Unless you've been living under a rock recently, you probably won't need us to remind you quite how good the latest Vauxhall Astra is. It has changed the perception of the model from a car you were given if you'd repeatedly parked in your fleet manager's reserved spot to something you could conceivably buy if you were putting your hand in your own pocket. Of all the models available, the diesel versions probably represent the most attractive choices.

Four diesel engines are available, there are 1.3-litre 90 and 1.7-litre 100bhp options as well as a beefy 1.9-litre powerplant (offered in 120 and 150bhp guises) that has been developed by Fiat. As would be expected, all meet the Euro IV emissions regulations. Prices start at a very reasonable £14,500 for the 90bhp Life edition, with the 100bhp models starting at £15,350. Add around £1,000 and you can land yourself an estate. Three-door Sport Hatch models come with 100, 120 or 150bhp diesels and cost from £16,700.

On the road, the 100bhp unit feels willing enough, accelerating to 60mph in 11.3 seconds on the way to a top speed of 115mph. A combined fuel economy figure of 56.5mpg won't give too much cause for complaint given the performance on offer, nor will the emissions figure of 135g/km. The 1.7-litre diesels aren't the most refined oil burners you can buy but they both pull strongly from low revs and make some very respectable figures.

Should you choose to place an order for the potent 1.9-litre unit, you should find it worth the wait. Despite the engine being turbocharged, there's not the elastic power delivery of the old Volkswagen 1.9-litre TDI engine and acceleration feels more measured and not a frantic struggle to hook up the next gear. Performance is excellent, the 150bhp 1.9-litre engine hauling the Astra to 60mph in 8.4 seconds with a combined fuel economy figure - given a more measured application of right clog - of 50.4mpg. Emitting just 151g/km of carbon dioxide per kilometre, this car will doubtless fulfil Vauxhall's brief for the Astra, namely that it will be just as desirable for private and company users alike.

"The tale of the tape shows the Astra is one of the biggest cars in its class"

Vauxhall has tweaked the Astra's cosmetics a little, with sharper-looking front and rear lights, a revised front bumper, more chrome splashed about the grille and the choice of piano black or matt chrome interior finishing. Sport Hatch models also get a honeycomb front grille.

One thing that Vauxhall trust will be immediately apparent is the Astra's ride quality, courtesy of an advanced suspension system. It's the first car in its class to feature Continuous Damping Control (CDC), electronically controlled shock absorbers that continuously adapt to the road surface and the driver's style. It's all part of what Vauxhall dub the Astra's 'Interactive Driving System' (IDS) that can integrate all of the electronic functions in a way that's a good deal cleverer that you might think. For example, the ESP stability control system now beefs up the damper forces first before applying the brakes to the front wheels during extreme cornering manoeuvres, making for a more sensitive and less intrusive intervention.

Upspec models will also feature a 'Sport' button so that the suspension settings, accelerator and steering response can easily be adapted to the mood of a driver. It's something we've become used to on premium sports cars but not on a family hatchback. Despite all of these high tech touches, the Astra still uses a relatively simple beam axle at the back instead of the sophisticated multi-link layouts used by Volkswagen and Ford. Whilst GM executives contend that this system provides good handling while transmitting less noise into the cabin, the more powerful Astra variants will doubtless show up any flaws in this logic.

Clever packaging and a long wheelbase have helped to maximise the Astra's interior space, helped in no small part by the fact that the exterior tale of the tape shows the Astra is one of the biggest cars in it's class. That sloping roofline looks as if it'll pinch rear headroom but look a little closer and you'll notice the sloping line that catches the eye is but a chamfer and the actual roofline arcs higher. Rear headroom is in fact better than the outgoing car and legroom and shoulder room is in another league. A Vauxhall spokesman claimed that the interior of the new Astra fitted like a glove, but as few people we know are shaped like hands, this would seem to present certain problems. Not so. Big doors and surprisingly upright side windows give an airy feel to the interior, although anybody familiar with the look and feel of the latest Vectra's cabin won't find much to excite them with the Astra's fascia.

You'll need to sit down and carefully consider which Astra model best suits your budget. Don't believe the party line that diesel models are cheap to run as the initial upfront costs will offset any benefits in fuel consumption if you're a medium to low mileage private buyer. What can't be argued against is the sheer driveability of the Astra diesel models. If you appreciate instant overtaking ability and have an aversion to Tiger Tokens, you know what to do.

TOP 5 ASTRA DEALS

The results below show the top ASTRA deals on buyacar

	Vauxhall Astra 1.9 CDTi 16V SRi [150] 3dr [Exterior Pack] Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly	Saving £5,092	Price £14,183
	Vauxhall Astra 1.9 CDTi 16V SRi [150] 5dr [Exterior Pack] Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly	Saving £5,092	Price £14,183
	Vauxhall Astra 1.9 CDTi 16V SRi [150] 3dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £241	Saving £4,858	Price £13,617
	Vauxhall Astra 1.7 CDTi 16V SRi [100] 3dr [Exterior Pack] Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly	Saving £4,783	Price £13,437
	Vauxhall Astra 1.7 CDTi 16V SXi [100] 3dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £222	Saving £4,344	Price £12,376

typical 12.28% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000