Vauxhall Astra - ASTRA-NOMICAL?
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- Опубликовано: 24 янв 2020
- BUY, LEASE OR FINANCE A VAUXHALL ASTRA FROM OSV: bit.ly/37GMRCE
Vauxhall has rejuvenated its MK7 model Astra family hatch. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.
Ten Second Review
Vauxhall has delivered us a smarter, cleverer and more efficient version of its British-built seventh generation Astra. A fresh range of three cylinder petrol and diesel engines bring the oily bits up to date and make a big difference to running costs. Plus safety now meets today's higher class standards and you can specify extra high-end luxury features you couldn't have had before. In short, this Astra's now worth a second look.
Background
Despite Vauxhall's best efforts over more than three decades and six different generations, their Astra has rarely been the family hatchback its drivers would ideally have chosen to own. Not because it's ever been a bad car: just never a class-leading one. The kind of model you bought because it was good value. Or more likely, because you were given the keys by your company Fleet Manager. This seventh generation version was tasked to do better - and the signs are that in this face-lifted guise, it just might.
As you may expect, it's smarter-looking, but more importantly, it's significantly more efficient than before thanks to a range of fresh 3 cylinder petrol and diesel engines; the most frugal diesel can eke nearly 65 miles out of a gallon of DERV on the now much-stricter WLTP official test. And even the petrols can get around 50mpg. It still drives well too.
Driving Experience
The key changes here lie beneath the bonnet. Previously, there was just a single 3 cylinder engine in the range. Now the old units have gone and the line-up is built around this format. There are two fresh petrol units, a 1.2 developing either 110, 130 or 145PS and mated to 6-speed manual transmission. And a 1.4 putting out 145PS which has to be had with a new 7-speed CVT auto 'box. All the engines develop reasonable pulling power, with outputs ranging between 195 and 236Nm. Vauxhall's particularly pleased with throttle response with these engines, claiming that 90% of their pulling power is available within 1.5 seconds of pressing the accelerator.
Design and Build
You'd struggle to recognise this facelifted model as being different from earlier versions of the MK7 Astra design. The only visual changes lie with small tweaks to upper and lower sections of the front grille, these apparently contributing to a more aerodynamic profile. As before, buyers choose between the standard five-door hatch body shape, or a five-door Sports Tourer estate variant. Fortunately, the exterior lines of the silhouette are wearing well. A nice touch is the 'floating' roof, an effect created by a dark trim on the C-pillar and highlighted by a chrome strip that runs the length of the roof.
Market and Model
Prices aren't very different from before, starting from just under £19,000 and range up to around £28,000 across the range of hatches and estates spread across the usual wide range of trim options. Vauxhall wants to emphasise that safety standards have taken a decent step forward with this facelift, courtesy of the installation of a new digital front camera, which is both smaller and more powerful than before thanks to a faster processor. It now not only recognises vehicles, but also pedestrians, greatly improving safety.
Cost of Ownership
Put simply, you're not going to find an Astra that's going to cost you a huge amount to run. Even the 1.4 petrol turbo returns up to 49.6mpg on the WLTP cycle and up to 132g/km of WLTP-rated CO2. For the two 1.2-litre units, the WLTP figures are up to 54.3mpg and up to 120g/km of CO2. The 1.5-litre CDTi diesels will manage much more. Both the manual black pump-fuelled models manage up to 64.2mpg and up to 117g/km. While the 122PS auto returns up to 57.6mpg and up to 130g/km.
Vauxhall reckons these figures are helped immeasurably by this Astra's slippery bodywork - it's the most aerodynamic car in its class with a sleek 0.26Cd.
Summary
In a family hatchback class stuffed with appealing options, it would be easy perhaps to overlook this seventh generation Astra - or at least to assume it to be an also-ran in this tightly-fought segment. You shouldn't do that - and it isn't. Especially now. The new engines bring this Vauxhall back to the forefront of the Focus segment and offer levels of efficiency that rivals struggle to beat. And your local dealer is likely to give you a very sharp deal too.
Assuming you get that, you'll also get yourself a car that feels quite up to the challenge posed by an army of efficient, plush and dynamically able rivals.
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Bought the Astra K last year, it was 3 years old when i bought it. Got the 1.6 CDTI 136HP engine + automatic transmission, big navi, heated seats and steering wheel and the very cool IntelliLux Matrix LED. It's been great for the whole year, no issues at all.
It drives well, it is comfortable and i got it very very cheap. A Golf or A3 with similar equipment would have cost me 5.000 - 10.000 Euros more. But then again, i got mine really really cheap at only 13.000€. They usually go around 15.000 - 16.000€ with that equipment, so i got lucky.
