Insurance Group: 18
MPG: 41.5
CO2: 159
0-62 Mph: N/A secs
BHP: 138 BHP
Range: 475 miles
PROS: Performance credentials are good for a family car and there is lots of style and enjoyment thrown into the deal as well.
CONS: Carbon emissions are high and fuel consumption is only mediocre.
The car boasts a top speed of 130 mph which is more than enough for average family needs. This means that the car is able to perform well both inside and outside of the city, taking motorway driving in its stride. The engine is also well refined and this means noise disturbance within the cabin is limited.
The four cylinder engine delivers a maximum power output of 138 bhp with 129 lb-ft of torque. This gives the car a decent amount of power for a family car and the handling is responsive and firm in order to control it. Steering, on the whole, is sharp and there is not much roll or loss of control when taking corners.
Standard equipment for the Astra includes power steering, central locking, stability control, alloy wheels, air conditioning (which can be upgraded to climate control for an additional £305), electric door mirrors, electric front windows and a stereo system with CD player. This can be upgraded to include MP3 connectivity which is available as a joint option with a built-in sat nav for £1,280.
Bluetooth connectivity can be added for £315 whilst rear parking sensors, cruise control, a metallic paint finish and a luxurious leather interior are priced at £385, £220, £495 and £1,065 respectively.
The external appearance of the Astra is stylish. There are plenty of distinctive features for buyers to enjoy and the interior comfort levels are also high.
The model scored well in the NCAP crash tests, achieving five out of five for occupant safety and four out of five for child safety. These results are partly due to the wide range of safety features which are included as standard on this model. This includes driver, passenger and front side airbags as well as a fitted alarm and immobiliser designed to protect the car from theft.
To reassure customers over the reliability of their model the car also comes with a warranty for 100,000 miles with a service recommended every 20,000 miles.
Room within the car is more than ample for passengers and drivers and there is plenty of room within the rear seats. This is combined with a quiet engine to provide a comfortable drive. There are plenty of storage spaces within the car and the boot boasts a more than practical capacity of 312 litres with the seats up and 1,070 litres with the seats folded down.
Priced at £21,645 the Astra can seem a little expensive for the average family. The fact that the large price comes without all modern luxuries added as standard is another drawback and those choosing a more budget car are sure to find something with all these features for a much lower price.
That being said, the running costs of the Astra are not extortionate with a fairly average fuel consumption level of 41.5 mpg allowing drivers to get more for their money when it comes to refuelling. On top of this, insurance premiums fall under insurance group 18 which means they are fairly reasonable. Road tax is the only real bone of contention for drivers with the high performance engine delivering poor green credentials with carbon emissions of 159g/km and substantial road tax costs under tax band G.
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