Opel Astra 2016 1.4 Turbo 150 HP (ENG) - Test Drive and Review

[@PB-fj5lh]

I love my old astra :o) 1.6 SXi Astra H. It's almost six years old and not even had to change a bulb as yet, it's been brilliant.

[@miloszikic88]

I've set in the new Astra for couple of minutes, and from what I saw I can say that it has interior for two classes batter than other hatchbacks in its class (Focus, Ceed, etc). I was really impressed, big step up.

[@Optidorf]

I had one this year in May as a rental car for ten days and I was pleasantly surprised (coming from a BMW i8). When it comes to the interior Opel has made some major improvements although the hard plastics are still present. I think the ergenomics of the dashboard and sat nav are quite good and it's a comfortable car to drive. The 150 hp engine is powerful enough for all situations and it rides quite smoothly.

[@michaelflinn7784]

Love my Astra. Great car even after about 80 000kms.

[@Astrameise_]

Me too, mine has 77.000 km now. I love it ❤️ What engine and transmission has your Astra?

[@simonconneely5394]

Hi Marek. I really love the Opels. I own a 2002 1.4P opel astra GL hatchback 145K miles. The car is going like clockwork. I really like the look of this new Astra, very intelligent car now.

[@andrejkrusic372]

I like his humor... it brightens up the review...

[@puftepos]

Being curious and wanting to buy a car in the near future, I went to see for myself the new Astra and to get enlightened about where the car ranks. After watching the model at a dealer in Bucharest, I found out that Opel Astra K has many pluses, but also sufficient minuses. Positive sides: Astra K benefits from an aerodynamic and very pleasant exterior design, the snout's attitude being sufficiently aggressive, an aspect which is even more pronounced in the case of choosing the IntelliLux headlamps. Also, the dashboard is well thought out and designed, with elegant lines, ergonomically distributed commands and with good quality materials which are pleasant to the touch. However, there are still relatively many buttons (old habits die hard...) but the inconvenience is offset by the incredibly ergonomic gearshift: the remaining buttons are in reach of a hand held on the gearshift and can be easily learnt. Other pluses, in my opinion, would be the wipers (which starts from near the A pillars and, therefore, are cleaning the windshield in a much more efficient way) and the standard halogen H7 headlights equipped with a lens that provides a more practical and efficient beam distribution. Negative sides: Generally, the car stays very well in regard of the front seats, the only thing to mention being the adjustable steering wheel not raising enough in case of a driver with a height of 1.85 - 1.90 m tall. A tall driver would either have to touch the steering wheel with his knees or sit with the steering wheel too close to his chest. The things take, however, a somewhat unpleasant turn when it comes to the rear seats. Despite a generous wheelbase, if the driver is 1.80 - 1.85 m tall, then a person with a similar height will not sit comfortably on the seat behind the driver, he will have to either sit with his knees touching the backrest of the front seat, either with his legs apart to somehow fit the backrest of the frontseat. In any case, it is not a comfortable position to sit in the case of a five hours journey. Then the curvature of the roof and the C pillars is prone to, I would say, endangering the lives of taller passengers occupying the rear seats in case of a more serious accident, especially if it is with rollover. There is a risk, I would say, of cranial and cervical fractures which can occur at the tallest of us. Also at the C pillars, although very nice fitted on the outside with a shiny black piece of plastic that connects the last piece of glass of the rear door with the rear window causing a nice continuous look, they do provide difficulties when it comes for the natural light to enter the interior of the car and when it comes to the side visibility. The pillars are massive on the interior side and, in conjunction with the rear window which is not very generous and which does not allow good visibility behind the car, they pretty much obstruct the space through which the natural light could come in and through which the driver could observe in a much better manner the blind spots. There would be a proximity sensor somewhere in the rear bumper that, with the help of warning lights in the side mirrors, informs the driver if something stands in the blind spot, but I do not know if this sensor comes as standard or optional. Anyway, all this ceiling, pillars and small rear window thing generates some discomfort and claustrophobic feeling. The boot: although Opel informs about a volume of 370 liters for Astra K, I came to another conclusion. The dimensions of the boot's base are 103 x 72 x 41 cm, or that results in a volume of only 304 liters. If we add that the backrest of the rear seats is reclined towards the trunk, then the situation with the boot's volume becomes even more dramatic. To me it seems that the trunk does meet the needs of only two people which would go on a one week holiday. But, of course, my opinion may be subjective and some people may find the boot volume to be satisfying. These are the ones observed by me at Astra K. Otherwise, to get an idea about the prices in Romania, a car in the "Enjoy" version, which is a decent one, with a 1.4 l petrol turbo engine with 125 hp (this is to maintain an optimum ratio of 100 bhp / ton) can get a catalogue price of 17,700 euros. Of course, the price can be negociated, but this thing is different from dealer to dealer. All the best!

