NEW Vauxhall Astra GSe Review: The Astra Takes On The Golf R? | 4K

[@hoggypotter1]

The world has gone mad. £40k for an Astra?......They are having a laugh.

[@iandavies1893]

So, apart from being ugly, expensive, slow, a Vauxhall, and dull it's looks a great car😂

[@paulmatthews9366]

'Green" though init ?

[@dughuff8825]

Weirdly, it's the same drivetrain as the higher powered DS4 which is three grand less... For what's supposed to be Citroen's premium line. Stellantis aren't making any sense!

[@ibukid]

Inflation init 😂

[@nedyahyakcam]

Have you tried to buy any new "hot hatches" recently

[@hedydd2]

Those are fancy big black door handles indeed! They have styled them to look exactly like old style door mirrors.

[@steleebro]

I noticed that too, I had to rewind and play it back as I thought I was going mad hahaha

[@dgg2412]

I reckon that's the first ever mistake I've ever heard Rory say, he's normally word perfect, a brilliant reviewer IMHO

[@rotorhead5006]

Had to do a double-take! I thought Vauxhall had gone all TVR for a moment - door handles are mirrors, windscreen wipers are door handles, door handles are headlights...! 🤣

[@Pikekartel]

😂😂😂

[@da_louisl]

You shouldve compared it to the Golf GTE. The GTE costs 42k€ (Astra 45k€) and has 245PS (Astra 225PS)...how could you ever compare this one with the R? It costs 10k more and has 100PS more...plus drift mode, akrapovic exhaust etc etc??

[@s1CrisM]

"the worlds first plug-in hybrid hot hatch that i know of" confused me here since the golf gte and octavia vrs exist.

[@maxtheking9176]

jupp, the golf gte was first car that came to my mind aswell!!!

[@kieran27x]

A3 S-Line Competition too, uses the same 245PS hybrid powertrain as the Golf and is an Audi, for the same money as this Astra. 0.7s faster to 100 km/h too (6.8s for the Audi, vs 7.5 in this Astra). Vauxhall have gone mad thinking they can do this.

[@woody555kl]

Not sure the golf comes as standard with akrapovic exhaust bro but I might be wrong...

[@alexandregeracao6345]

I just find it a bit ridiculous calling it "the first plugin hybrid hot hatch", like Golf GTE, Cupra Leon Hybrid, even its own brother the 308 225 Hybrid which has the same powertrain as this looks better, has a nice interior and in my country at least its 5k cheaper than the Astra... Mad how crazy Opel/Vauxhall are by the prices they are asking for these.

[@harvardford8752]

He did say “that he knows of” in his defence 😂

[@dr-ok3sn]

0:17 VW Golf 7 GTE enters the chat also VW Golf 8 GTE and Curpa Leon e-Hybrid

[@ianmitchell9102]

GTE GSI SRI Those were the days !!! ❤

[@mikadavies660]

Genuinely impressed with Stellantis recently, all of their up and coming BEV's are tempting and in a reasonable price range. But this GS-e makes no sense and below 300bhp gives no excitement. At £40k... You would need to be on drugs to consider it. It has none of the VXR attitude. Maybe a 300bhp BEV GS-e would be interesting. But even then it would be beaten by the MG4 sport.

[@robertmandl9326]

Gotta agree with Rory here. The Astra GSe seems to be what happens when you wanna have some fun but at the same time have to go at least for some efficiency and practicality. A rather pricey combo in this case though, at least on purchase. I holding up hope for the purely electric version of this Astra. So far the most impressive of Opels E-Lineup is, to me, still the Corsa. Although I may not be fully objective on this as I drive one myself.

[@nball461]

I get the price comparison to the golf r, but surely a better comparison would have been the golf gte? In terms of actual performance and electric range?

[@tiga8032]

performance and price

[@funkyhomosapien1]

I think the comparison is this is Astra's best performance "hot hatch" currently compared to the gte etc.

