Nice detailed review Shane...Mega excited as i pick mine up in the morning! Opted for 1.4Turbo SRi in white...only test drove the 1.0T so i'm hoping this puts a little smile on my face! Obviously i'm not expecting a sports car, but should tick a few boxes!! Lots of room in these, really great for the family...I'm 6ft 7" and don't need my seat all the way back, so still room for the kiddies legs!
yeah i love it, although it's developed a noise from left side of engine bay so it's going back to Vauxhall next week :-/ really nippy and nice to drive...love the connectivity for music etc
Nice review one thing I don't think it has Bi Xenon headlights though it has the projector lamps but normal halogen bulb the K only has the option of the new LED system and they don't offer AFL anymore with the Bi Xenon lights as I have on my J
great review Shane, this has made my decision on an Astra a lot easier! Can I ask - the horsepower of both vehicles tested is pretty much the same whereas the torque is quite different. From the point of view of "pulling away from the traffic lights", is the diesel a clear winner?
The 1.6 diesel really is the better engine. It has more torque and power than the 1.0 Turbo petrol and is every bit as economical and cheap to run. Realistically the 1.0 is bought by people who perhaps don't do a lot of driving so therefore don't need a diesel.
Well the diesel can be had with 110 PS or 136 PS however the diesel does still produce more torque than the 1.4 Turbo. The diesel also gets that bit better fuel economy so I guess it depends on your preference, buy the 1.4 turbo for more power but less economy, or buy the more economical diesel and choose between 110 or 136 PS. For me, if i wasn't worried about the economy figures, 1.4
+Ben in the end I didn't get it as Vauxhall played me around making me wait 5 months. Went to Audi and got a brand new Audi A3 sport 66 plate within 5 days and delivered. Haven't looked back since
Great review. Would you say the SRI or the Elite is the better spec to get? The SRI has the lane assist and city braking etc, while the Elite has the leather seats and ambient lighting (apparently). Also would you say this is a better purchase over a Golf?
+Monkeybox Gaming The Elite has everything. Honestly I personally would rather the SRi for the styling above all else and it comes with most of the things you find in the Elite. In my opinion I prefer it to the Golf especially the interior.
+Shane Earley I have the Astra J Elite and it falls short on equipment compared to the Tech Line. No sat nav, no bluetooth, no USB port, all optional extras according to Vauxhall. Has that changed in the Astra K so these are now all fitted as standard?
The Elite is the top of the range model on the new Astra and from my knowledge they all come fitted as standard. I was looking at one when I went to buy my Astra yesterday.
I'm constantly looking for Golf killers, but each time compact cars are reviewed the Golf always wins. And since I think the Golf is a very boring product I don't wanna buy it. So I'm still in limbo, waiting for that Golf competitor that's not the overpriced Audi A3. Is this Astra it? The road noise sounds rather loud?
No the road noise is minimal, its actually a very quiet car. Regarding the Golf Mk7, I think personally id rather the new Astra especially from a styling point of view and I prefer the interior.
Hi Shane. Regarding the intellilink, would you happen to know if it's possible to sync a phone via bluetooth to the radio and connect an iPod via UBS/Aux port so you can listen to music on the stereo via your iPod but still have your phone connected so that you can take calls hands free? It's kind of a long winded question and I've probably not explained it well at all but I hope you can help in any way with this.
Yes you can take a phone call and the music will be either muted or paused, im not sure because I never done that test. Now you have me curious so I think someday il experiment with that myself. Il borrow an Opel with intellilink, bluetooth my phone to the car and listen to music off my MP3 and have a friend ring me and il get back to you with a definite answer.
peter g. I’ve never driven an automatic Astra, they are not very common about here. I’ve driven an auto Insignia which is the gearbox and I thought it was quite good.
I looked at your profile...you're from Donegal. This explains the accent. I'm taking an Astra sri on a road test on Friday and am looking forward to it. Your review was very good.