[@Djeseret]

+Calin Pirlog The C pillars conceals the largest and strongest beam you will find in any car in this class. And there are more beams in the back, if you get hit at high speed from behind or at an angle from behind, then you have a chance to survive, but if you would be as violent hit in a for example, a VW Golf which almost not possess such beams - then you will most likely not survive - and in a rollover you will praise the strong rollbar... So if you think this is just stupid design? - think again... And The boot volume of 370 liters is without the option temporary spare wheel, with it's 310 and it is also declared. And Astra also possesses another not noticed unique feature - self-closing doors - if you close the door until it is 5-6 inches open the mechanism will take over and firmly close the door itself...

[@redblade8160]

Calin Pirlog Your negative points is merely personal gripes that don't actually exist.

[@puftepos]

Actually, they do exist, otherwise I wouldn't have mentioned them. As said, that was just my personal impression (which I still stand by) and, of course, it might be subjective, as I compared the car with my standards and needs.

[@redblade8160]

@@puftepos As I said, these are your own personal gripes that are not even worth mentioning and will not exist in the minds of anyone that is intent on buying an Astra.

[@puftepos]

@@redblade8160 k

[@bengalvin71]

Best car review joke on the net. Thanks for making dull research more fun

[@tomfisher7751]

very good review, this is a car I will consider buying in a few years

[@Risyn1]

well, did you?

[@rogiba5115]

@@Risyn1 yes he did..... so please leave him alone now..... hi is happy with his Astra..... im to..... i have one and im happy..... when you have an Astra then you have a lot of girls.... they love Astra.... then you can sniff a lot of big asses..... so yeaaaa..... buy an Astra

[@Ott4vi4nu5]

stop&start XD It actually makes more sense but they called it start&stop XD . gr8 review as always.

[@petrusvanvuuren3691]

My Astra is a 14t 2010 and can not tell you how impress I am with this car wound change it for the would.

[@jenssrensen7509]

Love your humor :-)

[@andorszen]

thanxs for your answer mate. Keep up the good job. regards from Hungary

[@jamiemoulds8140]

great review..I'll be getting mine in 2 weeks 😊

[@MarekDrives]

Let me know what's like to own in a couple of months.

[@jamiemoulds8140]

+Marek Drives hey no worries 😊

[@MLife1972]

Jamie Moulds so, how's it going. The Australian has just come to Australia so I'm keen to see what you think and anything to look out for please.

[@jamiemoulds8140]

Mark Rocque hiya..I'm really happy with my astra 1.4 turbo..it handles great..great going around the corners loads better than my old car that was a mokka awful car lol..fuel is not to good when you press the sports button..the look and the interior is stunning in my eyes anyway.but the bad news is I've got to get rid because we're having another baby and there's not enough room for all of us..oh one more thing is when your reversing it's quite tricky because the back window is way to small.

[@MLife1972]

Jamie Moulds Thanks so much, Jamie. This is really helpful. Sometimes cars get great reviews as new cars but after a few months you start to find the things that can annoy. Thanks for the advice regarding the windows - I'll be sure to test that out. I'm waiting until April because that's when the 1.6 turbo gets released in Australia. I hope your Astra replacement brings you as much happiness. Thanks again.

[@geeteebloke1979]

Great video 😎😎

[@ImranKhan-ud3qw]

I have vauxhall astra 2016. How to turn off radio while connecting android auto? I set gmap. It gives instructions for few seconds. Then radio comes in. Please tell how to resolve this?

[@rogiba5115]

Thank you Marek..... with car should i buy?..... this Astra or Ferrari F40..... please help me

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Why so mainstream? Pagani Zonda.