[@j2dreamerforternity]

@@tiga8032 performance? Ahahahah it’s slower than a standard GTI

[@XpertOnline]

@@j2dreamerforternity of course its slower than a GTI , its heavier, its a 1.4T PHEV with the same power 245bhp which is still plenty especially for FWD, the GTE will most likely outperform a GTI in power delivery, MPG and only comes in at 2-3k extra cost and compares way better o the Astra GSe than the Golf R.

[@teabagtowers3823]

@@XpertOnline Why would I buy it then over a GTI? It's heavier doesn't handle as well and needs to be charged every day basically in order for it to get MPG bonus from being a PHEV. Oh and if you can't charge it every day then you've got a smaller weaker engine having to work far harder to carry around a battery. Oh and smaller fuel tank because the battery eats into that fuel tanks capacity. I'd rather have a GTI frankly because it's fun it's economical enough and when you get to a good road it doesn't struggle because it's not carrying around a heavy battery.

[@alancobbin]

Vauxhall what were you thinking with that power 😳for an extra £2800 I’d rather buy a Golf R and know I made the right decision.

[@Undisputed_King]

I hope it doesn't sell well. Boycott. That'll teach them a lesson.

[@claudiu7219]

Can you still buy a Golf R these days? Or is it like Civic Type-R, only available on KZbin?

[@theweeknd2725]

@@claudiu7219 haha that's another thing to consider, in the real world its harder to get a hold of one due to demand etc.

[@Quickz221]

They have literally ruined this astra only the outside exterior some of it looks okay but the inside interior is a big disappointment especially the dashboard 😫 why astra

[@memyselfandmik3]

It will be worth 20k in 3 years time. Depreciation on this car will drop like a rock.

[@strudl32456]

Don't forget when that 10k £ battery goes to sh!t in 5-6 years.

[@alistairmoulds4923]

£20,000? Wish I had your optimism.

[@jcharm8934]

Cant lie your review style is a breath of fresh air , nice and relaxed and you don’t over complicate things …. Good info good style keep it up mate !

[@j.shussain7528]

Comparing this to the Golf R is crazy. My Golf 8 GTD has 200bhp/400nm and 0-60 is 7.1 secs!

[@sillimilli3802]

How much is it?

[@malph9216]

Any vehicle with an 'e' in its model designation will have a cheaper, faster, better driving, better specced ICE rival. A Fiat 500e is £30k for goodness sake!

[@williamfence566]

01:52. "Black door handles" . Small point Rory but they are mirrors. As for the Astra at £40K!!. Not enough of a difference to support that.

[@Trappygit]

He mentions the Astra 'GTi' badge from back in the day 10 seconds later... Get him off for crying out loud 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@Kentish9494]

Lost interest at £40k

[@jamieplumtree5138]

You’d just get a 330e

[@ServusLuis]

What's with the Golf GTE?

[@shaunm9928]

Think the prices of very average EVS are beyond most working class people's budget - sticking to petrol as long as I can! Thanks for great review as always Rory.

[@pz189]

It's slower to 60 than a mid 2000s Golf GTI and costs £45k. I just don't think that there's a market for a warm eco hatch that's this expensive. The lack of focus on power in a sporty car is what killed the Honda CRZ, which at least looked really unique.

[@Bosna293]

It rivals the golf GTE and the A250e :)

[@bwmim9709]

Rather have both of those than a Vauxhall

[@janck1000]

Which are both quite a bit cheaper. I love Opels but they don't make any sense lately, especially with these ridiculous Astra prices (lower trims, as well) and dissapointing engine choices.

[@Bosna293]

@@bwmim9709 same

[@Abercon25]

I reckon the Cupra Leon 1.4 Plug In Hybrid is a better shout, is cheaper and gets to 60 quicker… if that’s what you’re after, that is.

[@Manuel-rl6um]

Much less boot space though

[@pigeonpoo1823]

The only way a 40k astra could be acceptable is if it came with a free civic type R

[@michalrajnic758]

It's certainly got the looks and potential for a proper hot hatch... shame about the performance. Would love to see a proper Opel Astra OPC

[@edmi4816]

This is a gorgeous looking and great colour combo Astra!!!