Bought the exact same model 2 weeks ago. 4 years old cost me £7000. Packed with equipment & drives lovely with the auto box. An equivalent high spec Golf, Focus or Leon would have cost me around £3000 more.
@@aceward5694 Getting it for 7k only is insane bargain, unless there were some issues you had to fix.
Maybe I'm a bit odd, but I really, really like how it looks. I don't know anything about the long-term reliability and economics of owning an Opel (they're not very popular here in Sweden), but visually I absolutely dig it.
I purchased new in January 2021 a Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer petrol with the 1.4 three cylinder engine with a cvt gearbox, in June last year I did a 240 mile round trip with the air con on and, I averaged 56 mpg, all in all a very good car but, the three cylinder engine is quite noisy when accelerating but is very quiet and smooth when cruising.
Thanks for sharing this Stephen 👍
Loving my 2017 gm biturbo 160 ps astra k elite :-) happy to see the newer version doesnt have anything that interests me, that said, loved the video, thanks for sharing your knowledge.
I particularly love the analogue gauges.
I liked the astra pre Facelifted version from 2015-2019. Looks great and clean looking. This facelift looks great at the front and bland interior and the gauges are from the insignia. There isn't even a hot hatch model yet for it. Anyway another great informative review and keep up the great content.
Back to your best, great vid
Thank you!!
The 1.4T 4 pot VX. Is a great drive.
Excellent review as always, Jonathan. Well done!
We aim to please 😀
Don't let people full you they get paid to talk s***
@@BobSmith-yu7ec full me?
I’d love a diesel automatic version of this as a Motability customer when I’m due to replace my perfect Seat Leon 1.6 tdi with dsg gearbox. Unfortunately, an astra-nomical advance payment has thus far been prohibitive. Generally this can equate to higher depreciation, so unfair of Motability to pass this cost on. If I’m able to afford one, I’ll look forward to fine driving dynamics that renowned driving coaches have been speaking of
Respect to you Jammy. Sad J has lost his life
I got a 21 plate Griffin edition and I love it. It looks smart and is a great drive. One thing, I have only driven a car with a manual handbrake, so I have to get used to an electronic parking brake.
Great to hear that you're enjoying your Astra 👍 How are you finding the electronic parking brake?
I have the previous Astra j with the 1.6 diesel which I find to be excellent probably because my previous car was A 3 cylinder vw 1.4 TDI polo now having the extra cylinder especially the diesel engine I wouldn’t go back to 3 again
Fantastic to hear you're enjoying your Vauxhall Astra Eddie
The estate version doesn't feature in the UK Vauxhall website.... Why is this?
Anyone who thinks the K lacked good engines never drove the 1.6 turbo petrol versions. It’s probably the reason Vauxhall never bothered with a VXR version, they didn’t need to.
The best model was the pre-facelift 1.6T. Fast, economical and more reliable than the 1.0T and 1.4T. They also got the watts link at the rear which actually made the handling quite fun, unlike the competent but dull drive of those without it.
I ‘m sure GM removed that Watt linkage a while back? I would consider, if the dealers had a better reputation.
We have a 2016 136hp diesel and it's a peach of an engine
Never ever considered an Opel, but this one looks actually good. It offers a much better value for money than its competitors. I feel it's really missing a mild hybrid design. Also the rear visibility seems to be limited compared to a Golf or Focus. If they offer some alluring financing options before the launch of the new Astra generation I will seriously think of buying one, it seems like a top family car option.
Hi Constantine, here's our preview video of the new Astra in case you're interested! ruclips.net/video/D5q3RUVeXYM/видео.html
Very professional review. Congratulations. I'm opt for the Astra 1.5d 122hp 6 speed manual rich Elegance edition next month. Hopefully the new engine will be more reliable than the good-old 1.6 cdti.
We hope you enjoy your new car!
please tell me you didnt get the monster feature
@@awsomelife1493 which feature you mean?
onstar my autocorrect keeps changing it sorry, I was just meaning that it would have been a waste because they cancelled all services for it
@@awsomelife1493 this one has no onstar feature in Greece
Opels are good cars. Ford focus and VW golf should be considered too when it comes to buy one. Perhaps between those 3 I'd go for the golf.
I prefer the focus better looking and fun to drive
@@lucaparker1084 The Focus is the most beautiful. But I think the 1.0 tsi of the golf is better than the 1.0 ecoboost, especially when combined with the dsg gearbox. I have driven the golf and was impressed by that engine.
Half price within 12 months you'd have to be insane to buy one new.
