Vauxhall Astra

Our verdict

The Vauxhall Astra is a good compact hatch with all the basics covered.

Comfort

 The seats are excellent, and the space is OK, if not quite as OK as a Focus. Engines are sweet and refined too, so your ears don't get a bashing. The only issue is ride comfort, which is too harsh and wooden.

Performance

 Vauxhall has started a programme of downsizing the petrol engines, replacing the 2.0 and 2.2 units with a 1.6 turbo. It works, because it's quiet, torquey and happy to rev as well. Below that, the 1.6i and 1.8i are fine but need revving. The diesels come in 1.7 and two tunes of 1.9. Go for a 1.9.

Cool

They're everywhere, so hardly cool. But if forced, we will admit to a sneaky liking of the styling of the three-door.

Quality

The general feeling of well-being as you settle into an Astra cabin is about class standard, but the basic structure of the car feels solid and Germanic.

Handling

Sharp-steering and quick to react, the Astra is fun to drive. And that applies even to the base versions, which don't have the electronic damping. There's enough grip and the sense you can balance it on the throttle without getting into trouble.

Practicality

There isn't much wrong with the five-door, but remember the three-door is shaped for looks, so boot access is more restricted, and the rear feels confined because of the small windows.

Running costs

Everything is obsessively worked out by Vauxhall with the fleet market in mind, so fuel and insurance and maintenance costs are pared to the bone. Private buyers can get lower depreciation in a Golf or Japanese rival.