New Vauxhall Astra review: has it saved the family hatchback?

[@Jay-B1750]

I've never been keen on the Astra but this looks superb and seems very a very well rounded package! The only niggle I'd say was screens could do a cap over the top of it to help with glare/reflection, really hope Stellantis bring the Giulietta back.

[@peterrolt6403]

I am glad this is a good car, very economical to run without resorting to batteries. It may not have the torque of an EV but in real world situations that is not as important as reviewers make out.

[@davidcameron8163]

It has a Camero front end, so much better than a lot of others. Well done vauxhall.

[@robsawalker]

That sea of shiny black plastic around the screen is a massive no-no for me. Rank. Shame, because it looks great from the outside.

[@andrewlongden-thurgood7139]

I believe if you upgrade the nav or system you get a full screen and lose the plastic round the screen

[@mattltvtoyreviews1955]

@@andrewlongden-thurgood7139 qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq1

[@aamirh3567]

mercedes used to have this in all its previous generations if you picked the lower specced models of anything but S-class

[@pipoo1]

The GS and Ultimate spec cars were never meant to have the black plastic surround but glass, unfortunately Putins invasion of Ukraine meant production of the panels had to be hastily moved from Ukraine and they weren’t ready at launch. As of mid 2023 GS and Ultimate have the glass surround pure panel pro system as standard and I can confirm it’s a very elegant looking design reminiscent of the BMW 3 Series layout.

[@l.n3187]

I agree wholeheartedly with his comment about a "sense of quality", these cars are not luxury cars however the design choices are in my opinion perfect, there is nothing even in my 2007 Astra H that makes me think it was poorly thought out, everything is designed for purpose.

[@pipoo1]

I’ve had the GS Line in that yellow for two weeks now, it replaced a previous MK7 Astra. About the only thing that’s the same is the fact it’s badged as an Astra, it’s a completely different car in every way. The upgrade to the pure panel pro with glass panel screen surrounds really finishes off the interior and it’s a very comfortable car for a long distance drive, having driven it from London Aberdeen. If this car can’t save the hatchback then I sadly think nothing can.

[@jordansands2094]

I have one of these on order, I went for the ultimate which comes with a better sound system, sunroof, wireless charging and other extras that the gs line doesn’t come with, if it’s gonna be a long term car 110% get the ultimate over the gs line 👍🏻

[@leonpomell9719]

I have placed an order also. Did you get yours ?

[@michealclarke1077]

?

[@jamesmccormack3229]

I have seen a few of these now in the metal and they are really nice, a couple have been in black and it looks really stealth like, its a handsome looking car.

[@MrRicardo11]

I hired one recently for a week a 1.2 Turbo GS Line. Extremely impressive car and quick. Build quality is brilliant and it's extremely comfortable to drive. If you keep the cruise control on larger motorway journeys just below 70 mph about 67 mph then we found the fuel consumption around 58 mpg which I think is brilliant. I am not sure what the reviewer is talking about as far as the performance is concerned because it can go like a scolded cat if you push it. All in all we were very impressed with the car and we are seriously considering ordering a new one.

[@carbuyer]

It just feels a bit dimwitted at times. If you're used to electric or hybrid cars, the Astra misses that initial boost when you put your foot down.

[@MrRicardo11]

@@carbuyer Not if you drive it in sports mode and your foot to the floor

[@bensmithkent22]

@@MrRicardo11 imagine booting around a 130bhp 3 cyl in a car that size. What a miserable experience. The generation before (k) had a 1.4 turbo that genuinely was borderline nippy and a sleeper 1.6 turbo that was nippy. However this looks far nicer inside and out.

[@MrRicardo11]

@Lifesloser I do actually enjoy driving about in it. , and it's really very lively. In fact, it feels like I'm driving a 2.0 . That 1.4 T that you mentioned is one of the most unreliable engines Vauxhall ever produced. A lot of them need major work before they get to 50k, and they eat gearboxes .

[@ingraam7]

Doggie at 0:28!

[@garymason7]

I went and sat in one several months ago and what I didn't like was the vast amounts of that piano black surround on the screens. It looked a bit naff and will look dated quite soon. I think the exterior styling will look dated soon too.

[@anthonystevens8683]

I must admit I do like the look of the car even if those performance looks might not translate to the performance on the road. Looking at the target market it's a family car that thrashing around is less likely to be the stable drive. With that well thought out interior and sensible equipment I think it's definitely worth considering. It may not be the best at anything but it's a pretty good all round package as an SUV alternative. Test driving the alternatives is always recommended for any new car purchase, apologies, I know that 's probably obvious.

