Vauxhall released the Astra under the impression it was in the same league as the Insignia. But measuring up to a former European Car of the Year takes more than packing in integrity, performance, and quality in a compact car. On the outset, the Astra offers a confusing range of choices: from six-petrol engines, four diesels, to trim levels that cover both cut-price retail promos and fleet buyers, we’re not exactly sure where the Astra is going with its image.

Pros 

Compared to the previous generation, the latest Astra is much larger and is even bigger than its competitors. The wheelbase is longer at 1.5 metres. The steep price tag is primarily found in the length of the metal parts. The latest generation also makes other marked improvements: it evolves from dull lines and into a cleaner yet sculpted look that is derived from the Insignia. Rear styling carries on the sculpting the car successfully pulls off. The design also boasts of prime function: the engine is found so low in the car so that weight is distributed and that pedestrians are assured safety.

The Astra boasts of smooth standard suspension and the Sri models’ sports suspension provides enhanced body control and enough comfort. The ride is also quite refined even on a bumpy road. Road noise is kept at a minimum, but wind noise does increase when going at increased speeds. There’s also a slight distraction from the pedals’ vibrations.

Cons

Although the Astra provides smoothness on the standard suspension and grip on the bends, competitors still boast off better sharpness while driving. There’s a Flexride adaptive suspension option that improves certain modes, but it still doesn’t enhance the Astra’s ride significantly.

The interior does sport a beautiful dashboard, but it lacks in achieving proper functions. Switches are scattered about and are difficult to find. Drivers will have to get used to the control’s layout before getting the hang of it. And even with its large size, the fastback roofline still doesn’t achieve enough room for the boot.

The Astra’s Sri six-speed gearbox comes as a standard. Be warned that there have been complains about the lever and the clutch progression. Ratios are also not as impressive and even questionable. Fifth and sixth gears require overdrive, and also demand an overtake that doesn’t measure up to the real-world performance the Astra promises. The 1.4 petrol’s 86bhp is way too small for this car’s large size; stretch the power any further and you’ll have to maintain high revs. The 1.6-litre is equally unimpressive, with its sluggish engine performance and 60mph done at a slow mark of 10.9 seconds. Another engine that fails in keeping up is the 1.3 CDTI turbodiesel motor, which slugs through traffic by making you go over 2500rpm to maintain the right speed. The 2.0 CDTi also joins the engines’ unimpressive ranks with its noise at low speeds and diesel clatter. You can only expect the quiet to start at about the fifth or sixth gears, but only on motorway speeds.

                Vauxhall Astra was created by the British automobile manufacturer, Vauxhall Motors or General Motors UK Limited, since the year 1979. This is classed as a small family car that was designed as a successor of the Vauxhall Viva and Vauxhall Chevette, which is a small family car and a supermini, respectively.

                The first generation Astra was produced in the years 1979 until 1984, and replaced the Vauxhall Viva in the United Kingdom market. This was available as a hatchback, estate, and a saloon, and it has been recognized as the Car of the Year in 1980 by the What Car? magazine. This was produced in Bochum, and its main competitor at that period was the Volkswagen Golf. The next generation covers the period 1984 until 1991, and is also known as the Mark 2 Astra. This version was launched in October 1984 and was available as a hatchback, estate, cabriolet, and saloon. The second generation Astra has been known as the European Car of the Year in 1985.

                In 1991, the third generation Astra or Mark 3 was launched. Aside from the United Kingdom, this was also manufactured in Australasia, and it has several available trim levels and special edition badging. The Mark 4 Astra came in the year 1998, which received a four star rating from the European New Car Assessment Programme. In 2004, the fifth generation Astra was presented as a five door hatchback, and several variants of the car were also made available.

                The current version of the Vauxhall Astra is the Vauxhall Astra I/J, which was assembled in Ellesmere Port. This was displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009, and the Sports Tourer, its Estate version, was shown at the Paris Motor Show in 2010. Reports were released that the next generation can be expected by the year 2015.