The Vauxhall Astra is a dramatic model from the revived British marque. The humdrum style of its worthy-but-dull predecessor is out, and in its place comes a really dynamic design. The latest Vauxhall Astra – introduced in 2021 – is one of the most exciting and vibrant cars on the hatchback market.
It’s more than just a pretty face, though. The interior is cutting-edge, while the latest super-efficient petrol and diesel engines are paired up with a fuel-sipping plug-in hybrid that can cover well over 40 miles in pure electric mode before needing to be recharged. There's also a full-electric model with a 258-mile range.
There's no shortage of rivals to the Vauxhall Astra with the most popular the Ford Focus, the quality Volkswagen Golf and the SEAT Leon.
The latest Vauxhall Astra is certainly a standout model – just the sort of thing to draw back family car buyers from the stylish SUVs they’ve been won over by in recent years. The Vauxhall Astra also costs less than an SUV alternative and is just as practical inside, along with being much more dynamic to drive.
Its distinctive appearance is marked out at the front by the ‘Vauxhall Vizor’ black panel, which stretches the full width between the headlights. Behind this is hidden all the car’s active safety technology, enabling the rest of the front end to be clean and simple.
The interior is modern, with the Vauxhall ‘Pure Panel’ layout seeing most of the switches and buttons ditched. It’s all very sophisticated and the infotainment system is packed with features. Rear-seat space is OK and the boot is a good size, although it does shrink in plug-in hybrid and full-electric guise.
The PHEV Vauxhall Astra, called Plug-in Hybrid-e, has a 43-mile pure electric range, which means plenty of everyday EV motoring. Saying that, it’s fairly expensive to buy – so it’s a good job the regular petrol and diesel engines are decent, too.
There's also a full-electric model called, imaginitively, the Astra Electric, with a battery range of up to 258 miles.
There are three grades of new Vauxhall Astra, called Design, GS Line and Ultimate. They reflect Vauxhall’s new model naming strategy and they all boast plenty of showroom appeal.
If you haven’t considered a Vauxhall Astra in recent years, now’s the time to add it to your shortlist, alongside the Peugeot 308, the Hyundai i30 and others. It’s been reinvented, and is now once again an appealing and thoroughly competitive family hatchback contender. The design is genuinely distinctive, with a crispness and modernity that makes most other rivals seem ordinary. We like the high-tech interior too, even if there are a few too many hard plastics to give a fully premium feel.
It’s an engaging car to drive, with composed handling and a stable ride. Noise levels are low and even entry-level Design has enough equipment to keep you occupied. The Vauxhall Astra is back, as an interesting and dynamic choice in the ever-competitive family hatchback sector. Still want to pay extra for that SUV?
A Vauxhall Astra not for you? We've got 1000s of used cars for sale to suit all budgets and needs.
Even the entry-level Vauxhall Astra Design is pretty well kitted out so, if you're on a budget, don't feel like you're being tight by not stretching to more expensive models. That said, the majority of buyers are expected to opt for the mid-level Astra GS Line, and it probably is worth the extra cash for things like the 360-degree panoramic parking camera, adaptive cruise control and heated front seats.
In terms of engines, we wouldn't recommend the out-of-favour diesel unless you really do cover a lot of motorway miles. The 1.2-litre 130PS petrol will be ideal for a lot of buyers, and we reckon it's worth hunting out one with an automatic gearbox. As good as the plug-in hybrid Vauxhall Astra Hybrid-e is, it probably isn't worth the cash for private buyers.
Vauxhall Astra 1.2 110 Turbo petrol: A smooth 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo engine, the most affordable Astra engine produces 110PS for 0-62mph acceleration in 10.5 seconds. It averages 51.4mpg and emits 123g/km of CO2.
Vauxhall Astra 1.2 130 Turbo petrol: is a more powerful version of the 1.2-litre engine, cutting the 0-62mph time to 9.7 seconds. It has a little more pulling power and the option of an eight-speed automatic alongside the six-speed manual. Impressively, fuel economy matches the 110PS engine, as do CO2 emissions.
Vauxhall Astra 1.5 130 Turbo D diesel: The sole diesel-engined new Vauxhall Astra is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 130PS. Zero to 62mph takes 10.6 seconds, but it averages an impressive 62.8mpg and emits 118g/km CO2. It comes with either a manual or optional automatic transmission.
Vauxhall Astra 1.6 180 Turbo Plug-in Hybrid-e petrol: The plug-in hybrid Vauxhall Astra uses a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo engine and punchy electric motor, giving a total power output of 180PS. It’s easily the fastest Vauxhall Astra, with 0-62mph in 7.7 seconds. Yet, thanks to a 12.4kWh battery, it can drive up to 43 miles in pure electric mode, helping deliver CO2 emissions as low as 24g/km. Company car drivers will love it.
Vauxhall Astra Electric: The full-electric Astra has 156PS of power from its electric motor, which gets its energy from a 54kWh battery. That gives it a range of up to 258 miles on a single charge, and it'll hit 62mph from standstill in 9.2 seconds. As with all electric cars, CO2 emissions are zero.
The latest Vauxhall Astra is a design-led car with a crisp, modern appearance. This is reflected in its three high-spec trim levels, with even the entry-level Design boasting an eye-catching look.
The Vauxhall Astra Design has stylish full LED headlights and rear lamps, along with distinctive LED daytime running lights and alloy wheels. Inside, there’s electronic climate control and a dual-screen dashboard layout that Vauxhall calls Multimedia Pure Panel.
The Vauxhall Astra GS Line is a sportier variation with larger alloy wheels, bespoke front and rear bumpers, and a ‘black pack’ makeover outside and in. It has extra features such as dual-zone climate control, plus an ultra-comfortable ergonomically-approved sports seat for the driver.
The Vauxhall Astra Ultimate is the most well-equipped new Vauxhall Astra, with smart diamond-cut alloys, Alcantara (man-made suede) upholstery and a larger panoramic sunroof.
The Vauxhall Astra’s exterior dimensions are:
Length: 4374mm
Width: 1860mm
Height: 1441mm
Ground clearance: TBA
The Vauxhall Astra’s boot space is:
422 litres (Plug-in Hybrid-e and Electric: 352 litres)
1339 litres with rear seats folded (Plug-in Hybrid-e and Electric: 1268 litres)
You'll pay a flat rate of £180 a year to tax a Vauxhall Astra, £170/year for the Astra Hybrid-e and nothing for the Astra Electric – at least until 2025, when the tax rules for electric cars change.
Insurance ratings for the Vauxhall Astra start from group 16 (out of 50) for the 1.2 110 Turbo Design, with the 1.2 130 Turbo edging up to group 17. The Vauxhall Astra GS Line 1.2 130 Turbo is group 18, and the Ultimate version is group 20. The Vauxhall Astra 1.5 130 Turbo D Ultimate and GS Line manual both share a group 18 rating, with the Ultimate falling into group 21. The pricier, more powerful Vauxhall Astra plug-in hybrid versions start from group 26 for the GS Line, moving up to group 28 for the Ultimate. Electric models site in group 26.
Read our full Vauxhall Astra review