[@truthseeker8483]

The Astra is better...cheaper to buy and run...whilst not having to worry about where you park as much.....😀

[@Daumex]

30% of the review is about OnStar...

[@MarekDrives]

Because that's what's really new.

[@апаллачи]

Great review! Subscribed

[@MarekDrives]

Thanks for the sub!

[@redblade8160]

The new Vauxhall Astra has blasted right through the luxury class and taken the top spot and this is why other car manufacturers are jealous and worried!

[@Synfluence101]

I would have liked to see a review by you on the 1.6 model. What are your thoughts ?

[@calibra690v2]

hi, could you tell me which part code has the rear spoiler?

[@Henji96]

Very informative, thank you.

[@vladdancornea6342]

Which would you choose between this car and a mazda 3 120 ps for driving fun? And why?

[@kaankkaraman]

watt's link removed after 2016.5, did you hear smth like this???

[@Chrissepisje]

A bigger displacement wouldn't hurt, he says, about a 150bhp car. :) That's funny. In 1983 the holy grail of family cars like corolla's, kadett's and whatnot was a 90 bhp car. It seems to me our memory is short. And we forget we're not allowed to drive 130 km / h on interstates only. :)

[@MarekDrives]

Yes, but a 1980s Corolla weighed about 900 kg, and Astra K (after significant weight reduction compared to the previous generation) still weighs around 1300 kg. For driving at a constant speed within speed limits this is fine. But when time comes to overtake on a normal road, then you'd like to have more oomf. That said it's a constant battle for efficiency in real world scenario. There is no one good answer.

[@alberto.coutinho]

What model is best for 2016? 1.4 turbo petrol elite or 1.6 diesel cdti tech? I’m in doubt just looked both today

[@MarekDrivesENG]

One that has a full, verifiable service history.

[@ast5515]

I took my driving test in a G Astra. The brakes on that were A LOT better than my MK1 Focus. Everything else though... Terrible turbo lag on the 1.7 diesel, weird gear ratios (first was too short, second was too long, and there was a huge difference between them), and it had random moments of me not even touching any pedals and it jerking in gear above 1500 RPM. Never driven an Opel since, but I'm getting curious. I mean this thing is the car of the year for 2016 after all.

[@blackcarmafia]

+ast5515 astra G? Thats an oldtimer!

[@ast5515]

blackcarmafia 15 years old. Not that old.

[@lesroberts2244]

The best, thanks.

[@SusanMolepo]

Mine is a 2012 model is giving a problem with a turbo pls help

[@MarekDrivesENG]

I don't know. Go to a mechanic and get it fixed?

[@BratLjube]

Which equipment package does this test model have? It can't be Enjoy, can it? :)

[@MarekDrives]

No, it's top level trim, whatever it's called.

[@vanhakaveri]

One of my favorite small cars.

[@blackcarmafia]

+vanhakaveri its not small :) Its compact!

[@dublinsix4386]

thanks for the review. I was thinking of getting the Astra 1.4i Turbo 150PS as I thought it would be miles better than the 1.0i Turbo 105PS or even the 1.6CDTi 136PS. But you say it has no punch on the motorway, bad for overtaking? And this is the most powerful Astra...is it that bad?!

[@MarekDrives]

I'm saying it could use bigger displacement. It's like with new Volvo engines. You get 300 hp out of a 2 litre turbo. It will accelerate as promised, but you feel it is strained. The same here.

[@dublinsix4386]

Thanks for the quick response! Certainly better than the 1.0 105ps so!

[@andorszen]

hi Marek. Congratulations for the great review. I am wondering which one should I go for this or the facelifted Ford Focus? thx

[@MarekDrives]

Focus is more fun to drive, Astra has better multimedia.

[@craigstewart7359]

Nice vid, Marek what to you prefer this new astra or the soon to be out Megane which looks awesome?

[@MarekDrives]

+Craig Stewart Astra. BTW Megane is here already. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5OpZJd8eJinr6M

[@seseh5550]

Thank you for your review. Which car do you recommand, opel astra 1,4 or toyota prius 1,8?

[@adrianbriciu2260]

Mr. Marek in your opinion is beter to buy the astra or the Honda civic. Which drives better?