[@dontpanicblink]

not going to mention you can get a manual gearbox too ?

[@jamiep61]

I enjoyed watching the Video Review. GS Line Is expected to be the best seller In the UK 😊

[@frankheaton5338]

i have had mine for 2 weeks.i love it mine has the pro display.its a full glass with no breaks in it.full glass and metal back.

[@AR-zr1om]

When this goes EV next year I really hope they do a VXR version. That design would look amazing chavved up

[@jamiep61]

Recently Vauxhall revealed a New GSe Model 😊

[@robsmall6466]

@@jamiep61 Autocar have quoted nearly £40k for that model and only 222bhp. If that's true it's dead in the water. I'd like to see a proper VXR or the GSe at a sensible price

[@jamiep61]

I hope Vauxhall listens and launches a new VXR Model

[@robsmall6466]

@@jamiep61 Yes. Miss that part of Vauxhall very much. Always went aggressive with the styling. If they do that again I think they will be onto a winner but they have to make it affordable performance. Silly prices are not going to work. I think this new Astra in certain specs is competitively priced. Haven't seen one yet but wish it succes. Vauxhall are doing well on styling with this and the Mokka

[@mikeowen1192]

I think this astra will wipe the floor on sales of focus ect as the Corsa has with fiesta very good looking car

[@nickbromhall]

Only reason for Vauxhall beating Ford on comparable models is microchip supply issues. ford stopped taking orders on Fiesta and Focus to prioritise more profitable SUV models. Not rocket science. Vauxhalls are basically Peugeots in a different outfit.

[@EngineerLewis]

Mr Reviewer, you have moved to the electric car world and so your comments are biased - most of us poor folk are still driving older petrol and diesel cars so comparing the new Astra with an electric car does not apply to us. Please consider the rest of the world who don't have the cash to buy new cars! Thanks🐫👍

[@teatimetel174]

wierdly enough he never mentions the mpg on the diesel.

[@carbuyer]

But this Astra is a brand-new car...!

[@back2workofficial]

Damn what a good looking car !!!!!!

[@ragasdapper]

I needed a good family car thought about an Astra for 2 seconds then brought a Zafira GSI

[@mikeowen1192]

Really didn't know that zafira was still being produced vauxhall seem to be on the up great news

[@ragasdapper]

@@mikeowen1192 Older vauxhalls are better

[@Kingsley-p6n]

I must drive this beauty within 10 months. New Black colour ultimate version

[@chriswright4252]

I quite like it - hope they do a GSi or VXR model!

[@Aphix_798]

a GSe model will be coming soon, but I completely agree with the VXR

[@carbuyer]

Plug-in hybrid GSe model coming soon!

[@malct6545]

Hatchbacks are great for a small family, no need for a giant SUV unless you have lots to carry around

[@imikez3815]

Some people are very tall

[@pipoo1]

@@imikez3815Some people yes not everyone, I have a friend who’s 6ft2 former rugby player and he’s just bought a Mini Cooper S as his daily driver.

[@Mav86asian]

I’d still have a Golf GTI over this.

[@carbuyer]

We'll cast judgement when we've driven the Astra GSe...!

[@Zoranurai13]

Looks great from the outside but god does the dash look like a cheap tv from 2005

[@talkandplay]

Spec has been updated recently on GS line and Ultimate to now have Pure Panel Pro displays instead of the inferior Pure Panel displays featured in this review.

[@d947]

I ordered the Astra Sports Tourer

[@carbuyer]

Nice!

[@interceptor-ss8kb]

Biggest problem with the Astra is as soon as someone says Vauxhall Astra you instantly think boring hatchback, its never been the best at anything and the last few generations from mk3 onwards have just been soulless. Best thing Vauxhall/opel could have done is killed off the Astra nameplate and started fresh

[@KING0SISQO]

I like it but how is a 1.2 130hp car £31k??? Only a few years ago 1.6 270hp was just under £30k and that WAS the top spec.

[@carbuyer]

Like everything else (bread, milk, bus tickets etc) cars are getting more expensive!

[@KING0SISQO]

@@carbuyer yep. It seems everything is becoming a luxury these days.

[@L77yma]

Where’s the cape?

[@jasonbernard1277]

‘It isn’t an SUV’ - amazing insight

[@AppleUK2000]

Prefer the Peugeot 308

[@witnesspropro]

People buying a petrol Astra won't have driven "electrified cars". Only car reviewers drive loads of different cars. Most normal people only get to drive one, maybe two cars. This is why most of your reviews are not really of any use to most people.

[@carbuyer]

But that's why we're here. If only to compare with models that the general public may not have driven? If a better option exists, it's our job to point it out...

