The Vauxhall Astra is a good combination of efficient engines, nice and delicate design and cleverly woven interior that offers an enjoyable driving experience with low running cost. It is considered the best brand for town driving in UK with its good handling and maneuvering ability. There are competent rivals of this hatchback such as SEAT Leon, Hyundai i30, Renault Megane and Kia Cee’d, but its popularity is increasing day by day.
There is a good engines range for Vauxhall Astra. Plenty of powerful diesel engines are smooth and economical in use while the petrol engines are punchy one with efficient fuel average. The whole engine range is well responsive and in a best combination with the compact design of this well built car.
The diesel engines range starts with 1.6 litre CDTi four-cylinder engine that is capable of 108bhp and 221lb/ft torque. This engine is gutsy one and takes 10.3 seconds to get from 0-62m/h with top speed of 121m/h. The remarkable thing of this diesel engine is its fuel average. It gives 76m/g of fuel average with just 97g/km of CO2 emissions. This diesel engine is fitted with the most efficient combination of six-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive system as standard.
The second unit is available with 134bhp and 236lb/ft torque. This engine is speedier than the earlier one. It takes 9.1 seconds to get from 0-62m/h with top speed of 124m/h. It is fitted with six-speed automatic gearbox and front-wheel drive unit, so its fuel consumption is high.
It gives 62m/g of fuel average with 119g/km of CO2 emissions. It is also available in six-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive system and offers a marvelous output with 9.0 seconds 0-62m/h sprint with top speed of 127m/h. this combination gives 72m/g of fuel average with 103g/km of CO2 emissions. The difference between outputs of automatic gear transmission and manual gearbox is noteworthy.
This is the most powerful diesel version that is capable of 157bhp and 258lb/ft torque. It takes 8.0 seconds to reach from 0-62m/h with top speed of 137m/h. The fuel average of this diesel engine is 68m/g with 109g/km of CO2 emissions. This engine is fitted with six-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive system.
The petrol engine range of Vauxhall Astra is a long one with plenty of efficient and gutsy units and also having small engines. There is something for everyone in Vauxhall Astra petrol engine lineup.
The petrol engine lineup starts with 1.4 litre petrol engine which is available is 98bhp and 96lb/ft torque. It is a small unit but good in performance with 12.6 seconds for 0-62m/h sprint and top speed of 115m/h. The fuel consumption is not as economical as we find in the diesel ones but gives 52m/g of fuel average with 124g/km affordable Co2 emissions. It is available in five-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive system.
This version is of 123bhp and 181lb/ft torque. It is a powerful engine and takes 8.6 seconds to get from 0-2m/h with top speed of 127m/h. It gives 52m/g of fuel average with 124g/km ofCo2 emissions. This version is available in five-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive system.
With 147bhp and 173lb/ft torque, the 1.4litre petrol engine takes 8.4 seconds for 0-62m/h sprint with top speed of 130m/h. This version gives 52m/g of fuel average with 124g/km of Co2 emissions. This petrol engine is available with six-speed automatic gearbox and front-wheel drive system as standard. This version is also available with six-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive system. This combination offers the second fastest time for 0-62m/h with 7.4 seconds. The top speed of this setup is 134m/h. It offers 51m/g of fuel average with 128g/km of Co2 emissions.
There is a 1.0litre petrol engine available in Vauxhall Astra with 103bhp and 125lb/ft torque. It is a three-cylinder EcoFlex version of petrol engine. It takes 10.5 seconds to get from 0-62m/h. The top speed of this Eco friendly version is 121m/h. Three-cylinder means the fuel consumption of this version is very economical. It gives 65m/g of fuel average with just 99g/km of Co2 emissions. It is also equipped with five-speed gearbox and front-wheel drive system.
The 1.6 litre petrol engine is capable of 197bhp and 221lb/ft torque. It is the fastest in Vauxhall Astra engine lineup with 6.6 seconds to get from 0-62m/h with top speed of 146m/h. It gives 46m/g of fuel average with 141g/km of CO2 emissions. This petrol engine is fitted with six-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive system.
The new Astra is with lighter and stronger body built than before. It scored five stars in Euro NCAP crash test. It is equipped with standard safety measures such as six airbags, automatic cruise and stability control system, driver alert system, traffic signs recognition system, forward-facing camera, lane departure warning system, intelligent anti-collision system, blind spot warning system, self-parking function, anti lock automatic braking system and LED headlights with automatic main beam mode.
The interior offers a good range of stylish and standard equipments that we find in any costly brand of this class and all are also well knitted. The seating arrangement is good and the steering-wheel offers a good grip along with lot of functions and controls around it.
The infotainment is very cleverly designed and fixed in its position. The infotainment panel has all standard features such as climate control, cruise control, heated and cooled steering wheel and seats and a bright touch screen. The Vauxhall Astra offers a good seating arrangement with good leg and head room at front and at rear. The boot space is reasonable with 370-litres that can be extended by dropping down the rear seats.