[@MarekDrives]

I haven't driven the 10the generation Civic, but 8th, 9th is better to drive than most hatchbacks on the market. If you don't need sat nav, buy 1.8 petrol Civic, while it's still available.

[@adrianbriciu2260]

Marek Drives

[@adrianbriciu2260]

Thx for the reply. What do u think about civic vs hrv. I like both. I'm tented by the hrv ground clearance and the better civic engine.

[@MarekDrives]

Adrian Briciu This is something you'll have to answer yourself. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKnKloKembSWZ9E

[@Pmjs]

I used to have a 2013 Vxl Astra 2.0CDTI 168bhp SRI Sports Tourer in Red.

[@edgk490]

Marek, if you did top 10 on compacts, would Astra be above Focus there?

[@MarekDrives]

+Edgars K Even the 120 hp diesel estate I reviewed last year was a great drive. Golf and Astra may be better in other departments, but for me Focus remains the most fun-to-drive compact.

[@YOCOSMINMAX16]

:)))Omg i love your reviews so much :D

[@HouseOfFunQM]

Hello I come from the distant future of 2022. GM killed the OnStar service only 2 years after launch, after discovering that absolutely nobody used it. Everyone who paid a lot of money for it, got shafted and never got a refund. The assistants were shit - if you had a crash, you would've had a faster response to scream for help until somebody heard you.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

How much was it, once the 1-year "free" subscription expired? I think I have "concierge" in my MINI, but never used it. I tried it once on a BMW for demo purposes, so I can imagine Google voice assistant is more use (and cheaper). It's a way carmakers packaged the mandatory e-call feature.

[@LeFFisko]

how is the ride vs focus? which one would be better on a long drive?

[@MarekDrives]

+LeFFisko The ride is similar. Focus has got far more responsive steering though.

[@LeFFisko]

thanks!

[@bachuusmusicstudios5511]

Great Review I Own The 2013 Opc Astra gtc . But the fuel eco.is realy bad on it ..som im thinking of getting this one instead .

[@vladdancornea6342]

Hey Marek, what's your opinion on the Opel Astra J Sedan with the 1.4 140 hp engine? You can get a new one pretty cheap nowadays in eastern europe. Besides this model, I'm considering the Focus with the 1.0 125 ecoboost engine.

[@MarekDrives]

I'm sorry, but I don't feel comfortable offering advise on used cars, especially as 2nd hand cars market reality varies from country to country.

[@vladdancornea6342]

Marek Drives they're both new cars, Ford are getting rid of the last mk 3 focuses and the astra j sedan is still in production in poland

[@MarekDrives]

Wow! I just looked at Opel's website. I didn't realise it was still in production. As far as I remember the previous Astra it was heavy and underpowered.

[@vladdancornea6342]

At that price point it is the least underpowered car (had a test drive in both of them). Is there any other compact car you would recommend at base spec? I prefer having a more powerful engine instead of other features.

[@MarekDrives]

Please take into account I am spoiled by usually driving mid- to high-spec press cars, so I cannot in earnest recommend any base-spec car, especially since the more powerful engines are assigned to better equipped cars. The last low-cost car that I would recommend to everyone was Chevrolet Orlando 1.8 petrol. That was a brilliant car.

[@jaroroytapel]

the rear visibility seems to be really really bad or is it just seems so in the video ? .

[@MarekDrives]

+Jarek Roitapfel Not too bad to deserve a mention.

[@drhuseyingunay]

Thank you for such a good review. Which car do you recommend, Opel Astra ST 1.4 vs Seat Leon ST FR 1.4? Unfortunately Seat Leon FR is 1.4 in Turkey.

[@MarekDrives]

I'm not a big fan of Seat these days. To me it lost its character, and is just filling space between Skoda and VW, a gap that doesn't need to be filled.

[@CrawfordGrimaldi]

A great car to drive in sport mode.

[@andreastattis]

i am between this and volvo v40.....any comments or thoughts about this two and what is the better option??

[@MarekDrives]

Subjectively V40 is better looking, but it's not particularly practical, and it is expensive to buy and service.

[@Moto-411]

i have a old astra so i might get this one but my 1 question is is there a towbar for this astra yet ? i need one with my car anyone know ?

[@prayerpowersr854]

I really like that jacket you are wearing where can I get one like that in same color?

