Vauxhall Astra GTC SRi 2.0 CDTi 16v Start/Stop 3dr Car Review - March 2012

The car delivers a more than decent power output of 163 bhp at 400 rpm with torque figures of 258 lb-ft at 1750-2500 rpm, giving it an impressive top speed of 131 mph. Fuel efficiency is improved from the smaller petrol models, achieving 58.9 mpg on a combined cycle whilst green credentials are marginally lower at 129 g/km, pushing this model into a lower tax band (D) when compared to the petrol models.

The car benefits from a stylish exterior which lends itself well to the sporty image of the car but unfortunately the interior does not follow suit where the use of cheap materials impairs the overall appearance.

In-car equipment levels are fairly high and there are plenty of standard features for buyers to enjoy. However, most of these specifications are the same as in the GTC Sport with both models offering power steering, central locking, stability control, alloy wheels, air conditioning, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, cruise control and an advanced stereo system with CD and MP3 compatibility as standard features.

Additional extras such as Bluetooth connectivity, a built-in sat nav, rear parking sensors and climate control are also available for an additional cost. The car can also be upgraded to a metallic paint finish on the exterior for £495. The only cosmetic difference between this model and the GTC Sport 1.4 is the option to have leather seats which becomes available in the SRi at a cost of £1,050.

With only marginal improvements to other areas of the car this means the higher purchase price of this model is largely unjustified when compared to the smaller petrol versions.

Steering is responsive and balanced and this makes driving both comfortable and reliable. The car fails to match the Renault Megane Coupe for feel but still makes an admirable effort at providing high levels of control and grip on the road.

In terms of practicality, there is plenty of space within the vehicle for passengers with the rear seats surprisingly spacious. Numerous storage spaces are available within the cabin as well and combine with a decent boot capacity to offer buyers the best possible features. Boot space with the seats up totals 380 litres, expanding to 1,165 litres when the rear seats are folded down.

As a three door model, access to the backseats can be a little restricted which can cause some minor inconveniences to adult passengers. However, on the whole, space is used well and this means even long journeys are likely to be comfortable.

In terms of safety, the car comes fitted with driver, passenger and front side airbags all as standard. On top of this an immobiliser and alarm are also fitted to deter thieves and the car comes with a 100,000 mile warranty. A service interval of 20,000 miles is recommended and reliability is expected to be high due to improvements made by the manufacturer.

Priced at £22,430 this model is not the cheapest on the market - the Renault Megane Coupe is cheaper and offers better handling. This model is substantially dearer than the petrol models but efficiency is improved and could prove a tempting factor for buyers.

However, whilst fuel efficiency is improved and road tax falls under a cheaper tax band (D), insurance premiums are higher – falling under insurance group 20. This means the benefits of this model over the petrol models are not as clear as might be expected.

The Vauxhall Astra GTC SRi 2.0 CDTi 16v Start/Stop 3dr also suffers from high levels of depreciation and that means investing in this model could be a risk, especially if buyers are only looking for short term ownership.