THERE was a very straightforward reason for the Holden Astra CDTi's inclusion in the CARSguide Car of the Year Award - and that's its diesel engine.
The stylish imported Astra is the first diesel passenger car to wear the badge of an Australian manufacturer in more than 20 years, a wise move by Holden, given the surge in popularity of diesel-powered vehicles amid rising fuel prices.
But the Astra is an attractive option for much more. It has the styling that will appeal to a wide range of car buyers and, at $29,990 for the six-speed manual, it is very competitive with European brands.
While the Astra lost points from most judges because of the amount of clatter transferred to the cabin, it did win favour for a good ride and handling package.
The six-speed manual proved popular and the rating of the car's on-road dynamics were generally positive. The Astra is a step in the right direction, but Holden still has some issues to overcome if it is to convince its core buyers in regard to its use of diesel.