[@witnesspropro]

@@carbuyer But you don't live with the car on a day-to-day basis. Things that you think might be an issue because you've driven the car for a few minutes, won't be an issue for people that own the car.

[@rchatte100]

When i was looking, 308 had lower lease rates.

[@carbuyer]

Always worth checking the deals - some can make a good car, great!

[@ApurtureSci]

Nice enough exterior but all that piano black plastic inside is ghastly.

[@simonmayes386]

Had this on order for over 7 months and still waiting for it's come in from the factory. Longest car I ever waiting for and cost me just under 40k gs line is not as nice as the unlimited one that's one comes with bigger wheels gs line has the smaller wheels and don't have a sun roof like the unlimited version. I prob still drive my audi tt.

[@Nigelrudyardmusic]

Much prefer hatchbacks to SUVs -- more aerodynamic and handle better.

[@francescobarillaro6277]

Beautiful!!! 🤩

[@stuartwatson6345]

Pure tech with wet belt , look at cost of replacement and problems before buying , it just a Peugeot.

[@abc33944]

Lois pretty decent tbh

[@eddy7985]

Shame they dropped the 1.6L from the range

[@graemetaylor629]

Great looking Astra but makes men laugh when the have to deliberately try to bang there head putting in the baby seat 😂

[@stevencampbell1150]

Of course the 1.2 is going to be slower, it's a small engine powering a larger car! You can't defy the laws of physics! For distance the diesel will be hard to beat as a plug in hybrid is really only any good for short trips where you're using electricity for the short trips & petrol if u need to go further.

[@carbuyer]

With 128bhp, we expected more. Unfortunately, the lack of mild-hybrid assistance means it can feel a bit sluggish at times...

[@stevencampbell1150]

@@carbuyer it's because it's a small engine pushing a medium sized car which if it was a Corsa because it's smaller and lighter would be much better but it's too weedy an engine for the size of car. Like I said you can't defy the laws of physics. Too many people buy a larger car with a smaller engine thinking it's going to be easier on fuel when because it has to work harder pushing a bigger car it'll be the exact opposite. Case in point, my mum had a 1.4 turbo vauxhall meriva which was allegedly supposed to be the same as a 1.6 but but because when u put the foot down as it was a smaller engine with a turbo not only had you to wait until the turbo spooled up but also by that point because it was a smaller engine pushing a bigger carit then drank the petrol like nothing else.

[@freddavis5648]

It's an ice car no one will buy one new Vauxhall will go broke flogging these dinosaurs

[@TrickyWoo109]

Where's Nicola gone? 😭

[@kieran8791]

Ordered mine in June. Still waiting :(

[@Retrox1989]

I cancelled mine. Ordered it June too, got a phone call last week to say "Too speed up production the roof will now be the same colour as the rest of the car, instead of black." I asked if i agree will i get it soon. They replied with "No, we still have no idea when it will be built". So i just told them to cancel my order.

[@kieran8791]

@@Retrox1989 damn that’s bad. I got mine a few weeks ago finally. But I was lucky to it was the only one that come into the dealership I think

[@saraadam3941]

@@kieran8791 does yours have pure panel pro? Or just the pure panel?

[@kieran8791]

@@saraadam3941 i got the design model so think its just pure panel. the basic 10 inch screen one

[@arnoldtabor3767]

Why does no one look at the bloody glove box

[@jamiurrahmanchoudhury9430]

They could make the engine a bit powerful. 130 bhp is bit low.

[@bensmithkent22]

Considering the 1.4 and 1.6 petrol engines from the shape before its stingy. That psa 1.2 turbo with 130bhp was in the previous gen 308 also so is nothing new. What happened to the 1.2 145 petrol in the astra k. Guess its all aimed at economy.

[@howardhindson1470]

Pure French crap I've had vauxhall since I passed my test in 1988 I've got 1 of the last 1's vauxhall built no more for me

[@colin_a]

Why does every reviewer think we all want EV's..?. We have no infrastructure to support plugin's.., and the cost is daft.., so i, for one, welcome a review of a petrol engine.. More petrol cars please...👍

[@carbuyer]

We know full well there are plenty of people not yet ready for EVs. Our last 10 reviews have been petrol, diesel or hybrid...!

[@blunpabb2766]

Sorry but the interior looks absolutely naff! 🤮

[@rasherbasher8203]

This guy never tells us the power or 0-60... only said about the diesel🙄

[@carbuyer]

Our reviews are intended to give you a look at all the different features, as well as opinions on practicality, kit, driving etc. Anything we've missed can be found in our written reviews at carbuyer.co.uk

[@12Bashandy]

Opel

[@grahamherbert3612]

I'll stick with my K 2019 1.6T Plenty quick enough.

