Couldn't agree more with your comments on hatchbacks, they're much better to drive, very practical as they've grown in size over the years and lots of spec on them these days along with pokey engines. I've driven several thousand kilometres in two different crossovers and they were awful in comparison. Seems like other manufacturers have put the effort in, solid offerings with the Astra, 308, i30 etc so no matter what you go with you'll get a nice car.
Superb review! You come across extremely well as a presenter. One of the best . Love the new astra a great car. Have driven it myself and the gap to the premium brands is so close now .
I am with you on the hatchback wagon (pun intended!) - also wrt German roads and Autobahns, having a crossover/SUV is even worse because you really cannot hold speeds on the Autobahn in a SUV - I normally carshare with Fiesta as its most readily available and its sometimes funny seeing these SUVs (which are not even that big in the inside BTW), struggle with even a slight bend on the road but they still hog the left lane. Unless of course, its a sporty SUV (and that much harsher to ride day to day + fuel consumption). However, cars that you do see normally going fast and stable are your Astras, Skoda Octavias, Passats or Focuses in estate or hatchback/fastback form (and of course the more premium BMWs, Daimlers, etc).
I still don't understand the fixation with SUV's and crossovers, which are a compromise in most areas. Give me a hatch like an Astra any day of the week, and this new model is now in the top 3 in it's class.
Loving the cars you are getting to review. I like this car there is just something I can't put my finger on why I just not 100%. But you hit the nail on the head we were an opel family 80s up to the 00s!
Like that. I drove a brand new Corsa with the 1.2 petrol engine when I was on holiday in Belfast from the UK just before last Christmas it was a cracking car. Good review!
I think the bezels around the screens are too big for this day and age. You wouldn't buy a tv like that, usb-c should be a must in any new car for future proofing. Awful looking blind spot in the rear and a panoramic roof would help.
Especially in that piano black plastic it just feels a bit cheap and that plastic will probably show up scratches badly I would rather the older tech previous gen interior than that ugly big bezels maybe with some vinyl wrap to cover up the shiny plastic for a nicer colour it could look a bit better
Nice review. Not sure about the trims on this black model. Most of the colored cars in promotions seem to have other trims. Wonder what these will look like on the black model.
Great review as ever Nobby. Yep it'd still be derv for me though the one I'm most interested in is the estate version when it comes out, also the one thing that the Astra has that you can't get any more in the 308 is a manual gearbox. Basically if you want a manual 308 either buy one if the earlier new 308s or buy an Astra.
And the manual gearbox is from Opel... not from PSA. Astra also has fog lights which is missing in 308 and DS4 and the Opel matrix headlights are much more advanced than the simple ones in 308 and DS4. Astra also alone having double cargo floor and hooks to hang bags on.
Mark. Again another excellent review. It is an Astra and in the UK that will hold it back. Then again given the choice you would take the Pug 308 every time. [As with 208 and Corsa] ...Just! If cost is the factor the Opel/Vauxhall would be the brand. Oh i have seen others comment on the tiny, barely visible rear indicators? As in 'down right dangerous...rear shunt! Nonetheless a very good effort from Opel/Vauxhall. Take the Astra over a 'silly' Mocka any day. Cheers.
But technically and functionally and even when it comes to safety, you would then choose the less good car - you may not know that there are differences, other than the appearance. But many people do not care at all about which is the "better" car. "the tiny, barely visible rear indicators" works perfectly fine in reality... and can be seen from a great distance, however, if you want to see a life-threatening one, look at the Peugeot 2008, it does not exist at... all... if you brake at the same time. And almost as bad are the indicators in the LED headlights on 208...
The seat upholstery looks like an 1970s allegro . Biggest mistake gm ever done was the Peugeot take over. Don't think I will ever buy vauxhall opel from Peugeot lost its reliability and brand .sorry to say the only last gm cars I will be buying is the last insignia gsi. And astra j plat format
Nice design effort. I’ve seen a few all black cars on the roads, and I’m getting Darth Vader vibes. Great video…as always!
Cheers Colin
Couldn't agree more with your comments on hatchbacks, they're much better to drive, very practical as they've grown in size over the years and lots of spec on them these days along with pokey engines. I've driven several thousand kilometres in two different crossovers and they were awful in comparison. Seems like other manufacturers have put the effort in, solid offerings with the Astra, 308, i30 etc so no matter what you go with you'll get a nice car.
Superb review! You come across extremely well as a presenter. One of the best . Love the new astra a great car. Have driven it myself and the gap to the premium brands is so close now .
