Vauxhall Astra VXR (Team Review) - Fifth Gear

The team review the Vauxhall Astra VXR, and have a test drive with Jonny at the wheel!

[ULSTERISBRITISH]

I’ve owned one for a few years from brand new. Even with tuning and other mods it hasn’t missed a beat.
With tuning and few other upgrades it’s just under 340 bhp and can use every bit of it. It can also be what you need it to be ie use vxr button it can be dramatic and exciting. It’ll just as easily cruise including comfortable ride.
It aesthetically pleasing across the board ie you granny, your missus and/or your kids will all like something about it’s looks.
With an upgrade to the exhaust ie turbo back 3” fully stainless system gives a fantastic sound including crackles and bangs.
When you think of its predecessor and the lack of quality (interior etc) it has came on leaps and bounds and is a lovely place be inside.
I usually change car every 2-3 years but I’ve had this 4 now and still have no desire to change it. Think I’ll put some more mods into it. I can’t praise this car enough and that’s from someone who right up until I bought it said I’d never buy a Vauxhall lol 😂

[soundseeker]

Complaining that the 2.0 turbo engine sounds like a 2.0 turbo engine.... lol what noise were they expecting? A Ferrari V12?

[ShanesAutos]

Epic car, drove one over the course of 2 days last week and it is proper fast and unlike fifth gear i liked the turbo noises. Brilliant car.

[russellstevens]

Viki's problem is it doesn't have a VW badge therefore its awful. their bias knows no bounds

[marklangton]

I've just bought one in black and they are proper quick

[jboi]

Gr8 looking hot hatch. Bought a White one 6mths ago with 13k on the clock. Showroom condition, fully loaded, 20 Inch Alloys, Sat nav, Heated Seats, Heated Steering Wheel, Folding Wing Mirrors, Lane Departure Warning, Automatic Road Sign Recognition, Infinity Sound System, and much more. The previous owner went all out and fitted every optional extra available. And I got to say, I love what I can only describe as the Darth Vada type sound you get when you really give it the beans... Coming from a N/A Type R EP3 & FN2 background, I never thought I'd look at a Vauxhall, but I can't fault it as 'Yet'.... I do miss my revs and the reliability from my past motor's. I only hope that I haven't jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire with this one.. My only criticism is the MPG, I average about 19mpg,  23mpg if I drive it like my granny. It should come with a Petrol Station attached, because if you ever buy a GTC VXR and you use the VXR button,  the Petrol Station WILL be your second home....Lol

[hayksamvelyan]

"Three driving instructors...wonderful" haha I loved that

[oldskooldreamso.s.d]

I don’t have the Astra but I have the Corsa e vxr and owned 6 years from new. Modded it a fair amount and with good care never once skipped a single beat. Good fun cars looked after correct.

[jackytwickx]

In GB it's Vauxhall, in the rest of Europe Opel, and in Australia Holden. Chevrolet in America, it's all General Motors

[thomas]

I wish this car was available in America. It is very stylish and fast. Good review!

[leonidaspiperis]

I’ve just bought one like this one and I LOVE IT !!!

[technohow]

These guys review like a bunch of stale pensioners!!!

[glennbrown]

In Australia it is sold as an Opel Astra OPC.

[perryvaggelas]

I am going to buy one of these GTC, the best looking car GM has ever built

[markymark-r]

I love Plato trying to give advice on driving a fast Astra when he couldn’t drive one fast in the touring cars at the weekend just gone!

[BenzinioB]

I've always envy Jonny - it should be massive fun to work with Tiff, JP and Vicki!!!

[Nanorisk]

@2:28
"Hot hatches are all about putting big performance into the hands of everyday drivers, and so in our test, we used an everyday driver."

[FleetAdmiral]

Johnny Smith, Jason Plato, Tiff Nedell & Vicki BH Best line for 5th Gear

[garrettgarreton]

Astra J OPC over vw gti everytime!! After an accident with my ex GTI 200hp lose control after trying avoid hitting a large stone at a bend in the road (no drugs, no alcohol, even when i was super rigurous about its maintenance). i've never felt gti plenty estable and gripping as the Astra when cornering and weaving. It's a proper 'budge' hothatch for most of entusiast drivers in this kind of vids. About sat. nav. Infotainment and thing like that, i think a good one smartphone is the best solution!

[danmuzicman]

GM needs to bring this over as the new Nova.