Vauxhall Astra (2015 – 2022) Review

Look beyond the understated styling and you’ll find a surprisingly upmarket cabin, a generous level of standard equipment, efficient engines and some seriously tempting prices. It’s even better if you opt for a post-2019 facelift Astra. Put simply, you’ll get a lot of car for the money if you buy a Vauxhall Astra.

Appearances can be deceptive. The current Vauxhall Astra, introduced in 2015, might look similar to its predecessor, but there were big changes beneath the skin. Improvements across the board mean that the Astra is closer than ever to the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf, two cars that dominate the sales charts in the UK. Maybe it’s time to take a second look at the Astra.

Indeed, a subtle facelift in 2019 means that it’s better than ever. Good driving manners, a new range of engines and improved technology are just three of the reasons why a new Astra is such a compelling and credible choice. The 2015 car was good, but the new version is even better, thanks in part to input from Vauxhall’s new French owners.

The styling isn’t a highlight. Although design is a subjective matter, the Astra does little more than blend in with its surroundings. It also looks a little lacklustre when parked alongside one of the many crossovers and SUVs that are fashionable in 2020.

It’s a similar story inside. The cabin offers little in the way of flair and imagination, although the design is simple and modern. There’s a clear and logical layout to the dashboard and instruments, while the quality is high for a volume manufacturer. Highlights include excellent seats, a user-friendly design and a soft red glow from the buttons at night.

Practicality is good, especially if you opt for the Sport Tourer (estate). There’s also a fair amount of room in the cabin, although headroom in the back is a little tight, but less so in the Sport Tourer. Equipment levels are good, even on the entry-level version. Opt for Elite Nav or Ultimate versions for premium levels of kit at an affordable price.

That said, be wary of depreciation. The Vauxhall Astra is quick to shed its value, particularly in the early years, which means buying used is better than buying new. Indeed, the Astra is a used car bargain – an undiscovered gem of the second-hand market.

The driving experience is nothing to write home about, but to continue a theme, it’s better than you might think.

Although it lacks the precision of the Ford Focus, it’s an immensely satisfying car to drive. It’s also a little more mature than the Focus, making it feel like a cut-price Volkswagen Golf. For long distance driving, the Astra is hard to beat, especially if you opt for a diesel engine.

Don’t rule out the petrol engines, especially since the 2019 facelift. The 1.2-litre turbo, which is offered in three power outputs, is a little gem. A terrific blend of punchy performance and efficiency makes it a worthy alternative to the diesel engines.

In case you hadn’t noticed, we rather like the Vauxhall Astra. It’s dowdy image is a problem for other people, which leaves you free to discover one of the most underrated cars of 2020. Don’t be too disappointed if you’re handed the keys to an Astra when you book your next rental car.

Looking for a second opinon? Why not read heycar's Vauxhall Astra review.

The steering is nicely weighted, while the Astra shifts through a series of bends in a hunkered down manner, which is at odds with the feel of a modern crossover.

Ride quality is also impressive, although you should avoid the larger alloy wheels. It’s arguably a touch firm in town, but at higher speeds the Astra is soothing and absorbent. We’re not going to say you’ll have fun in a Vauxhall Astra, but this model is far closer to the Focus than previous versions. More mature than the Focus, but a touch more playful than the Volkswagen Golf.

An Astra with a diesel engine is terrific for anyone who covers long distances. The comfortable seats and long-legged economy combine to make the Astra the ideal car for anyone who spends a lot of time behind the wheel.

The Astra launched in 2015 with a 105PS 1.0-litre turbo, a 1.4-litre Ecotec turbo with 125PS or 150PS, and a 200hp 1.6-litre engine. Of these petrol engines, the 150hp is the highlight, offering an excellent blend of eager performance and economy. For diesel fans, the 1.6-litre CDTi is a peach, with power outputs from 110PS to 160PS.

New engines were introduced in 2019. There’s an excellent 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo (110PS, 130PS or 145PS). There is also another three-cylinder turbo of 1.4-litre capacity, paired solely with a CVT gearbox.

Diesel engines are good, too: the 1.5-litre turbodiesel is available with 105PS or 122PS. We’d recommend the latter, preferably with the six-speed manual gearbox rather than the nine-speed automatic.

The Vauxhall Astra achieved a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating when it was crash-tested in 2015. Front and side airbags are standard, along with seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters front and rear, while side head airbags extend from front to rear. There are also three Isofix points (two in the back and one in the front).

Facelifted cars benefit from an improved front camera, for enhanced autonomous emergency braking, and there’s an e-call function that calls the emergency services if it detects an incident. Facelift Astras also have the option of a heated windscreen.

