Vauxhall Astra VXR (Team Review) - Fifth Gear

The team review the Vauxhall Astra VXR, and have a test drive with Jonny at the wheel!
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[@hayksamvelyan]

"Three driving instructors...wonderful" haha I loved that

[@ULSTERISBRITISH]

I’ve owned one for a few years from brand new. Even with tuning and other mods it hasn’t missed a beat. With tuning and few other upgrades it’s just under 340 bhp and can use every bit of it. It can also be what you need it to be ie use vxr button it can be dramatic and exciting. It’ll just as easily cruise including comfortable ride. It aesthetically pleasing across the board ie you granny , your missus and/or your kids will all like something about it’s looks. With an upgrade to the exhaust ie turbo back 3” fully stainless system gives a fantastic sound including crackles and bangs. When you think of its predecessor and the lack of quality (interior etc) it has came on leaps and bounds and is a lovely place be inside. I usually change car every 2-3 years but I’ve had this 4 now and still have no desire to change it. Think I’ll put some more mods into it. I can’t praise this car enough and that’s from someone who right up until I bought it said I’d never buy a Vauxhall lol 😂

[@hamishthomson8196]

ULSTERISBRITISH 1690 I just bought 1 mate , the car is quality lol getting it remapped next week to just over 300 bhp ,for now anyway lol then pop a milltek system on her and tune it again lol 👌🏻

[@richsamuelson6962]

How is it now? Was the pops and bangs cheap to get about?

[@69bock69]

and now they are pretty cheap. a bargain in my eyes

[@soundseeker63]

Complaining that the 2.0 turbo engine sounds like a 2.0 turbo engine.... lol what noise were they expecting? A Ferrari V12?

[@MrRohanThomas]

they want fake engine sounds

[@karloandraka3909]

You have a lot of other 2.0 turbo cars that sound amazing apart from this.. gti, megane rs, 308 gti, mini JCW and others so...

[@soundseeker63]

@@karloandraka3909 Nope. The Golf plays fake noise through the speakers inside and sounds like someone farting outside. Megane RS sounds pretty much the same as the Astra apart from some extra pops and bangs (which are programmed in). The Peugeot is a 1.6 and doesn't sound like anything much. The Mini I haven't heard but pretty sure thats a 3-cyl now.... Most hot hatche engines don't sound that special, because they aren't. Usually just an ordinary 4-pot engine with a hefty turbo bolted on. They are what they are. BMW used to offer a 6-cyl in the M140i but have dropped that now (boooo!) Audi still offer a 5-cyl in their RS3 but that costs nearly £50,000!!! If a big engine with lots of cylinders is what you want, you buy a different class of car! Simple.

[@greensamurai5805]

There are a lot of 2l turbo engines that sound great

[@Tombrosapien]

Hondas have the best sounding 2.0 4pots 🚗💨

[@ShanesAutos]

Epic car, drove one over the course of 2 days last week and it is proper fast and unlike fifth gear i liked the turbo noises. Brilliant car.

[@robinheiz]

Shane Earley yea it's really powerful. But I don't like the gearbox very much. How did you like the gearbox?

[@ShanesAutos]

+robinheiz I didnt mind it. I guess the throws could be shorter but honestly I had no problem with the grarbox.

[@amapolishplummer]

@@robinheiz Gearbox felt crap. Numb, loose and too long of a throw. Shame because otherwise it's an awesome car. Also residual values and running costs are frightening, another reason I got a Mini JCW.

[@russellstevens2222]

Viki's problem is it doesn't have a VW badge therefore its awful. their bias knows no bounds

[@kylio85]

Agree bro

[@Zero_Ninety]

Anyone who chooses an Astra over a Golf is insane.

[@jackmill6301]

The Astra is nicer to look at and nicer to drive than the golf

[@Rapscallion2009]

Yep. Always the way.

[@johnny6476]

@@Zero_Ninety I would always choose an Astra over a golf, Golfs are dull and the interior is horrible and the styling is not much different to the last one.

[@marklangton5133]

I've just bought one in black and they are proper quick

[@ChampionBlueRacing]

So what's it like owning one? Since I live in the US and we don't get Vauxhalls over sadly..