+IcEMyst Private You can have the 1.6 Diesel with either 136 or 115 BHP, this one is the 115. Herron Auto don't normally order in the higher performance models unless its for a customer.
Ha OK my company car is ordered in dynamic full option included business premium pack. Leather and ledmatrix and 18 inch wheel in the 1.6cdti automatic 136 hp
I like the look of the new one more, I think if I was to have a normal hatchback it'd be one of these
+Anthony R it is a nice looking car. id encourage anyone considering one to buy it for sure!
Great review! I just ordered an SRi a few weeks ago in the 1L ecotec option. Can't wait to collect it. Your review has made me even more excited now 😊
+Ciara Dunne Excellent. Are you living in Ireland or the UK? Im sure you will enjoy it.
+Shane Earley In Dublin Shane. I just googled Opel Astra SRi review and yours was the first video that came up. Exactly what I was looking for 👍
Ciara Dunne ah cool. Well im glad you enjoyed it:)
+Ciara Dunne Hi Ciara, have you picked up the Astra yet?
+Shane Earley Hi Shane No not yet 😞 the garage told me mid February because of the high demand! Itchin to get my hands on it!
good video, im hopefully getting the 1.6 SRI next week. looks lovely and feels great to drive...
Nice detailed review Shane...Mega excited as i pick mine up in the morning! Opted for 1.4Turbo SRi in white...only test drove the 1.0T so i'm hoping this puts a little smile on my face! Obviously i'm not expecting a sports car, but should tick a few boxes!! Lots of room in these, really great for the family...I'm 6ft 7" and don't need my seat all the way back, so still room for the kiddies legs!
yeah i love it, although it's developed a noise from left side of engine bay so it's going back to Vauxhall next week :-/ really nippy and nice to drive...love the connectivity for music etc
A detailed, very helpful review, well done and thank you.
Nice review one thing I don't think it has Bi Xenon headlights though it has the projector lamps but normal halogen bulb the K only has the option of the new LED system and they don't offer AFL anymore with the Bi Xenon lights as I have on my J
great review Shane, this has made my decision on an Astra a lot easier! Can I ask - the horsepower of both vehicles tested is pretty much the same whereas the torque is quite different. From the point of view of "pulling away from the traffic lights", is the diesel a clear winner?
The 1.6 diesel really is the better engine. It has more torque and power than the 1.0 Turbo petrol and is every bit as economical and cheap to run. Realistically the 1.0 is bought by people who perhaps don't do a lot of driving so therefore don't need a diesel.
thanks Shane. What about Diesel versus the 1.4 150?
Well the diesel can be had with 110 PS or 136 PS however the diesel does still produce more torque than the 1.4 Turbo. The diesel also gets that bit better fuel economy so I guess it depends on your preference, buy the 1.4 turbo for more power but less economy, or buy the more economical diesel and choose between 110 or 136 PS. For me, if i wasn't worried about the economy figures, 1.4
+Shane Earley thanks!
got the SRI 1.4 coming in 2 weeks been waiting since june for mine! in white!
thats great. feel free to forward on some photos to me when you get it
+Ben in the end I didn't get it as Vauxhall played me around making me wait 5 months. Went to Audi and got a brand new Audi A3 sport 66 plate within 5 days and delivered. Haven't looked back since
Great review.
Would you say the SRI or the Elite is the better spec to get?
The SRI has the lane assist and city braking etc, while the Elite has the leather seats and ambient lighting (apparently).
Also would you say this is a better purchase over a Golf?
+Monkeybox Gaming The Elite has everything. Honestly I personally would rather the SRi for the styling above all else and it comes with most of the things you find in the Elite. In my opinion I prefer it to the Golf especially the interior.
+Monkeybox Gaming my elite has the same styling
+Shane Earley I have the Astra J Elite and it falls short on equipment compared to the Tech Line. No sat nav, no bluetooth, no USB port, all optional extras according to Vauxhall. Has that changed in the Astra K so these are now all fitted as standard?