I am with you on the hatchback wagon (pun intended!) - also wrt German roads and Autobahns, having a crossover/SUV is even worse because you really cannot hold speeds on the Autobahn in a SUV - I normally carshare with Fiesta as its most readily available and its sometimes funny seeing these SUVs (which are not even that big in the inside BTW), struggle with even a slight bend on the road but they still hog the left lane. Unless of course, its a sporty SUV (and that much harsher to ride day to day + fuel consumption). However, cars that you do see normally going fast and stable are your Astras, Skoda Octavias, Passats or Focuses in estate or hatchback/fastback form (and of course the more premium BMWs, Daimlers, etc).
I still don't understand the fixation with SUV's and crossovers, which are a compromise in most areas. Give me a hatch like an Astra any day of the week, and this new model is now in the top 3 in it's class.
Loving the cars you are getting to review. I like this car there is just something I can't put my finger on why I just not 100%. But you hit the nail on the head we were an opel family 80s up to the 00s!
Just ordered a GS line in black 😁
Like that. I drove a brand new Corsa with the 1.2 petrol engine when I was on holiday in Belfast from the UK just before last Christmas it was a cracking car. Good review!
Thanks
Really like your no nonsense reviews. Still rather have a Golf though.
Never been a fan of opel, but had an estate astra as a rental in Italy in 2017 and loved it. Definitely influenced why I have an estate now.
I think the bezels around the screens are too big for this day and age. You wouldn't buy a tv like that, usb-c should be a must in any new car for future proofing. Awful looking blind spot in the rear and a panoramic roof would help.
Especially in that piano black plastic it just feels a bit cheap and that plastic will probably show up scratches badly I would rather the older tech previous gen interior than that ugly big bezels maybe with some vinyl wrap to cover up the shiny plastic for a nicer colour it could look a bit better
Ordered mine today, not expected to get it until March/April.
Your knackered my son i
Nice review. Not sure about the trims on this black model. Most of the colored cars in promotions seem to have other trims. Wonder what these will look like on the black model.
Great review as ever Nobby. Yep it'd still be derv for me though the one I'm most interested in is the estate version when it comes out, also the one thing that the Astra has that you can't get any more in the 308 is a manual gearbox. Basically if you want a manual 308 either buy one if the earlier new 308s or buy an Astra.
And the manual gearbox is from Opel... not from PSA.
Astra also has fog lights which is missing in 308 and DS4 and the Opel matrix headlights are much more advanced than the simple ones in 308 and DS4.
Astra also alone having double cargo floor and hooks to hang bags on.
@@Djeseret that would explain the close gears as that's what I loved about my Astra 1.7 cdti 3 door, the close gears.
It looks good. Somewhere in between a Golf and an A3.
Should you be adjusting the steering wheel when driving?
Mark. Again another excellent review. It is an Astra and in the UK that will hold it back. Then again given the choice you would take the Pug 308 every time. [As with 208 and Corsa] ...Just! If cost is the factor the Opel/Vauxhall would be the brand. Oh i have seen others comment on the tiny, barely visible rear indicators? As in 'down right dangerous...rear shunt! Nonetheless a very good effort from Opel/Vauxhall. Take the Astra over a 'silly' Mocka any day. Cheers.
But technically and functionally and even when it comes to safety, you would then choose the less good car - you may not know that there are differences, other than the appearance.
But many people do not care at all about which is the "better" car.
"the tiny, barely visible rear indicators" works perfectly fine in reality... and can be seen from a great distance, however, if you want to see a life-threatening one, look at the Peugeot 2008, it does not exist at... all... if you brake at the same time.
And almost as bad are the indicators in the LED headlights on 208...
Sides of the car looks weird... like bloated sides. Think Golf still beats it
First time I've seen a driving review with steering wheel adjusted while actually driving. Enough said...
I’m guessing that the glovebox is tiny for RHD due to being based on the 308 chassis? Love a hatch though.
No... Peugeot listened to Opel's wishes for Vauxhall and therefore it is a full size glovebox...
They’ve sorted that issue out.
The new 308 has a big glove box
Thanks
Looks like Stradbally in Laois?
Not far from there, passed through it. Cobblers Castle walk from the geo tag on a pic I took there anyway. Looked like a nice walk!
The seat upholstery looks like an 1970s allegro . Biggest mistake gm ever done was the Peugeot take over. Don't think I will ever buy vauxhall opel from Peugeot lost its reliability and brand .sorry to say the only last gm cars I will be buying is the last insignia gsi. And astra j plat format
yes but will a weekly bag of shopping dent the panel work like the French cars?
2010 called and want their bezels back
MPG please
Yeah, only it’s actually a Peugeot. I’ll get me coat.
Oh dear,not the best looking car.I’ll keep my Focus thank you very much!🤮
Cheap nasty interior it will never be a vauxhall opel car it's just a Peugeot.