[@marklangton5133]

I've had it a year And half and it still surprises me now only thing I regret is not getting one with sat nav

[@chrisdooley6468]

Mark Langton three years on you still own it mark? Just curious

[@marklangton5133]

@@chrisdooley6468sadly no i sold it i do miss it

[@sanelaheldic5029]

Buy an mazda 3 mps then see the difference

[@jboi9309]

Gr8 looking hot hatch. Bought a White one 6mths ago with 13k on the clock. Showroom condition, fully loaded, 20 Inch Alloys, Sat nav, Heated Seats, Heated Steering Wheel, Folding Wing Mirrors, Lane Departure Warning, Automatic Road Sign Recognition, Infinity Sound System, and much more. The previous owner went all out and fitted every optional extra available. And I got to say, I love what I can only describe as the Darth Vada type sound you get when you really give it the beans... Coming from a N/A Type R EP3 & FN2 background, I never thought I'd look at a Vauxhall, but I can't fault it as 'Yet'.... I do miss my revs and the reliability from my past motor's. I only hope that I haven't jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire with this one.. My only criticism is the MPG, I average about 19mpg, 23mpg if I drive it like my granny. It should come with a Petrol Station attached, because if you ever buy a GTC VXR and you use the VXR button, the Petrol Station WILL be your second home....Lol

[@oldskooldreamso.s.d7440]

I don’t have the Astra but I have the Corsa e vxr and owned 6 years from new. Modded it a fair amount and with good care never once skipped a single beat. Good fun cars looked after correct.

[@thomas4776]

I wish this car was available in America. It is very stylish and fast. Good review!

[@technohow6494]

These guys review like a bunch of stale pensioners!!!

[@jwester7009]

+Carlo K Exactly... and apparently they have the same humor as a bunch of stale pensioners.

[@TarmanYoloSwag]

They nearly are pensioners

[@leonidaspiperis2092]

I’ve just bought one like this one and I LOVE IT !!!

[@petersothern2909]

have you had any problems?

[@leonidaspiperis2092]

@@petersothern2909 till now nothing! it works nicely 👌

[@Nino-hw2to]

Im jealous. I can maybe afford buying one but the maintenance Will be the struggle... maybe soon!

[@jackytwickx5330]

In GB it's Vauxhall, in the rest of Europe Opel, and in Australia Holden. Chevrolet in America, it's all General Motors

[@Dantotherivertosilenceme]

Jacky Twickx Opel went to shit after joining GM.

[@sonicgrunt1931]

Dan O ffs it's the same

[@silkywelshman1999]

Used to be called Saturn in the USA didn't it?

[@Zero_Ninety]

Dan GM bought Opel in 1929...

[@johnpatrick9574]

Frogs own it now.

[@BenzinioB]

I've always envy Jonny - it should be massive fun to work with Tiff, JP and Vicki!!!

[@markymark-r]

I love Plato trying to give advice on driving a fast Astra when he couldn’t drive one fast in the touring cars at the weekend just gone!

[@Sebbe40]

It does look brilliant.

[@perryvaggelas4397]

I am going to buy one of these GTC, the best looking car GM has ever built

[@arjanopc]

I love my astra it,s great fun.

[@yo32ride]

Best looking hot hatch imo

[@glennbrown7241]

In Australia it is sold as an Opel Astra OPC.

[@v_savvas]

You mean Holden Astra vxr

[@blackcarmafia]

+Vagelis Gameplays or he meant Austria :P

[@Cruze_EC]

Βαγγέλης Σάββας Opel was temporarily in Australia for a few years, as at this time Holden had the Cruze.

[@garrettgarreton1662]

HSV VXR in Australia (Holden Special Vehicles) name for Opel Astra H OPC in Europe and LatAmerica. Vauxhall Astra H VXR in UK, previous generation.

[@gamingmadforever6363]

Will always ❤ this car

[@shaned1500]

Looks great

[@Nanorisk]

@2:28 "Hot hatches are all about putting big performance into the hands of everyday drivers, and so in our test, we used an everyday driver."

[@nastyscorp]

God this is one heck of a car.

