famous family hatch. The fifth generation Astra impressed and the current sixth generation car is a big stride forwards again. It's large for the family hatch class but it's also good-looking and manages to make good use of those generous dimensions inside. The driving experience is the best yet on an Astra and for comfort and refinement, it's just about at the head of this highly competitive class.

TOP 5 ASTRA DEALS

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Vauxhall Astra 2.0 CDTi 16V Elite 5dr Diesel Hatchback
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