[@i.s.3458]

Lol golf R rival with 220bhp

[@jaughnekow]

It's just good looking

[@mattyjamess7818]

The 508 pse is the one to have, but a plug in hybrid in my mind is better then a full electric car best of both 👌

[@FrozenDung]

If you can have only one car yeah it's a good option to have. Although if you have a 2 car house one BEV and one ICE is good right now IMO

[@TheSpudlyMcgudly]

"..and black door handles". Gestures towards the black door mirrors before walking past the distinctively white actual door handles. Note, trying to pull the door mirrors will not gain you access to the vehicle 😉

[@marlac5500]

Can’t you just get a cupra formentor/ leon vz or a gte with the same engine that are actual hybrid hot hatches?

[@leliobasket]

And what about the cupra Leon hybrid?

[@boulboul6251]

What about the Golf GTE ???

[@TheRealAko]

I'm glad I fitted historically appropriate Koni suspension to my 1990 GTE16v, which incidentally I would take over this dullard 7 days a week.

[@pictlandpickers1171]

"Black door handles" points to wing mirrors and pans the white door handles 😂

[@TheHutchRuns]

Nice idea, nice looking car but it's no hot hatch really and bloody expensive for a Vauxhall! I had an Astra Sport in the mid-90's and that was a rocket ship, at least in a straight line! Great video as ever though Rory!

[@Kauppamopo]

Rory hasn't hear about VW Golf GTE

[@porkbanhmi]

Unless you're a diehard Astra fan, at that price point wouldn't you just go for the Golf, Audi or Mercedes?

[@AtifKHassan]

wouldn’t this more comparable to the golf gte, audi a3 e-tron, skoda octavia iv?

[@wainerollins2587]

A decent warm hatch plug-in hybrid, but shouldn't be marketed under a performance banner. I know it's probably not going to happen under Stellantis ownership, but Vauxhall needs the return of the VXR sub brand.

[@MrGMawson2438]

Afternoon mate

[@billasohyeah]

The GTE has been sold for almost ten years.

[@XenonOzHID]

Please, Oh PLEASE bring this car back to Australia!

[@fishbonestephen]

In 2014 I paid £13,500 for a brand new Opel gtc 1,4t 140hp!!!. Now you want £40,000 for a car that really isn't £26,500 better!. It's not inflation it's bonkers!!!.

[@keremefeozcoban2740]

The car is on German plates it's baged as Vauxhall but it's LHD

[@russellhorsefield9199]

Dear Rory, I am an Australian viewer, It is a pity we do not even have the Astra anymore thanks to the yanks of GM . We lost our car plants six years ago . I also understand that the car was originally design by both Vauxhall and Opel and marketed by Holden in Australia. Between 2012 and 2017 the Astra was sold by a handful of Opel dealerships in Australia but that plug was pulled by GM in 2016.Holden Commodore and Astra we're made by Opel until in 2021. It is nice for Stellantis to still hold its own with the Astra with Vauxhall and Opel pity the ZF Holden Commodore has became a flop. I still have an Astra and it is one of the best cars I ever driven as mine is 16 years old.

[@tomgibbons2475]

1:51 I like those black door handles 🤣

[@peterthomas144]

A hot hatch 0- 62 7.5 secs? Most Bev suv’s come close to or better than that as standard and at nearly half the price in the Chinese variants

[@bodrulm1]

Yeah, it's puzzling. MG4 costs £30k and does the same 0-60mph and arguably looks as good. Where's all that money going? I have a BMW iX3 SUV electric and it does 0-60 in 6.5s.

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

Nice Crombie at the end 😂 See you again soon 🔜

[@steveGee5787]

Fantastic overview of this car, but it's left me with a bit of a headache - this is a car I really want to like, this is easily the best shape of Astra since the 1984 MK2 version (my dad had one of those) and design-wise this is fantastic even down to the c-pillar slats referencing the '80s Astras. And there is nothing in the driving experience that suggests this is anything other than a decent car that has decent performance and does everything well, even more so being in a sportier trim level. But at £40k I just find it hard to justify at that price given it is very close to some very serious metal.... And yes Golf R does spring to mind. Would I have one? Yes, but not at this price level 😕 And I say that more in sadness than in anger

[@c0br1tzA]

Black door handles petting the mirrors. I laughed Otherwise thanks for another great review.