[@Apex180]

Doesn't look like a astra...... which isn't a bad thing :D - the dash on the other hand....what the actual frell, to me that doesn't float my boat; the rest of it seems decent enough.

[@carbuyer]

On the contrary - the dash is a highlight! The buttons are easy to use and the screen is pretty responsive. No complaints from our side.

[@jamiep61]

@@carbuyer I agree about the dashboard design

[@stuartcraigon2003]

It looks like a rehashed mk5 astra just with different bumpers and grill.

[@shroomyesc]

Maybe looks, but not in the slightest

[@Sto79Be]

And that’s a good thing! 👍🏻

[@craigrose2097]

This video was filmed I aldershot

[@alanhowe1455]

No! It's horrid to look at. People aren't buying them - they prefer the Mokka.

[@al1356]

At over £40k they will be lucky if they sell 100. Luxury tax bracket for an Astra, no thank you.

[@abc33944]

Jeeeez £40k?

[@pipoo1]

That’s the top spec electric “ultimate” model that literally has option added at the factory, and even with that, there are some fantastic personal lease deals just now making it significantly cheaper than the entry level Design Petrol. Nobody ever pays list price for a new Vauxhall.

[@XzzVttll]

Astra never had a big rear seat room.

[@stephendodge4086]

The Astra K has a large rear seat room

[@teatimetel174]

got to be black.

[@thomash2806]

“Vauxhall thinks…”. I don’t think Vauxhall thinks very much at all. It has never been more of a simple badge change… I’m sure there’s nothing significant that’s Vauxhall-specific about the Astra.

[@HadrianTAZ]

Just go and buy the Golf, there is not even a chance of comparison between them.

[@carbuyer]

We'd quite possibly choose the Astra over the Golf right now...

[@HadrianTAZ]

@@carbuyer the lack of buttons really brought the Golf down. Rumour has it VW is working on bringing back physical buttons, among other things. I ll take your advice tho!

[@talkandplay]

You would be mad to buy a golf over this especially with all the known issues VW are having recently.

[@HadrianTAZ]

@@talkandplay one would not be mad if they buy a golf lol. Golf is better than any Vauxhall, even the golf 8. By miles. That is why they are still expensive that is why so many people buy them. And I had many cars also, a VW Golf is one of the best cars ever ( granted I have the 7.5). And what issues are you talking about mate? Literally I had to jump start my coworker's 2019 Astra so many times, especially in cold weather. He took it back to the dealer and still could not fix it. And it is just one example, but from interiour to exterior, performance, reliability and bagde, there is no comparison. Maybe this new one might get close, but I have a feeling VW is going to do a face-lift fairly soon to address some of the issues with the buttons.

[@HadrianTAZ]

@@talkandplay No offence please mate, the reason I am advocating for Golf is because : I owned a Lancia Ypsilon, new Mercedes B Class when it came out, new 2006 Mercedes E Class, new 2008 Mercedes ML, two Fiats, a Polo, a VW Bora owned by my dad, two Ford Focuses (2015), a Mitsubishi ASX, an Audi A5 and a Golf 7.5 (2018). While true I have not owned a Vauxhall, I still have mates, family members that own them and so I've been around them. They drive alright but personally I would never buy them over a Golf. In fact, after all the cars I owned, I think the Golf 7.5 with a petrol engine is the best car ever made in my opinion. Extremely reliable if you service it, supremely comfortable, nice to drive, good looking, good quality inside, small but still big enough. They are amazing value for money. But I agree the new ones have some issues and that the new Astra looks great so I can see many people choosing an alternative

[@ianputt2045]

Not exactly the next level 😂

[@Goku-sm4pc]

It’s a Vauxhall so no

[@adammoonface]

🥱🥱🥱🥱😴😴

[@rthompson938]

Nope! Don't like the looks.

[@WilliamMcBride]

First

[@carbuyer]

By a full seven minutes! Well done, William.

[@WilliamMcBride]

@@carbuyer Thx!

[@411nightnheaven]

Camaro wannabe

[@MOSSFEEN]

Vauxhall is nothing but a name now there cars arent even built in the UK now Its an Opel / Peugeot in Drag

[@PatLadsChan99]

To be fair it's been like that for over w decade. But even more so now

[@krisianzavalani]

Hands down the ugliest steering wheel on anything with wheels!!!

[@scottsvxr]

🤢🤢🤮

[@iamricardomarques]

This isn't it.