[@MarekDrives]

I bought it two winters ago, so I guess you'll just have to look on Zalando or in outlet malls, which carry RL. bit.ly/299vXB7

[@maXXik1337]

Subsribed. I dont mind the jokes to be honest.

[@Saaztube]

Any review of the new Megane?

[@MarekDrives]

+nottoq In due time.

[@strofikornego9408]

This is .. Poland?????

[@MarekDrives]

yes.

[@Kelesis666]

Astra vs Leon 2016 1.2 auto, turbo and Leon 2016 1.4 manual turbo? Not the sports Leons

[@MarekDrives]

Astra.

[@doronharati7000]

+Marek Drives thanks, can you tell why?

[@MarekDrives]

It's newer, has more connectivity options, and in the end I think the bigger engine - the better. Small engines perform well (economy-wise) mainly in lab tests. In real life bigger displacement engine results are not far off, and there's less strain on the engine.

[@doronharati7000]

+Marek Drives thanks man!

[@Gaslionel]

Marek, great review. Awesome channel. Wich one you prefer?astra automatic 150hp Vs lexus ct 200. Thanks!

[@MarekDrives]

I haven't driven the automatic, but as far as I'm concerned anything is better then glorified Prius.

[@Gaslionel]

Thanks for reply!

[@predragknezevic6391]

Marek, since you tested Mazda 3 G165, can you compare the two engines, which one you prefer? What about handling? Thx p.s. Nice review as always, I like when people say what they really think.

[@MarekDrives]

+Predrag Knezevic Mazda handles better, period. And the 2 litre engine pulls better. The 1.4 turbo in the Astra is fine for the city, but out on country roads, when you want to overtake it lacks punch.

[@dannycoverley733]

Marek Drives 1.4 turbo 150bhp does not lack punch at all especially with the sport button selected (or is this in the UK only) great car

[@taomahNEGEV]

Astra 2016 vs. Megane 2016?

[@MarekDrives]

+Taoma H Astra.

[@kokoroko210]

Great car !!!

[@Icarus035]

Astra 2016 vs. VW Golf 2016 ?

[@MarekDrives]

Golf.

[@Icarus035]

Thanks for the quick reply. Can you please tell why? BTW, great review for new opel astra.

[@Icarus035]

Actually, I found your review of Golf 7. I think it's clear why.

[@MarekDrives]

BTW, I just noticed I'm missing many exterior driving shots. Must have forgotten while editing. Sorry.

[@blackmaster636]

this or the mazda 3?

[@MarekDrives]

Preferably VW Golf.

[@blackmaster636]

The golf is more expensive where I live and I can't afford it. If it was between the astra, the mazda 3 and the skoda rapid which one would you recommend? tanks :)

[@MarekDrives]

Aleks Černeka Mazda3 in low trim, Astra in higher trim.

[@blackmaster636]

can I ask why?

[@DavorPopovic]

hey Marek. Great job, I like your reviews! But I need one help from you... First I will tell you some info, I have now focus mk2.5 2.0 tdci, and I like this car, its not premium quality but its okay... and I love the power of this engine, but its very noise car, I get a lot of road noise and wind noise and it start from 100 km/h and most of time I drive between 140 - 160km/h and comfort is not good at all and noise is aaaaaaa :-) to loud. And now I see a lot of review for Astra K and on some review Astra is noisy and on some no... I do not know whom to believe. And if you need to choose from Astra K, Megane IV, Octavia, Kia Ceed and Hyundai i30, which would be it? priorities is quiet and no to much road and wind noise at 140 km/h ( so I need good sound isolation ), with good and not slow and not buggy infotainment system ( most important is nav, USB, radio and phone connection with android, mirrorlink if possible because in my country android auto is not work ), to be safety car for familly and last one is to engine be with good strong to I can drive it in city and on highway when car is full + boot is full + the climate works its noot need to be sporty and to fast but not want to have powerless engine, something simillar like I have now with this focus and 2.0 tdci with 136HP. And its not need to be diesel ( not like it because DPF, EGR etc... ) :-( it can be petrol also, so some diesel or petrol but reliable engine? And I forget to tell, I'm very pleased with the size of the boot on focus mk2.5 it is around 390L and most of time I do not need full capacity of this boot, but I think I need a minimum of around 360L. Tnx in advance! :-)

[@MarekDrives]

If you want quiet, I'd see which one of them offers acoustic windscreen and front side windows. As far as infotainment goes you DON'T want Renault. KIA and Hyundai are middle of the road.

