Vauxhall Astra 1.7 CDTi Exclusiv 5-door | Expert Road Test Review

“In all areas the new Astra is much
better than the outgoing one.
Best of the bunch is the 1.7 CDTi
that’s good for 55mpg in the
real world...”

PRIOR TO ITS OFFICIAL ON-SALE DATE, I've written about the new Vauxhall Astra models and tried most of the eight engine options and just last week I had the chance for a final drive in what I think is the most suitable engine currently on offer. Most suitable — not for out-and-out performance but for everyday use on our traffic congested roads; for fuel economy bearing in mind the continuing rise in fuel prices. It's also the most pleasant and easy-to-drive engine on offer.

This is the 1.7-litre CDTi 108bhp turbodiesel unit which officially returns 60.1mpg in the combined cycle with 120g/km of CO2 emissions giving a Ł120 annual road tax bill and a Benefit in Kind company car tax bill of 18%.

The price of this Astra with the most popular Exclusiv trim is Ł18,015, which looks expensive against the new Kia Cee'd 1.6 CRDi five-door hatch that costs Ł15,495.

This 1.7 CDTi 108bhp Astra model makes most sense for high mileage business users — over 60% of Astra users come from that sector of the market. Retail buyers and low mileage drivers generally opt for the 1.6-litre 113bhp petrol engine with the Exclusiv level of equipment (priced at Ł16,650) and its performance is good enough for most people. When I drove one of these it returned 32.1mpg although a longer run a few weeks earlier suggested 36.2mpg was easily achievable.

Some users will be attracted by the lowest purchase price and will go for the 1.4-litre petrol unit with the option of 86bhp or 99bhp power outputs and prices from Ł15,675 and Ł16,010 respectively. In my view these provide too little power to make the 1.4 Astra a happy ownership experience.

Others — fun-loving buyers — will go for the new 138bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine which is impressive, with prices starting at Ł17,290. It needs to be worked hard to get the best from it but for mid-range pull, overall flexibility and fuel economy, it couldn't match the 1.7 diesel 108bhp unit which can return 60.1mpg on average — 54.7mpg on my test drive.

Although this diesel unit runs out of puff near the top of the rev range, it was the 191lb ft of torque from 1,800rpm which impressed me most. It produces the right response exactly where it is needed — mid-range — and without having to constantly change down a gear to get into the optimum area of the powerband. Having a six-speed gearbox means that motorway cruising is effortless and relatively quiet.

There are also 1.6-litre non-turbocharged and turbocharged petrol units and 123bhp 1.7 CDTi and 158bhp 2.0 CDTi turbodiesel units plus a 1.3 CDTi (94bhp) ecoFlex 109g/km diesel engine on its way next Spring.

Overall, because of the purchase price, fuel economy potential and the general eager-to-please and responsive engine, my choice remains the 1.7 CDTi 108bhp diesel unit.

“Ride comfort has been
significantly improved
as has handling
because the suspension
was tuned in the UK
for our roads...”

The new Astra will still continue to compete for sales against the Ford Focus (probably still the best handling car in this sector) and the new VW Golf, which I think offers the best overall purchase for brand desirability, ride comfort, build quality and overall refinement.

Of course, we have to consider the recently revised Kia Cee'd which is certainly the best in this class for overall value and warranty cover and the performance is certainly not shabby either. Those are my lower-medium sector Top Four and they could be placed in any order depending on the customer's preferences.

The new Astra is a 'chip-of-the-old block'; think Insignia, then think a down-sized version. The styling is similar inside and out, the extra quality over the outgoing Astra is most noticeable and the new model offers considerably more passenger space than the old one because it is longer. Ride comfort has been significantly improved as has handling because the suspension was tuned in the UK for our roads. And another bonus: road noise intrusion is low.

Not so impressive is steering that could be described as vague at times, wind noise intrusion from the door mirrors, the front A-pillars are thick so the visibility is not brilliant, the rear tailgate window also limits rear quarter vision and the switch-operated electronic parking brake (on some versions) is fiddly to use.

Major plusses include the sharp new styling, classy interior, great quality, roomy and comfortable cabin and the fact that it's nice to live with.

All new Astra models (S, Exclusiv, SRi, SE and Elite) as standard have electronic stability control, six airbags, air conditioning, daytime running lights and electric windows, 60:40 split folding rear seats and a reach-and-rake adjustable steering wheel.

The best selling Exclusiv specification adds chrome detailing for the interior trim, upgraded cloth upholstery, ambient interior lighting, cruise control and sound system buttons incorporated in the steering wheel. Unfortunately, this specification still has 16-inch steel wheels with covers and four 17-inch alloys will add Ł300 to the price of the car.

In all areas the new Astra is much better than the outgoing one and like the Insignia, it should soon be attracting new customers to the improving Vauxhall brand. — David Miles

home | top of page | all car reviews