[@FPsGameFreak]

It looks nice

[@Paul-mq5yn]

I saw one for sale in Invercargill. Great looking car

[@gwynmaverickjames6098]

Looks good to me I’ll have one soon in red,at the end of the day it’s there opinion,but as an individual if you like it job done simples

[@pug306dturbo100]

Got a 2015 model in black.so far engine blew at 27.800.and recently the second cat has gone duff.but it looks good with a few carbin fiber bits to replace the chrome

[@dar1020]

fik....! you are not the first one that says that@ fkn unbelievable those major engine failures !😡

[@rossdev]

Super looking motor, the new Astra is just pants in comparison. I have a diesel GTC with the OPC pack, only thing missing is the grunty engine and fancy seats 😂

[@KHGuitarFreak1988]

It's Holden in Australia...

[@garrettgarreton1662]

Astra J OPC over vw gti everytime!! After an accident with my ex GTI 200hp lose control after trying avoid hitting a large stone at a bend in the road (no drugs, no alcohol, even when i was super rigurous about its maintenance). i've never felt gti plenty estable and gripping as the Astra when cornering and weaving. It's a proper 'budge' hothatch for most of entusiast drivers in this kind of vids. About sat. nav. Infotainment and thing like that, i think a good one smartphone is the best solution!

[@agostinocangelli]

Love this car

[@jo23bulls]

Should be interesting to see this engine in the Camaro.

[@danmuzicman01]

GM needs to bring this over as the new Nova.

[@Nanorisk]

Not really, it's called Holden in Australia.

[@1066gaz]

I nearly bought one but the wide rear arches put me off. It would scrape the arches if i tried to put it in the garage i reckon.

[@friendlyhorseuk7220]

True, its wide and visibility out the back isn't the best. The doors are really wide and massive as well so even if you got it in your garage without scraping it, you'd probably struggle to open the door wide enough to get out. Greetings to you in the Hastings area.

[@jakeh422]

“Two hands on the wheel for goodness sake”. 😂😂😂

[@beastyboyBlue]

I agree with the driver you don't realise how fast you are going! I love mine,it's not really designed for back seat passengers!

[@chrisdooley6468]

I remember reading about these in Evo magazine back in the day. Didn’t these come with a turbo 2.8 V6 at one point? I am perhaps thinking about another VXR

[@jasonboyle7203]

You are thinking of another vxr, it was the insignia also long ago was a v6 vectra Sri

[@edgimson5706]

And the Vectra .they both nicked the engine from Saab.

[@chrisdooley6468]

@@jasonboyle7203 no small VXR came with that V6? I remember the four door versions but I swear before the turbo inline 4 there was a V6 turbo but I am going back a lot of years

[@jasonboyle7203]

@@chrisdooley6468 yeh I ken ma grammar ain't so hot hahaha have edited comment

[@garchie5150]

Budget Top Gear test team, VBH annoyed the most!

[@FleetAdmiral215]

Johnny Smith, Jason Plato , Tiff Nedell & Vicki BH Best line for 5th Gear

[@jackmill6301]

Even the diesel ones a good fun to drive

[@DPFitness86]

Sorry it's missing VW badge😒 I love my vxr it's so much fun great car and the noise is amazing it's A 2.0t FFS

[@Nanorisk]

FYI, it has some grunt; it has some decent interior; it is fun for normal people; it is not mighty expensive.

[@rockingmaniac1808]

Dream car, only got the astra H OPC/VXR... :(

[@iantownsend5480]

Great looking car better in blue tho

[@richsamuelson6962]

Quite fancy the white one. Can get them about 10k these days too :)

[@petercavellini3232]

Here’s a conundrum, who makes all the Steering Wheels and gear Knobs....?, I only ask because nearly all look made the same way the same material.?!🤔

[@bananamontana3956]

Humans

[@therub2191]

My one of these arrives in 3 days :)

[@richsamuelson6962]

How was it ?

[@johnjackson12]

You can buy a 3 year old one for half price! If you spent £27k on one of these you must be mad!! But im pleased because now theres a few cheap 2nd hand ones for me to buy.

[@stephenkoh6854]

john jackson bought a 2015 VXR with 11000 km in Australia back in 2016 at 28000 AUD, which was a massive 40% loss in value within the first year (new at 46000AUD) I thought I picked up a bargain, but 2 years and 12000 km later... I am now struggling to sell it at 18000 AUD..... the resale value is just nut......

[@fredrikalmqvist6700]

And now Plato drives one in BTCC 🙂

[@petercavellini3232]

It's only meant for two people!, so the big chairs in the front are fine, how many VXR's do you ever see four up?🤔

[@richsamuelson6962]

Plenty space in the rear

[@sstevensuperbike9964]

Had a Astra H VXR looks loads better than this new family car vxr !!! Fastest car I’ve had

[@avro206]

sigh GM has no hot hatch in North America......