[@DavorPopovic]

Ehe Marek, thank you very much, then Megane is out :) please do not forget me for this acoustic windows :) and if there is no this option .. you can tell me from your experience, when you drive this cars... which one was okay for driving at speed around 120 Km/h or more... and if Megane was okay, I can forgive him infotainment system.. tnx

[@telosfd]

Made in?

[@ReValveiT_01]

England.

[@telosfd]

@@ReValveiT_01 Don't telling me!!!

[@truthseeker8483]

assembled in Poland and UK

[@rasputinf]

phone cradle (or holder) is not that clever imo. that huge area should have been a storage compartment to put your phone, wallet etc...

[@4tom2u]

Nice review, everything seems nice but I am afraid of that steering. Some of my friends had a lot of problems on Corsa and Astra (previous models). Dealerships were real bastards, hope they took care of that problem on new Opel generation

[@sIN4IKe]

BE CAREFUL DONT BUY THE ASTRA 2016 onwards. Poor engine design which causing them to have weak pistons that can go at any point. Costing thousands to replace. Not sure if they’ve fixed this but my 66 plate 1.4 turbo elite has this issue now. They should have recalled all cars and replaced these with the stronger pistons they now have. Mines been fully serviced every 6 months and done less than 28k miles. I bought it used 9 months ago and because it’s 4 years old it’s out of manufacturers warranty. I’m stuck on what to do to be honest. Just thought I’d warn you all so you don’t get fucked over like me. Still waiting for Vauxhall to come back to me but not holding out any hope they will take responsibility.

[@BokiXI]

No armrest in the back seat.. strange.

[@mah0aga]

cost saving baby

[@dusantomic9126]

It's an option, if you want it. Nowdays, carmakers will charge you extra stupid things, which were standard 10 years ago.

[@YHsTig]

nice English subbed you!

[@munnabordoloi1462]

👍 👍 👍 👍 👍

[@Yakito666]

Awesome accent.

[@denault3985]

Great looking aluminum hat you have there, did you feel the microwaves sent by your country or should I say the US government? :-)

[@999qwe999]

No i mam dylemat pomiędzy Astrą, a Hondą Jazz... Stawiam głównie na użyteczność, spalanie (głównie w mieście), komfort jazdy i niezawodność i nie wiem, który z tych samochodów będzie lepszy dla mojej rodziny. Z jednej strony Jazz jest niezawodny, ma niskie spalanie i dużą ilość schowków, a także "magicznie" składane siedzenia. Astra ma niewiele większe spalanie, jest troszkę mniej niezawodna i wygląda lepiej (na moje oko). Z drugiej strony w Jazzie kierownica się sama nie odkręca, a za Astrę miał bym wyższe ubezpieczenie i road tax (UK). Rozważam tylko najbardziej wyposażone wersje i mam z tym ciężki orzech do zgryzienia.

[@MarekDrives]

+999qwe999 Może to pomoże. Na parę pytań musisz odpowiedzieć Ty i Twoja rodzina. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGq7YZhuot6VjMk

[@999qwe999]

Marek Drives Dzięki!

[@giovannicesari6908]

hahahahahahahahaha funny and useful :-)

[@giovannicesari6908]

btw excelent car!

[@hoop5824]

Funny guy, love the tin foil hat, good review...the astra on the other hands seems a bit of a mixed bag, it's good in some parts and fails in others which is a shame, with a bit more effort it could give the golf a blood nose.

[@2595220]

*cough* vauxhall!!

[@Yakito666]

It is in "pleb-land" :D Opel everywhere else.

[@samthomas4873]

So called 'plebland' is the country that manufactures these cars so therefor vauxhall is the correct name

[@williamegler8771]

@@samthomas4873 then all the Vauxhall products produced in Germany Belgium Poland and Spain should be called Opel right? The Astra is produced in the U.K. using components sourced from the mainland, about 70% worth, using a Opel design but it is still a Vauxhall? Vauxhall hasn't designed a car independently since the original Viva. Since 1980 they have just been variations of Opel's.