Thank you, the PSA Opel Astra (1.4 turbo petrol) assembled in Poland is the only version here. It sells very well here in Egypt. Unfortunately the dealer is very terrible
TubesWidener it’s Vauxhall
GREAT VIDEO IS THE 1.4 TURBO PETROL ENGINE GOOD
Hi there, one of our Vehicle Specialists will be happy to explore your options to find you the perfect model 👍 Fill-in this quick form and we'll get in touch: bit.ly/39YHCml
@@OsvUkVehicleSupply answer the question
Oh god seriously they've made it slow. WTF? Its 1 and a half seconds slower to 60! Thats vital when pulling out of some service stations where the slip roads back onto are extremely short. And thats on the 145ps version vs the old 1.4 turbo 125ps!
the same as a holden astra and opel astra
Always had an astra in the family since the 80's,but alas this will end next year when it goes on the peugeot platform and made in Germany, they will ruin one of the best family cars ever made,now looking at a Honda civic.
If you have money to burn Gone by A 3-cylinder engine I don't give a damn who makes them you want trouble you got it
I think you haven't forgot something about the car..:)
where the hell is the ash tray?
The only reason they stuck with the GM engine is becuase the crappy French unit wouldn't fit
No handbrake no sale.
Go for the one with extra safety kit and you lose the handbrake..!? And you get larger wheels and less comfy ride.
There's so many things wrong with removing the handbrake from cars, it's not progress. It's fashion, which is not a good enough reason.
Poor level of camera driven safety equipment, showing Vauxhall have very odd priorities.
Having test driven a 3 pot i30, which was very viby especially cold, interested in smoothness and vibration.
How good was this car?
There is an electronic handbrake, you still obviously have one it's just a button and it's much better to use too
@@Edvard.Munchkin 35 years of muscle memory to overcome.
Button is binary and you can't feel what the brake is doing.
Handbrake is infinitely variable and offers the driver better control and feel.
How do you improve on perfection? Break it.
If you asked my VW friend who has one. He hates it never knows what it will do.
@@jeremylister89 I can understand that but the VW ones do give a lot of trouble, I had a 2010 Passat that gave tons of trouble, parking brake broke and ECU failed etc but I now drive a 2014 Insignia, with an electric parking brake and it works fine, I actually really like it. I don't like the manual handbrake at all, I keep forgetting it's on and go to drive off because I'm used to the electric one releasing itself. Personal preference I suppose but as cars become more modern and unfortunately electrified, all parking brakes will be button
You didn't mention that you have to over 60 to be allowed to drive an Astra on the public road.
Apart from that - great review
CHEEKY BUGGER
Those are narrow windscreen pillars? I don't think so. Like most modern vehicles they are HUGE, and potentially dangerous while partially blocking your view.
who thought offering only 3 cylinder engines on a hatchback was a good idea???
Absolutely nothing wrong with a 3 pot
Nothing?
-inherent balancing issues
-fuel economy way too low for it's size/cylinder count
-too much strain put on the small engine because of high boost pressures needed to achieve 120-140hp
-usage of DMFs because of higher torque figures,which does not like driving at low RPMs and is generally less reliable than a traditional flywheel
I wouldn't care it there was an option for other types of engines,but offering only high-strung ones is a no-no
@@amkobih4479 I've owned a 3 pot astra 105bhp, lots of low down grunt, 40 mpg average, 60 on motorways, not a single issue in 4 years and ive ragged the bollocks off of it, im in an owners club and know hundreds of other people with this car and no engine faults... Think maybe they ironed the creases out? Horsepower not pushed too far, 170nm of torque and and very light car.
Maybe if they make 2.0L 3 pots you will encounter issues but for now I think we'll be okay 😊
@@lasing12345 I've driven the same one and it had no "grunt" and shook too much under 1700-1800 RPM (which is fine for a petrol) but I wouldn't say it has power down there
@@amkobih4479 well it won't its a 1.0? But 10.5 0-60 for those mpg returns is not to be sniffed at, third gear will pull all the way up to 80 atleast, happily too, mine doesnt shake at all under 1700? Maybe you drove a lemon 😂
Poor choice of engines sadly :(
I couldn't watch a car review for 1hr. I think 10min is fine
We post the short reviews every Wednesday 😀
Ooo - a Vauxhall Astr...Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
PSA no thanks
Terrible car, i have2017elite nav 150ps. 43,000 miles
Electric handbrake..terrible
Clutch sticks down alarming,head lights terrible, over complicated heating controls, Esc warning for no reason
Not that good on fuel..its going
Sorry to hear that, Geoff. Are you looking for a new vehicle at the moment? One of our vehicle experts are more than happy to help 👍
Looks old..
The new mk8 will be coming soon
I would call it disastra-ous
Looks dated already, bland safe styling, nothing interesting about the design at all.
Never been a Vauxhall fan, just never liked any model in the last 30 years, they underwhelm to look at, and are so bland to drive, they are always behind when it comes to styling, basically they make boring and bland cars for people who just want four wheels and a roof, horrible lazy design, just a low end car marque way behind the opposition.