Tech Line 2.0 CDTi 16v 165 ecoFLEX Start/Stop 5dr Hatchback

A design disaster, but a good runner.

I had the fortune (or misfortune) to have an Astra 2.0 diesel for four weeks while waiting for a new lease car to arrive. Covered 2,800 miles in that time.

Having been used to driving high spec Ford’s, Mini’s and BMWs, the Astra was an incredible disappointment, epitomised by some simply awful design that should never have been signed off.

Looking at performance first, it has a willing engine with plenty of torque, eve while sounding a little agricultural. Driving it hard, I was getting around 52-53 to the gallon, and with a 56 litre tank, a range of 640-ish miles. Reasonable sound system, sat nav and Bluetooth/iPhone integration too.

Now the downsides. At the front, the small plastic skirt fouls speed humps, angled ground and verges, so begs the question why so low?

Inside the cockpit looks OK but then when you release the handbrake, your fingers can get trapped by the deep trim around the gear stick. There are three cup holders, but a Costa-sized cup in the front holder prevents getting a grip on the handbrake. How can this pass design scrutiny?

The centre arm rest, which slides, can only be opened in the rearmost position. Potty!

The seats while well-cushioned and supportive to the back of the knees, were for me, a devil to set for long distance comfort.

Other poor touches – mirror adjust knob stuck on door panel, so not ergonomically easy to use; an ‘Eco’ button that in reality disables the stop/start system but out to use the same ‘A’ with a circular arrow symbol used by Nissan, Mini, BMW, etc, for consistency; no identification of trim level anywhere; pathetic sized glove box; a adjustable height steering wheel that blocks off water and fuel gauges for tall drivers or those who like the seat high.

For the money, there is much better value Focus/Golf sized hatchbacks available, and based on my experience, I would not buy this model of Astra. – too many design shortcoming to be able to live with it long term.

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