Advantages: Diesel engine so fuel economy is good. Much better styling inside and outside
Disadvantages: It's still a Corsa from Vauxhall, which means it's still by General Motors.

..., it was different somehow. The car had a different sort of styling to it, it had a different feel. The angled headlights made the car look angrier now, and the angled back made it look like a sports coupe. The alloys actually looked like they were the right size for the car and the backend didn’t look bad either, but it still has an unnecessary spoiler. I was thoroughly surprised, a Vauxhall Corsa that was actually pretty nice to look at. My mate then got out of his car, walked up to me with a slight swagger, and smiled at my surprised face. “It is a Corsa that is, and it is a SXi. But this is the new Corsa SXi CDTi 1.3l 16v 90ps.” For those that don’t know what that meant, he was boasting about his Corsa being the ‘sport’ model, which if you have read my previous review, I slated immensely. But this was a different sort of Corsa, it was a CDTi... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Value for money, performance is great, economical in fuel, tax and insurance
Disadvantages: Not for the image conscious

...I recently bought this car and it is certainly a winner in my view. I previously owned a VW Golf, 1.9 TDI, and was tempted to by another one because it was a good motor. I was recomended an Astra and thought I may as well test drive it, what harm was there. I booked a drive and was instantly impressed. I not only found that this car handled just as well as the golf but also matched its performance (in terms of handling and response). I recently changed jobs and needed a newer car and being on a budget I knew that if I was to buy another Golf it would be older and I just wanted the reliability of a warranty. Just something to stop me worrying should something go wrong. The Astra Design has the added benefit is more luxurious than the standard spec Golf, or equivalent class of vehicle. The design comes with half leather, sports... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Nice styling, outstanding drive and handling, good quality interior!!
Disadvantages: Finicky new toys, 1.6 lacks real muscle and Vauxhall badge!!

...Test Model Vauxhall Astra 1.6 16v SXI Reg no: BF55 FYP UK model RHD Mileage 5912 Actual 0-60: 9.6 Printed max speed: 115 mph Printed economy: 32.8mpg urban Actual economy: 25mpg The new generation Astra has gone through a complete revamp since its ageing predecessor, both externally and internally there are very few features kept from the previous shape. The main improvement overall is the driving experience which has been improved by 80%. The New Astra is a beautiful looking car in sport hatch form and in 5 door form (like the one I tested) is still sporty looking, especially with alloys and front spot lights. As mentioned before the similarities between the previous Astra and the new generation one is minimal, Vauxhall choosing more sporty and dramatic lines to complement the cars shape. Have to say I am no big fan... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great drive
Disadvantages: Economy suffers when driven hard.

...I had a couple of these as hire cars, covering about 15000 miles over 6 months. They were pre-facelift models (04 and 54 reg). If I was in the market to buy a car in this class. this would be a sure contender. The SRi badge is probably pushing things a little. I always associated SRi's with BIG engines, and certainly not diesels! However, while the diesel (150ps) does a good job, I have to say the handling is the thing that justifies that Sri badge. The car feels really safe cornering and in general driving situations. While the Vectra has yet to reach the NCAP safety ratings of 5* acheived by manufacturers such as Renault, I would suggest that improved handling offered by a Vectra over a competetive model would actually reduce your need for this higher rating. I always felt that I could fully trust the brakes on the Sri, which I... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Performance, spec, reasonable insurance
Disadvantages: Some think the looks are too conservative

...Please humour me as what I am going to do here is actually a review of the Astra 2.0 SRi 16v, but hopefully you will still find it useful. This is the model I have and Ciao don’t seem to have included it on their list of Astras so I’m sticking it under the 2.2 ok?!! Anyway it is basically the same car as the 2.2, just with an ever so slightly smaller engine. I purchased my Astra SRi about a year ago. This was from a Vauxhall dealer I found in Slough after doing a used car search on Vauxhall’s very helpful website. I had decided on the Astra as both the Golf GTi and Peugeot 206 GTi had very similar performance as the Astra but much higher insurance groups. (The Astra 2.0 SRi is Group 11). The price of £11,000 I thought was quite reasonable for a sports model that was just over a year old and only had 8,000 miles... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Comfortable, looks great, VERY economical
Disadvantages: Can be too "electronic"

