WE need to talk about the Vauxhall Astra.
Once a firm family favourite, now lesser spotted than the Hamburglar.
Vauxhall Astra was once a firm family favourite Credit: Supplied
Vauxhall reintroduced a six-speed manual that lowers the starting price to £26,495 Credit: Supplied
It wasn’t so long ago that Astras were everywhere and I mean absolutely everywhere.
Astra cars.
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Astra vans.
Astra convertibles.
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CORSA’S A CORKA
Vauxhall Corsa GSE is one of the best cars I’ve tried all year
GTC coupes.
Hot GTEs, SRIs and VXRs.
I’d wager someone in your family owned an Astra or you know someone who did.
But in recent years Astra has slipped to 184th in the monthly charts.
Why?
The rise of SUVs and cheap Chinese imports, mostly. But also rubbish marketing. It hasn’t had the love it needs.
Maybe things are about to change.
Vauxhall is now playing heavily on its Britishness by backing Team GB through to the LA 2028 Olympics. That’s a good start.
There’s a modern in-car feel with plenty of space Credit: Supplied
Astra gives you everything you need from a family car Credit: Supplied
Bosses are constantly chipping away at cost to stay competitive.
Also good.
So now you pay the same price whether you go hatchback or estate, petrol hybrid, plug-in hybrid or pure electric.
Actually, the EV currently has a £1,500 discount thanks to the electric car grant.
Just the other day, Vauxhall reintroduced a six-speed manual that lowers the starting price even further, to £26,495 or £296 a month with zero per cent finance.
There’s a sporty “GSE Line” in the pipeline too.
What about the car itself?
I reckon it’s the best it has ever been. Looks sharp. Drives nicely. Modern in-car feel with plenty of space.
Cheap to run. Everything you need from a family car.
Sadly, we don’t make Astra in Britain any more. But the chief designer is a Brit and he knows what we like.
We like things to be simple and straightforward.
Big, clear graphics showing speed and range, buttons for volume and air con, comfy seats.
There’s a 2cm groove running down the middle of the front seats to stop your bum going numb on long drives.
The Ultimate trim adds massaging seats, head-up display and Intelli-Lux HD headlights which project a carpet of light 400 metres ahead.
That’s as good as anything the Germans or Chinese do.
In an Astra.
Go and have a butcher’s.
VAUXHALL has already started supporting Team GB stars with cars in their favourite colour . . . GOLD. Here’s gymnast Jake Jarman, diver Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix and track cyclist Emma Finucane. Jake said: “I passed my driving test in my Nan’s Astra. It means a great deal that Vauxhall is now supporting Team GB.”
Team GB stars gymnast Jake Jarman, diver Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix and track cyclist Emma Finucane with a gold in their favourite colour Credit: Unknown
KEY FACTS: VAUXHALL ASTRA
Price: £26,495
Engine: 1.2-litre turbo petrol
Power: 130hp
0-62mph: 9.7 secs
Top Speed: 130mph
Economy: 50mpg
CO2: 127g/km
Out: Now