[@N0cturnel]

Mike Buenting sonic rs

[@avro206]

super lame. If it had 170 plus HP maybe

[@StephenButlerOne]

+Mike Buenting it has 280bhp, I have the 165bhp no vrx version. Handles great and has enough poke for UK roads. It suffers with horrendous turning circle, and lots of bad visibility at evey corner of the car. Parking sensors are a must. Small 55l fuel tank, won't do much more than 400 miles. But the chassis is brilliant and divers superbly.

[@StephenButlerOne]

+Mike Buenting it has 280bhp, I have the 165bhp no vrx version. A Handles great and has enough poke for UK roads. It suffers with horrendous turning circle, and lots of bad visibility at evey corner of the car. Parking sensors are a must. Small 55l fuel tank, won't do much more than 400 miles. But the chassis is brilliant and divers superbly.

[@colinmason92]

Mike Buenting 280bhp

[@gumpy4960]

Thought it was a good review, the interior isn’t that nice, the seats are too big and it doesn’t sound great. It’s also not the best handling hot hatch nor the fastest so I thought they gave it a fair score.

[@johnny6476]

Gumpy 49 That’s your opinion, I would love one of these. What would you class as the best hot hatch?

[@DaveyuKay]

How long has Jonny worked with these 3? How has he not spend HOURS learning from them and getting them to teach him?? I would be bugging them on a daily basis to teach me!

[@motorsportweekly6734]

I think it's because he's suppose to be a normal driver without any race training to try and show it from an average guys view

[@kylio85]

Johnny is the nicest

[@johnpatrick9574]

a 2.2 engine rebored with turbo fitted

[@MrWindmad]

So why don't the experts drive to tell us how it goes??! I swear I can't believe it...

[@andylie7699]

If it comes to the US i think it will be sold as a Buick

[@sonicgrunt1931]

The Andy oh a shitty saturn what ever you call then lol

[@Laurynas_S]

it weird that Opel called Vauxhall

[@Neptune8]

why does Europe get all the best cars..hot hatch options suck here in America. if I ever visit the UK I need to test drive these cars

[@DomBounty]

The main reason we have hot hatches in the UK is due to our insane fuel costs, currently in the UK it costs roughly £1.4 ($1.75) per litre of petrol, where as in the states it'll cost you roughly £0.76 ($0.95) per litre. Therefore reducing the demand for small engines in the states. (in the UK it is near un-heard of to have a 7.3 litre vehicle due to the insane running costs)

[@gabrielcaramet3238]

You get your challengers chargers camaro end f150 end i want theme but no sold in euro

[@pernesvictor708]

Are they actually reviewing cars? Just asking.

[@markkieboy95]

It's so weird that Vauxhall is called Opel in the rest of the world haha :p

[@MyerShift7]

Or is it weird Opel is called Vauxhall in Great Britain only?

[@2626stephen]

back seat drivers ..... i had its big brother !!!! VECTRA VXR and was it fast and quick shame it had to go .

[@James-kb5mx]

Worst understeer going

[@avo420turbo]

bring to usa!!!!

[@xcyanidegamerx4402]

Right so all they did was steal the Opel Astra OPC Turbo sport (only a few hundred were made and i have one its not being made anymore) made it 2 doors with a fancy wing placed the steering on the other side and call it a new car? cmon

[@FAT8893]

Vauxhall is for the British. They are just the same car really.

[@xcyanidegamerx4402]

@@FAT8893 Yeah no not at all... the Opel Astra OPC Turbo Sport was a limited edition since only a few hundred were made Like i said.

[@tomcole020]

I really like this Astra but it isn't worth 30 grand for that price you can get a 2015 Ford Mustang in the uk

[@blackcarmafia]

+Thomas Cole and GTI is or a RS?

[@chrthm27]

Yes, but even with a massive mustang engine, you can barely beat the astra :/

[@Sebastian.Abrudan]

this is more subjective than Jeremy Clarkson, at launch it was the best hot hatch that you can buy

[@vxr]

Join the Astra J VXR owners club. We attend all major UK shows. Biggest J VXR meets in the 🌎

[@nxgn_danzodannyfelix3427]

2013 Fifth Gear

[@TylerGrainger-oz8xh]

Rather have a Focus rs

[@silkywelshman1999]

Head gasket blows on them after like 2 miles

[@paulbennett6379]

Handles like it's on rails wet bald tyre's no difference brilliant

[@lukem4580]

Hahahahaha, next joke..

