Passing Junction 10 of the M40, heading towards Birmingham late on a Monday morning, a Ferrari 360, barrelling down the outside lane took a nano-second to fill my rear-view mirror.
Fast it might be, and head-turning it might be, but with 50 miles behind me and another 400 to go, I was grateful to be at the wheel of a Vauxhall Astra diesel.
Having covered just shy of 1,000 miles in two days (and further 1,000 over the next three says), it was apparent just how good the Astra is: since the original model made its debut back in 1979, it has matured into a fantastically capable, good-looking and affordable car.
Fast it might be, and head-turning it might be, but with 50 miles behind me and another 400 to go, I was grateful to be at the wheel of a Vauxhall Astra diesel.
Having covered just shy of 1,000 miles in two days (and further 1,000 over the next three says), it was apparent just how good the Astra is: since the original model made its debut back in 1979, it has matured into a fantastically capable, good-looking and affordable car.
If ever anyone needed proof just how much cars in the lower-medium segment can do everything as well – or in some cases better – than considerably more expensive machinery, the Astra is a superb flag-waving candidate. Cars like the Astra offer an all-round competence that makes them great value for money – better, probably, than cars twice the price – but the proof is clearly in the mileage covered.
Another one of those frantic weeks saw me going from Scotland to Donington Circuit, then on to Silverstone and ending up at Newport Pagnell, the home of Aston Martin.
Some ‘knowledgeable’ people might question doing so many miles in a 1.6-litre diesel Astra, but it would be hard to find another car costing under £20,000 that does the job so well.
First things first – it looks good. The latest Astra’s smooth, flowing lines make it appear bigger than it really is, the low, wide headlights This one was fitted with the optional LED Matrix system) adding a purposeful air. They’re super-powerful too, lighting the way with a broad beam that offers great side-to-side as well as forward projection.
Another one of those frantic weeks saw me going from Scotland to Donington Circuit, then on to Silverstone and ending up at Newport Pagnell, the home of Aston Martin.
Some ‘knowledgeable’ people might question doing so many miles in a 1.6-litre diesel Astra, but it would be hard to find another car costing under £20,000 that does the job so well.
First things first – it looks good. The latest Astra’s smooth, flowing lines make it appear bigger than it really is, the low, wide headlights This one was fitted with the optional LED Matrix system) adding a purposeful air. They’re super-powerful too, lighting the way with a broad beam that offers great side-to-side as well as forward projection.
Back to those looks – while it appears low, which might give the impression there’s a lack of headroom, nothing could be further from the truth. Getting in and out’s easy too – the doors open wide, as does the tailgate, which reveals a deep, square boot - easily enough room for a couple of decent-sized suitcases and fine for my overnight back needed for my one night trip to Perth.
On the M40, having let the screaming Ferrari pass, the comfortable surroundings of the Astra’s interior were clearly up to the job over the coming days.
The interior is a pleasing place to be. It’s spacious, light and very well put together. It’s shows just how well cars like the Astra have caught up with more expensive machinery. The materials – seat fabric, door trims and dashboard – all have a good-quality, long-lasting and consequently reassuring air, and it’s well put together, which isn’t always found on certain prestige models . . .
On the M40, having let the screaming Ferrari pass, the comfortable surroundings of the Astra’s interior were clearly up to the job over the coming days.
The interior is a pleasing place to be. It’s spacious, light and very well put together. It’s shows just how well cars like the Astra have caught up with more expensive machinery. The materials – seat fabric, door trims and dashboard – all have a good-quality, long-lasting and consequently reassuring air, and it’s well put together, which isn’t always found on certain prestige models . . .
The controls are clearly laid out, have a good feel and a positive action. The lights and windscreen wiper switches come easily to hand and the clap-hands wipers sweep almost all the screen – ideal for tackling a sudden downpour on the M6’s Shap descent.
Settled in to the comfortable seats, which offer great back and thigh support, the Astra makes for relaxed journeys, no matter how long they are.
But really making the journey relaxing is the 1.6CDTi’s engine, which puts out a credible 136PS at 3500-4500rpm. It’s good enough for 127mph Vauxhall says, but on the motorway it’s relaxed, quiet and at 70mph covers long distances just as comfortably as in a three-litre petrol-engined car. Power delivery is smooth – even under full load it picks up and runs with no torque steer, irrespective of how wet or dry the road surface is.
Settled in to the comfortable seats, which offer great back and thigh support, the Astra makes for relaxed journeys, no matter how long they are.
But really making the journey relaxing is the 1.6CDTi’s engine, which puts out a credible 136PS at 3500-4500rpm. It’s good enough for 127mph Vauxhall says, but on the motorway it’s relaxed, quiet and at 70mph covers long distances just as comfortably as in a three-litre petrol-engined car. Power delivery is smooth – even under full load it picks up and runs with no torque steer, irrespective of how wet or dry the road surface is.
And while the engine’s first class, so too is the six-speed gearbox. Its action is smooth and precise and it’s clearly well matched to the engine. The clutch is light and precise and even in heavy traffic (getting stuck in the M5 roadworks where it joins the M42) it’s not demanding, and certainly doesn’t have you screaming out for an automatic.
There’s more refinement with the steering, which has a light, sporting air. It’s well balanced, and offers plenty of feel, but not so much the driver would know when they were driving over a cigarette paper. It makes the Astra, even when it’s not one of the performance models, proper driver’s car – one that’s rewarding to drive on any journey, no matter how short or long, or whatever the roads.
It’s definitely a highly recommended car: great looks, great performance, fun to drive and sensibly priced – all-in-all a great package. And it got me thinking: Why buy a 1-Series or A-Class when the similar-sized Astra offers so much better value?
Vauxhall Astra SRi Nav 1.6CDTI 136ps
Engine: 1598cc
Max Power: 136PS @ 3500-4500rpm
Max Speed: 127mph
0-60: 9.0 seconds
By Rich Barnett
There’s more refinement with the steering, which has a light, sporting air. It’s well balanced, and offers plenty of feel, but not so much the driver would know when they were driving over a cigarette paper. It makes the Astra, even when it’s not one of the performance models, proper driver’s car – one that’s rewarding to drive on any journey, no matter how short or long, or whatever the roads.
It’s definitely a highly recommended car: great looks, great performance, fun to drive and sensibly priced – all-in-all a great package. And it got me thinking: Why buy a 1-Series or A-Class when the similar-sized Astra offers so much better value?
Vauxhall Astra SRi Nav 1.6CDTI 136ps
Engine: 1598cc
Max Power: 136PS @ 3500-4500rpm
Max Speed: 127mph
0-60: 9.0 seconds
By Rich Barnett
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