Category: Hot Hatchbacks 
Price Range: £15,405 to £22,000
Good performance, smooth engines, comfortable over distance
Not the most engaging hot hatches, indifferent residual values
Surprisingly good hot-hatch serves up good performance, if not outright thrills
For fairly sporting cars, the ride of these Astra hot hatches is actually pretty good - the SRi being marginally better than the GSi. Noise levels are low; there's little road, wind or engine flutter, so they're pretty relaxing to drive. Perhaps that's why, in part, these models are sometimes overlooked - they're not outwardly exciting like some rivals.
The driving position is reasonable and the seats remain firm and comfortable over distance. We spent 5.5 hours in a limited edition SRi Turbo in snowy conditions in February 2003 and emerged without serious ache.
The Astra is quite a spacious hatch. In the front there are no issues, and the boot is quite big as well, with a 60:40 split rear seat and ski-hatch helping matters. Access to the rear seats in the three-door is a little restricted but once inside, space is reasonable for a car in this class. If you're likely to carry four adults regularly or struggle in and out with a child-seat or two, it's worth checking access for yourself at the dealership.
The RDS radio has a good reception and the unit is very easy to operate. There is a simple display atop the dashboard, and supplementary controls on the steering wheel; sound quality is quite good. Satellite navigation is optional at around a thousand pounds.
The SRi isn't available as an estate, and the GSi comes as a three-door only.
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