...My dad had a choice of new company cars. These ranged from the Vauxhall Corsa and Ford Fiesta through the Vauxhall Astra and Ford Focus to the Vauxhall Vectra and Ford Mondeo. In the end, he decided to go for the Vauxhall Astra Club 1.7 CDTI (100 HP) hatchback in pearlescent black paint. First impressions are great. It's a fantastically good looking car and bears a resemblance to the new VW Golf. The interior styling is very modern and it feels quite solid - a world away from the previous Astra which was dull and boring. The seats are supportive and comfortable - I drove 250 miles and got out of the car as comfortable as if I'd just popped up to the shops. The equipment levels are very good with electric front windows, air-con and alloy wheels standard on the Club. It can be too electronic at times - turning on the headlights... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: goodlooking, sexy, excellent ride ;-)
Disadvantages: common!

...control key once, it locks the car, press it again and the car deadlocks. Electronic engine deadlock immobiliser Locking wheel bolts - (don't lose the key for these as you need it when you get your tyres changed!) ~ Engine ~ Now this is the complicated part! I have 1.6i 16v ECOTEC-4 twinport petrol (1598cc), which means: Max power: 103PS (76 KW) @ 6000 rpm Max torque: 147Nm (108 lb. ft) @ 3600 rpm Emissions: Euro 4 emission compliant Max speed: 117 mph (which of course I've never done….) 0.60 mph in 10.5 seconds ~ The ride ~ The Astra is extremely comfortable the seats have lumber support and the headrest is adjustable so when you are sat in traffic (bored) there is somewhere to rest you head! The steering wheel is a nice size not too skinny and not too big, the horn is on both sides of the wheel for easy access... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Space age looks (New Model 2004) Great Engine. Quality interior. Equipment
Disadvantages: Driving position. Ride & handling.

...It is difficult to believe, but the "new" Astra has been on the market now for over a year. It has undoubtedly made quite an impression. Looking quite revolutionary after the last Eurobland Astra model, I am actually having a job bringing its appearance to mind now, so forgettable was the styling. Having driven one or two of them over the last three or four years I am unfortunately also at a loss to recall to myself, let alone to you here just how it drove. Therefore the verdict on the last Astra has to be average but forgettable. It was not always thus. Vauxhall swing from modern avant guarde to bland with each successive mark of this particular car. The Mk 1 was a decent enough car but looked boxy and uninspiring, it was a cracking good drive in its day, especially the 1.8 GTE model. The Mk 2 was revolutionary. The smooth flowing... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Smooth ride, fuel economy.
Disadvantages: Poor visibility from rear, slightly noisy engine.

...driving up and down the coast for 3 days the needle on the fuel gauge still read full. At first I thought the gauge had a fault but it seems that Vauxhall's claims of 70 MPG might be correct after all. So overall an enjoyable 3 days renting Vauxhall's new baby, and a pleasant experience. A few negative points however. Poor visibility out of the rear window when reversing. Slightly noisy engine. The positives however out weigh the negatives. The ride is smooth and it's nippy. The fuel economy however on the new Corsa is amazing and the most outstanding feature. If you do a lot of town driving then this is ideal. You can save hundreds of pounds a year depending on the mileage you do. Insurance group is very low also 3 or 4 and prices start at £11500 for the SXi 1.3 CDTi 90 model. Definitely one to put on your short list if you have... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Cheap, Very Reliable, Carry Large Loads, Safety
Disadvantages: Fuel Economy is Poor while the HI TORQ claim is false advertising, Security

...a banger you need only third party which is an advantage. With 3 years no claims last year cost £290 after shopping around. Security does not apply to this car. In fact the only car with worst security is the older mark 2 Astra. I believe a survey found that the expert thief could get in and away within 10 seconds. I have had no problems although I use two locks - one over the steering wheel and one over the gear stick. Road Tax is £115 for 12 months CONCLUSION A great car that is a true utility vehicle. When my current one dies I will replace it with the same make, mark and model but I may go for the 1.6 16v litre engine which has better fuel economy but a great deal more power.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful