Read the full 4Car Road Test
NB: Be advised, this model is the 1998-2004 Astra, not the current version.
2002 Top Ten position
All UK car sales: 3
Fleet car sales: 2
Small Family Car
Introduced: 1998, new model due 2004
Bodystyles: Three- and five-door hatchbacks, four-door saloon, estate, coupé, convertible plus Zafira seven-seat MPV.
Price band: £10,395-£19,995
NCAP crash test rating: 4
The Astra is...
not the most fashionable or cutting-edge car in its class, but a good honest performer that still stands its own against newer rivals. It's a lot more entertaining to drive than you'd think, with good sharp handling, suspension tuned by Lotus and strong, torquey engines, and it has a definite solid Germanic feel to it. It comes in a wide variety of bodystyles, and the engines range from the uninspired 1.4 (90bhp) right up to the 2.0 GSI Turbo - this 200bhp hatchback model is a credible rival to the Focus RS and Civic Type-R, if you like your hot hatches to be lairy-looking all-rounders. On a more practical note, the first diesel engine in the UK to meet the upcoming Euro 4 emissions regulations (and thus qualify for a tax break) will be available in the spring, and in the meantime, there's the economical but unrefined 1.7 DTi or the Dualfuel (LPG-petrol) versions of the 1.6 and 1.8. It's a shame the Astra looks so dull, but the all-new model, which arrived late 2003, is more boldly styled.
For
Handling, good ride, solid feel, cheap to run.
Against
Dull, dated cabins, some stingy standard specifications, new model coming soon.
Sum up
The Astra is a sensible choice and really quite good fun as well.
Engines, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions
Petrol:1.4i 16v (90bhp): 39.2mpg, 173g/km
1.6i 16v (100bhp): 36.7mpg, 171g/km
1.8i 16v (125bhp): 32.8mpg, 190g/km
2.0 Turbo (192bhp): 31.7mpg, 214g/km
2.0 GSI Turbo (200bhp): 31.7mpg, 214g/km
2.2i 16v (147bhp): 33.2mpg, 202g/km
Diesels:1.7 DTi (75bhp): 58.9mpg, 130g/km
2.0 DTi (100bhp): 49.6mpg, 154g/km
1.6 CDTi diesel (80bhp, to be launched spring 2003): 61.4mpg, CO2 n/a; ECO version 64.2mpg
Spec rundown
The most basic model is the 1.6i Expression hatchback, with driver and passenger airbags, central locking, electric windows, a radio/cassette and a split/folding rear seat; Envoy trim is pretty similar but is offered with a wider variety of engines and bodystyles. Club trim adds air conditioning, but still no standard ABS brakes, and LS versions have a CD player as well. SXi and SRi models have a sportier feel, with alloy wheels and ABS, and are offered in three-door form. Elegance versions and the GSI have side airbags, cruise control and the options of satellite navigation and leather seats. The Coupé and Cabriolet come in just one standard specification, with air con, ABS, alloys and a CD player; there are also limited-run special edition models, such as the Bertone, with extra kit and/or special trim.
Market info
Current offers include 0 percent finance or a year's free insurance on selected models, and watch out for special edition versions with higher specifications. Discounts and price cuts are likely as this range reaches obsolescence and dealers want to clear their forecourts for the new model, but it's worth bargaining hard now. There are plenty around at good savings from list price at independent retailers and car supermarkets, which means that residual (resale) values are poor for the hatchbacks. Coupé, Cabriolet and the sportier models hold their value better, and the new GSi should be particularly sought-after secondhand.