The 122PS 1.5-litre Turbo D is the best choice for towing, offering a maximum towing capacity of 1450kg. This is the same regardless of whether you opt for the hatchback or estate. Be careful when opting for the nine-speed automatic transmission. Although the hatchback has a towing capacity of 1350kg, the estate is rated at 1250kg. There’s a similar penalty in petrol versions.

The boot offers 370 litres of luggage capacity, which is more than you’ll find in a Ford Focus, and just shy of a Volkswagen Golf. It’s easy to make use of the space, thanks to square and flat sides, plus a boot deep. The drawback is a high load lip, which makes it difficult to load and unload heavy items. The rear seats have a standard split-fold function, increasing the boot capacity to 1,210 litres.

The amount of room in the cabin is impressive, with Vauxhall using cut-away seat backrests and well-shaped door panels to maximise available space. Headroom isn’t so good, while the rising window line only serves to restrict the view for children sitting in the back. Isofix points are fitted to outer rear seats as standard.

If we had to criticise one thing, it would be the lack of storage for oddments. The door pockets are too small and the cabin is generally lacking in storage space.

It’s rather BMW-like in its execution, with the dashboard boasting a soft, shine-free finish. The materials used in the lower parts of the cabin are less impressive, but this is true of many cars in this class.

Crucially, everything feels robust and built to last, while the user-friendly design is a welcome tonic to Astra models of old. If you haven’t experienced an Astra for a while, prepare to be pleasantly surprised.

All models feature at least a seven-inch touchscreen. Not all cars have sat-nav, but no Astra looks particularly lacking in terms of infotainment. The IntelliLux audio provides USB connectivity, Bluetooth streaming and a more basic aux-in socket. Models with Navi 900 sat-nav feature a large eight-inch touchscreen.

Facelifted 2019 models have new multimedia systems using more modern technology. Most models are fitted with an upscale Multimedia Navi Pro system, with eight-inch touchscreen and voice control.

All systems have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (even earlier 2015 Astras did so), while top trim levels add wireless smartphone technology.

Used prices start from around £5000, which makes a 2015 Vauxhall Astra about £500 cheaper than an equivalent Ford Focus. Granted, there are trim and engine differences, but an Astra should be cheaper to buy than a Focus.

Facelifted models start from around £10,000, which is remarkable value for a car registered in 2019. For this budget, you’ll have to make do with a basic model, but it’s not a big stretch to one of the more desirable trim levels. Interestingly, the Sport Tourer estate doesn’t command a premium over the hatchback when buying used.

If you’re buying new, there are a number of different trim levels and engines to consider, but thankfully it’s less complex than it was a few years ago.

Prices of the entry-level SE range from £18,890 to £22,610, depending on the engine. The Business Edition Nav is priced from £19,740 to £23,460, while the SRi is £21,295 to £25,015.

Moving up to the SRi Nav costs £21,795 to £25,515, while the flagship Elite Nav Premium costs £25,950 to £28,270. There are fewer engines and trim levels to choose from when buying the Astra Sport Tourer. As a guide, a 1.2-litre SE costs £20,340, while the most expensive 1.5-litre SRi Nav costs £26,965.

Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) plans on the Vauxhall Astra are competitive, although the relatively high depreciation means that it’s not as cheap as some rivals. That said, Vauxhall does offer zero deposit and zero percent finance deals on a regular basis.

On paper, the early cars offer the best fuel economy, as they were measured to the old, less realistic NEDC standard. Even the 1.6-litre turbo managed mid-40s. Diesels averaged up to 86mpg, with the best-sellers returning high-60s.

The stricter WLTP test standard was in force by 2019. Even so, up to 54mpg from the 1.2-litre turbo petrol is a strong result. Diesel engines were rated from 60-64mpg. These are impressive numbers.

Finding affordable car insurance shouldn’t be a problem.. The cheapest models start from group 11 (out of 50), with 1.4-litre turbo versions from group 14. The 1.6-litre CDTi turbodiesel is a group 13 car, with the 160PS BiTurbo in group 18.

A 1.5-litre Turbo D in 122hp SRi guise is group 17, matching the 145hp 1.2-litre turbo petrol. The most expensive Astra to insure is the 1.6-litre turbo with 200PS, at group 20.

The low CO2 emissions of the Astra have benefits in terms of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). Even some 1.0-litre petrol versions benefit from free VED, along with most of the 110PS and 136PS 1.6-litre diesels. You’ll pay just £30 for a 1.4 turbo. Buy a 2017-on Astra and you’ll pay a flat rate of £150 from year two.

The Vauxhall Astra won’t get your neighbours’ curtains twitching. A succession of dreary and lacklustre models have left the Astra’s reputation in tatters, making it feel like the kind of car you dread being handed the keys for at the rental desk.

It deserves better. Beneath the forgettable styling you’ll find a car that’s well built, efficient, comfortable and surprisingly good to drive. If you’re after a safe and practical family car that’s packed with equipment, you ought to give the Astra a second look.