[@daviderizzi_]

Cupra Leon for the win!

[@ghost_lukh]

Have to agree with other comments - comparing it with Golf R, I just don't think Astra was aiming for that. If that's what they were thinking then they mad

[@grumpyoldgit9498]

Astra vxr gtc 280bhp available for around 8k!!! More smiles per miles by far & 32k leftover for brake pads & front tyres😊😊

[@CGCTV]

you need to drive the Tonale PHEV, would love to see your take on it!

[@FrozenDung]

Toe 💅🏻

[@alizcool1]

1:51 nice door handles

[@philipmccarthy6175]

The price of cars across the board has gone crazy of late.

[@doughy67]

Should of reinvented the Astra GTE

[@Manuel-rl6um]

Should've* reinvented

[@oliveringram3056]

I hope it doesn't have the same issues with failure that the Corsa e has. Charging issues mean that the car can just cut out whilst being driven, and after an error message appears on screen advising shut down, car will not start again. Dealerships don't appear to have a solution.

[@lehelzelenka207]

Heavier, slower and more expensive than the old model. How is this an upgrade over the older gen Astra? Looks are relative, I still think this new gen looks bad and boring and think the old gen looks better (IMO).

[@jamesharmer4253]

They do a 225 horsepower 308 phev. So apart from the fact they've badged this is a performance car it's no different to the Peugeot which is better looking externally, internally and costs the same.

[@irishirish2685]

I'm waiting for a comparison with Volzfagen. I think it will be interesting

[@damilolaakanni]

As expensive as a Golf R, but with less power and slower 0-60 times? Might as well get the Golf R...or save your money and get a MK7 or MK7.5 R instead.

[@samkong2741]

Thank you Rory for showing us why this car does not worth 40K.

[@Manuel-rl6um]

In Spain the Golf R is +10K more expensive. And the person looking for a PHEV is not looking for a sport pure ICE car, right? The Golf GTE is 4K more expensive than this Astra. Cupra PHEV 204cv is 2K more expensive, same as the Peugeot 308 GT with the same engine as the Astra . Seat León is 2K cheaper. The problem with PHEV from the VAG group is the book space gets quite a bit smaller than in the Stellantis group.

[@87Michael]

No more VXR? 💔

[@nomsi4263]

What are with these prices.

[@JerryFlint6]

Excellent Review. Is it made at Ellesmere Port?

[@josephmarsh8235]

Is there a question I could have answered Rory from Auto Trader? Remember your video about plug-in hybrids being pointless? Well, if you can't charge a PHEV at home, I can't for sure, should you not buy a plug-in hybrid if it's only available as a PHEV?

[@kenzohkw]

if you can't charge a PHEV at home then yes its pointless. Just buy a full hybrid that can run on battery and ICE. The Clio E-tech for example is a brilliant Full Hybrid. Can do over 70MPG if driven sensibly and with the electric motor it is smooth and nippy. I had one for 5 days in Italy on holiday and loved it. Such a good hybrid drivetrain.

[@zzhughesd]

To an R. Zero chance. Not even a VW Fan but the R MK7 7.5 8. And GTi. And entire Golf range MK8 awesome. This holds no candle

[@TheNorville2]

Then you have not heard of the VW Golf GTE, i have one and i can tell you it is pretty good. Mind you i have mine chipped and it flies... what it should have been from the factory.

[@johnthegreek7356]

Who would buy something like this??

[@JamesSmith-wg4xr]

Grandland is a Peugeot 3008 hybrid 300 which does 0-60 in 5.9 seconds

[@Don-pk2uy]

Love the way this looks but the pricing is nuts. Where is the OPC brand???