[@letsrockza]

i score 10!!

[@JonathanSmith87]

Hot hatches have got so expensive.

[@TheFcosta66]

A VIDEO review can be much more than that. Everybody knows that it has some grunt. It's a VXR. Of course it has some decent interior. It is a vauxhall. It's not an american or chinese car. And "it is fun for normal people". Yeah, normal people will buy an astra vxr. Sure. Normal people (not car fanatics) don't watch fifth gear. And it is a little expensive, at least for me (middle class).

[@nxgn_danzodannyfelix3427]

Astra VXR (1315)

[@69bock69]

in 2019 there getting cheap. bit of a bargain

[@letsrockza]

old due; a youngster would give the noise at the back a 10!!!

[@letsrockza]

please dont refer to people as "old" its very offensive.

[@jokerash]

2020 - im gonna buy this OPC . not VW TFSI junks that are drinking oil like fuel.

[@unconvincingrebel]

its nice but imagine spending 26 thousand on an astra

[@Neptune8]

imagine spending 38k on an impreza

[@Neptune8]

imagine spending 38k on an impreza

[@treytroy190]

Kcuf elgoog tell me about it

[@MrRohanThomas]

Well 26k isn't too bad

[@poorfordtransitowner1627]

Vikki needs stop them tanning jabs

[@markkieboy95]

Or that... :p

[@ToyotaGT1Racer]

8.5 I see that is your .

[@JackVXR]

not everyone can afford a ferrari

[@Alteriukas]

awful review. Bunch of complaining childrens in the car.

[@davidfoster1762]

I just couldn’t live with how awful the instruments look. External looks are top notch though

[@beckybarnes4651]

Mk5 vxr looks much better!

[@treytroy190]

26k for a Vauxhall? Are you kidding me

[@dconcars]

Low mileage used ones now 12-16k fully spec'd out

[@gabrielcaramet3238]

35k for a golf no way

[@kinglekoproductions7519]

Sweg

[@UltimateWarrior206]

It makes a noise... so 7. WTF. Can't take this programme serious 🤣

[@seanadamson280]

Needell you plonker 😮

[@x58evo2puma7]

It's not the fastest car now now focus rs boosting 350hp a lot better car

[@martinslav.8089]

the focus is 4wd...

[@keysersoze2313]

wayne allan This isn't marketed against AWD hot hatches. 🤣

[@johnny6476]

Pumaspeed X47 it also £35,000.

[@zackaboy1236]

Why is the woman so grumpy

[@F1Kamel_1992]

Because she dislikes the car's styling

[@TheFcosta66]

Can't get anything from this review. Anything. Please, make better reviews. You can do it!

[@elaxel1469]

This car is a big heavy fat-ass cow. The slowest of hot-hatches

[@tomforrest7814]

+Moreira Da Lima The slowest? its the fastest Hot Hatch if you dont take into consideration the £50,000 german hot hatches which are ugly and rediculous, This VXR leaves an ST for dead and takes a Megane RS at the same time

[@MrRohanThomas]

Lol you actually called the Astras slow

[@694069406940]

fu(king ugliest looking Astra ever made (fact) the wheels just look way to big for it and it's tennis ball cut in half not my style for a Astra

[@tuemose22]

i get viki here, it is one of the most. fuking ugly cars ever made, its sad opel makes shit cars like this

[@tuemose22]

@Sink who wrote anything, about it was better?? are you drunk

[@ben3291]

its a Vauxhall so its poo buy a focus ST or Seat Leon Cupra 280 or Renault Megane Sport.

[@blackcarmafia]

We got a PUB-REPORTER here guys

[@silkywelshman1999]

Ben Garlick The Renault would break down after driving 6ft

[@Kofi_Mensahs_BurnerAccount]

A Leon that drinks engine oil in 2 weeks? Nah you're alright.

[@sonicgrunt1931]

Ben Garlick what you got lol

[@Kofi_Mensahs_BurnerAccount]

He drives a Prius, leave the poor fella alone haha

[@brindlek9530]

Just a shame it's a Vauxhall!