Vauxhall Astra review (2009 to 2015) | What Car?

The Vaxhall Astra looks great inside and out, and its cabin is built from high-quality plastics. It's brilliant at shutting out road noise, too, and the ride is superb.

It's expensive to buy and lease, and doesn't hold its value well. The steering is vague.

What Car? is the UK's biggest car-buying brand and has been helping Britain's car buyers make purchasing decisions for over 40 years. Our tests are widely regarded as the most trusted source of new car advice.

This channel brings you trusted reviews on all the new models on the market , all the latest first drives, reader reviews, and great car-buying advice.

[fivos]

I have had an Audi A3 1.6, a VW golf 1.4GT and now own a 1.6T Astra J. The Astra is by far the best one of the lot for me. I dont take it to the race track because its not a race car so I dont care about the "feedback" of the steering as much as I care that its light, precise and I can park it very easily. I dont care that the acceleration of the equivalent Audi/VW is better because I cant (and neither can you) shift like a pro and all I want is the little thrill of the turbo in 2nd and 3rd. The cluttered dashboard? I love buttons, the cockpit of a jet is amazing because of all the buttons. Its prettier than the Golf and has a younger feel than the A3. After the remap to get a little more juice I feel like its one of the best cars I have driven in that class.

[PeresD]

A bit of a harsh review, I find it an excellent car.

[forzabowe]

I know Vauxhall’s tend to get a bad rep, especially in the uk, but my old 2003, Corsa never put a foot wrong and it is 17 years old

[HaroldShand]

The 1.6 petrol engine is under-powered, but i bought a 1 year old 1.4 turbo petrol in the spring, and i love it.

[donaldmacaskill]

It's the same company(GM)! its branded Vauxhall in the UK and elsewhere its Opel (Holdens in Australia also). they are not copying anyone because its the same company!

[robertoetojo]

i have 1 its awesome car... no need to swear mate.

[volt]

Drive one yourself. My father has 1.6 16v. Done 55k drives like new, very nice place to be. Journos suck with their opinionated reviews. Some of us buy cars to drive and last

[gloriaray]

i have a Vauxhall astra 1.6 limited edition does the driver information centre screen light up around the speed dial? year 15

[LightningMcqueenFan-vfhh]

Even though I like the look of the facelifted version better this is still a good looking vehicle.

[saidul]

lots of button on the dashboard is negative?

[athleticscoach]

Exactly! The i30 is good but no cruise control in old model and the new one has just come out is great but and expensive for now. They both have slow engines, I mean economical!

[janrdoh]

What excellent ones?Boring looking Golf, cheap I30 and trying too hard Civic.Looks like Astra got it just right.As for the steering and handling well maybe in the UK but the Opel badged models in South Africa have responsive firm steering and quick handling.I guess some Astras are more equal than others.

[athleticscoach]

Just did test drive in 2010 1.4T (turbos take some tracking down) Sri version so maybe handling different but with mrs and car guy in threw it round a couple of laps of a smal roundabout and move and inch wrong and the streering is very precise and wighted so they are talking nonsense. Only negative is last car was Hyundai Coupe which crashed over bumps, but over good road surface that actually felt a bit smoother! Cruise control is awesome as you can use it to change the speed as well!

[Jehowy]

I would buy new J again, Astra K was a big disappointment for me after my Astra J.

[bennicool]

@HowkeyLL The Handling of my Insignia is like Butter. So emotional and exactly, and in SPORT Mode so strong and sporty. What is better? I doesnt understand your post.

[detmer]

In my country the resale value is higher then the VW Golf.

[HowkeyLL]

juke is crossover
golf has manual gearbox (DSG is optional extra)
what about Focus?
what about Megane?
Volvo V40?

[athleticscoach]

Miles where a bit high in 40's but went off H Johns advice that ok if price was right. £8, 400!. In real world depreciation can work out in your favour. If buying new I don't know why What Car (great mag in most areas) moans about high list price, you can get 3k off the list £ easy. I never used to like Astra but new shape looks as good as any hatch (golf looks like a shed to me) Engine on 1.4T is awesome & the seats are ergonomically great esp side supports which are key to avoiding back probs

[HowkeyLL]

but the Megane was higly praised by many car magazines as exception to Renaults poor brand name. I wont be arguing about style because its too much of a persons choice but yeah the volvo is the least desirable for me too. As i think in my head the only Vauxhall ive seen in months is older Astra with engine from GTC.

[Hudasragab]

astra design is better than the megane and focus 10 times
it is german while the megane is french(not so strong ) and ford is practically great car but it is not dun and exciting as the astra i think
volvo v40?!!who wants this things