[@johnnyhickman6798]

My accountant wouldn’t recommend spending 40k on an Astra that’s a bit slow.

[@lawrenceroberts6693]

If this had 300+ hp ide definitely be looking into buying one

[@Box550]

So lets stick a GSE badge on the back or a normal Astra, convince people its better and charge a base figure of £40k............Were the marketing team smoking something at the time.

[@hungrr08]

I wouldn’t pay 40p for a Vauxhall. Never mind 40k 😂

[@A_S12042]

New cars look great and the future looks bright but 40 grand for an Astra is a joke. Can’t wait to see what new electric cars will start at 😢😵‍💫

[@ВіталійДедік]

Didn't like the car, but appreciate honest review, so commenting.

[@lachonlachon]

What german island is that? Mallorca?

[@renekoenes]

Did he he say black door handles and pointed at the side mirrors?

[@roilev]

Honda CR-Z was a performance hybrid hatchback

[@refemelemalete3622]

Lol his saying this car really sucks but in a very polite way.

[@mitchelljackson1263]

Think the golf R reference is to get more reviews It's way off though Isn't it . Sorry vauxhall it's a no from me

[@shammyh]

"black door handles", you mean "black side view mirrors"?

[@robsmall6466]

Affordable ? Is Autotrader activity trying to sound clueless or what ? And comparing it to a Golf R. What an absolute joke. Not even the same category. I read about this car in Autocar magazine last year. It was dead in the water then and it's dead in the water now. £40k people. As Kimi would say "For What ?"

[@michael589]

Where in the world are you? That road looks incredible and I want to drive on it!!! Look forward to a response! Tia! 🙏🙏

[@mitchelljackson1263]

Honestly who is going to buy this at that price? Maybe the uninformed? Sorry to say I think it will flop much better choices at this price and below... This doesn't even really compare with a soft hatch!!! World gone mad

[@OwlyEagle]

We just declared the GTE dead? 🥲

[@STANNY8]

'black door handles' ???

[@danmayberry1185]

GSe - for ABBA fans too cool for studio albums, and prefer them live.

[@fill7t1]

Welcome the new peugeot hybrid!

[@Hammertime4404]

People in the comments are missing the point, the price is irrelevant. It’s a plug in hybrid designed for company car users so the BIK will be less than half of a normal combustion engine car. Imo a plug in hybrid is not a sensible choice for your average buyer on finance or cash

[@stephenthomas9197]

octavia vrs has a hybrid option

[@OutVanAbout]

Black door handles that look like black door mirrors 😁

[@halamasch93]

The Golf GTE is another PHEV hot hatch... and a better one too

[@scoobysport2000]

Rory, you mention that it has 225bhp and it’s not really a performance car. Back in 2003 a Subaru Impreza WRX had 227bhp and that was often referred to as a high performance car. That’s what this Astra is like.. it’s a standard Impreza WRX. Vauxhall needs to do it’s own STI version with say 300bhp.. Perhaps call it the GSe-R?

[@JingleBombzz]

That was 20 years ago, you cant call a car with a 7.5 second 0-62 a performance car these days, a regular Audi A3 with 150PS is 8 seconds to 62...

[@Inversible100]

i'm from germany and i can't get over the fact that people say "Vauxhall" to an opel in England.

[@willh9386]

I used to be a Vauxhall man but they need to take a look in the mirror 40k for a slow Astra what is the point in this car ?! Ridiculous

[@faustinaadu2284]

Does anyone know if Vauxhall/Open will make a quicker Astra? I hope they do

[@vpnconsult]

This one is >1700kg

[@TotallyIced2]

Hey Rory, I have a vw Arteon shooting break GTE….I think a spin in that might get your pulse racing 😂….

[@SplatterRaptor]

Imo if you’re considering this you’re not thinking about a Golf R, A35, etc. I’m sure there’s other things like the golf GTE are more suitable, and to be honest they’ve just not marketed it right calling it sporty/performance. There’s a lot of people that’ll like this cos it’s not a golf and looks a bit funky, as well as generally liking Vauxhalls for their usual characteristics.