15 Feb 05
Still, there are niggles. The steering could do with a touch more involvement - it's quick and precise, particularly in Sports mode, but despite weighting up nicely through corners, it feels a little numb when everything else about the car feels alert. Rearward visibility is, unsurprisingly, poor and some may find the throttle response in Sports mode a little too aggressive.
In isolation the Astra is a fine car - head-turning, dynamic, affordable and spacious. It's also a fine thing to look at. Only Citroen's intriguing three-door C4 challenges the Astra's visual credentials, but it's nowhere near as good to drive.
This is a great car. No matter what the journey - whether it's a long motorway haul, a quick and fast back-road blast or a slog through rush-hour traffic, the Sport Hatch impresses because it's as good to drive as it is to look at. Vauxhall reckons it's going to clean up with the Sport Hatch and I wouldn't bet against it.
