Model tested: Vauxhall Astra 1.6i 16v VVT
Price: £18,205
Date tested: October 2009
Road tester: Vijay Pattni

This is it - the big one. With over 40 years of 'compact car' history, the successor to the best-selling UK-built car in Britain has just launched - the sixth-generation Vauxhall Astra.

First impressions of the new Astra are striking - the front profile looks sleeker and smoother than its ungainly predecessor. The coupe-like roofline and smart side creases make for a distinctive and premium profile, complete with a handsome rear and chunky proportions.

Inside Job
The driver's dials are lit up by a pleasing ambient glow, while the central control unit and gearbox are sloped towards the central armrest to give the new Astra a comfortable and pleasing cabin.

It's a bit button-heavy, but simple to operate Cubby holes are dotted around the interior and the seats are supportive, sturdy and infinitely adjustable. The rear offers masses of space, and there's plenty of headroom.

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Chasing Cars
A pleasing start - so when we turned the key to the 1.6i VVT-engined SRi Astra, we were disappointed. The SRi badge has a lot of history behind it, once standing for lively, powerful engines and a sporting ride.

Now, Vauxhall whacks the badge onto anything with sports suspension - so the engine isn't necessarily 'sporting'...

The 1.6i naturally-aspirated engine produces 115bhp and 114lb/ft of torque to give a 0-60mph time of 10.9 seconds while returning 44.8mpg on the combined cycle.

In the real world, the engine is fine, but feels a little restrained. You have to thrash the unit before making meaningful progress, and it never seems to 'kick in', despite the variable valve timing. It's quick enough to get where you need to go, but not quick enough to be satisfying.

Ride On Time
Start making progress and you'll realise how grown up this new Astra is. The ride is supple and supportive without feeling soft while the steering is pleasing too.

The chassis comes with three suspension settings - Normal, Sport and Tour. Normal and Tour are perfectly judged for pootling around town, while Sport firms up the steering wheel and sharpens the acceleration.

The damping is fluid, body roll is controlled nicely, and the car feels reassuring. There's a tendency to understeer when pushed, but for the majority, this won't be a problem.

Overall, we were very impressed with the new Astra. It's smooth, refined, offers spirited sure-footed driving and looks the business. We'd need to spend a little longer behind the wheel for a definitive verdict, but we think this new Astra is a very serious contender for the hatchback crown.