The Elite is the top of the range model on the new Astra and from my knowledge they all come fitted as standard. I was looking at one when I went to buy my Astra yesterday.
Great review. to drive better than same engine and bhp size golf ??
+don naughton About the same really, no huge difference in performance.
I'm constantly looking for Golf killers, but each time compact cars are reviewed the Golf always wins. And since I think the Golf is a very boring product I don't wanna buy it. So I'm still in limbo, waiting for that Golf competitor that's not the overpriced Audi A3. Is this Astra it? The road noise sounds rather loud?
No the road noise is minimal, its actually a very quiet car. Regarding the Golf Mk7, I think personally id rather the new Astra especially from a styling point of view and I prefer the interior.
Hi Shane. Regarding the intellilink, would you happen to know if it's possible to sync a phone via bluetooth to the radio and connect an iPod via UBS/Aux port so you can listen to music on the stereo via your iPod but still have your phone connected so that you can take calls hands free? It's kind of a long winded question and I've probably not explained it well at all but I hope you can help in any way with this.
Yes you can take a phone call and the music will be either muted or paused, im not sure because I never done that test. Now you have me curious so I think someday il experiment with that myself. Il borrow an Opel with intellilink, bluetooth my phone to the car and listen to music off my MP3 and have a friend ring me and il get back to you with a definite answer.
OK I'll check it out with a test drive..rgds.
Good review well worth the watch
Old Tone Thank you kind sir! 😁
Would the 1.0l turbo be recommended for new drivers?
Are the automatic transmissions any good on the new astra?
peter g. I’ve never driven an automatic Astra, they are not very common about here. I’ve driven an auto Insignia which is the gearbox and I thought it was quite good.
so in your opinion would there be quieter cars in this class for eg . vw golf or other that might have impressed..
to be honest the astra is very quiet and a joy to drive
Great video! Thank you (: and i want to ask what was the average fuel consumption for 1.0 ecotec? (:
thanks. this is an estimate but in the mid 50's mpg
+Shane Earley is this your test values or fabric values?
+Hayashi Takaya sorry i dont understand your question.
+Shane Earley well oke sorry about my eng. you said its around 50 mpgs. I just want to know you get this numbers from your test drive?
+Hayashi Takaya oh no that is an estimate. Opel claim it can do 65.7 mpg but factory mpg claims are always exaggerated.
shane good review but opel are not very reliable any trouble so far
opel are very reliable and as an astra owner i can confirm this. the newest astra is excellent and very well built.
+thejamieharper i never drove the 1.4 turbo but does pack decent power and should be handy enough to run
Ordered the car, picking it up in about 2-3 weeks. Super excited!
Intellilink your iPhone or android Nav app and you won't need the Nav option or external Nav unit
Yeah that's what I have been doing, working fine so far!
A lot of road noise....did you have window open .
+ispiron55 Nope all 4 were up, although the mic mounted beside the window.
Petrol Astras act silly are well sealed from the out side noise I think it's just the desiel engine that's makes the noise
Must be from NI...but why is it branded as an Opel?
in europe its an opel. only in the uk is it a vauxhaull
I looked at your profile...you're from Donegal. This explains the accent. I'm taking an Astra sri on a road test on Friday and am looking forward to it. Your review was very good.
+Alan Mac thanks Alan. Im sure you will enjoy it.
Anyone want to see the best feature of this car check my short vids of launch control 😉
136 horse power not 115
+IcEMyst Private You can have the 1.6 Diesel with either 136 or 115 BHP, this one is the 115. Herron Auto don't normally order in the higher performance models unless its for a customer.
Ha OK my company car is ordered in dynamic full option included business premium pack. Leather and ledmatrix and 18 inch wheel in the 1.6cdti automatic 136 hp
And thx die nog know there are 2 1.6 diesels
+IcEMyst Private There are 3 actually.
@urbex2007 I speak about the diesel engines