2005 Holden Astra Reviews

Before the Global Financial Crisis triggered a move by Holden to source cars from Korea the German designed, Europe-built Astra was one of its most popular small cars.It arrived here in 1996 and quickly established its credentials against the leading small car models.The all-new AH Astra was a stylish, small front-wheel drive car with a range of models, including a sporty coupe, a practical hatch, a wagon, a hot turbo, and a convertible.With its European roots the Astra delivered on the expectations of a dynamic drive for those who wanted to enjoy the journey.An extensive range of body styles promised a model for everyone, no matter their needs and wants.High on practicality, the five-door hatch and wagon were the family choices.The coupe was aimed at those who sought a stylish ride and didn’t have a tribe to transport; it had the looks to impress, but would only take four adults.For those who wanted a more thrilling ride when they got behind the wheel there was the SRi, which came with a regular four-cylinder engine and a turbocharged version as well.There was also a good choice of variants, with the CD kicking things off and the CDX and CDXi offering plenty of features, and the SRi hot hatch with all you could want plus the performance punch of the turbocharged engine.Given its position at the entry-point to the model range the CD was quite well equipped. Included in a relatively long list of standard features was a CD player, MP3 compatibility, and seven-speaker sound, air conditioning, tilt and reach adjustment for the steering column, remote keyless central locking, adjustable headlights, multi-function control panel, multi-function steering wheel, power mirrors, power front windows, speed dependent stereo volume, and cloth trim. Metallic paint was available as an option.The CDX was even better equipped, adding 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, CD stacker, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, power rear windows, and a trip computer to the CD’s list.It was a similar tale with the CDXi, which in addition to the features of the CDX also had climate control air conditioning, sports front seats, sports steering wheel, and specific trim.A diesel option was added in 2006 with the arrival of the CDTi, which was similarly equipped to the CDXi.The hot SRi was also added to the range in 2006. Available as a hatch or coupe it was powered by a 2.0-litre turbo four and had either a six-speed manual gearbox or four-speed automatic transmission.In keeping with its sporting pretentions the SRi came standard with lowered sports suspension, a leather sports steering wheel, sports pedals, roof-mounted rear spoiler, premium sound system, leather trim, and a space-saver spare tyre.Fresh air fiends were able to get into a convertible in the form of the 'Twin Top' in 2006.It had a folding steel roof for the convenience of a hardtop and the fun of a soft-top, and came with a 2.2-litre engine and manual gearbox or automatic transmission.Being of an age before the digital revolution the AH Astra didn’t have many of features regarded as essential today.Missing from its kit of tricks were things like Bluetooth, it wasn’t possible to sync an iPhone or Android device, sat nav wasn’t offered, and while there was a control panel it wasn’t a touch screen.Similarly you wouldn’t find a reversing camera, parking sensors, a park assist system, or a sunroof.Being European the cabin was well laid-out and all controls fell readily to hand.The basic trim was cloth, but some higher level models had leather as standard.There was good head and legroom in the front, the driver’s visibility was good, and even those if the rear found themselves quite confortable.Overall the cabin was comfortable, appealing and quiet, with little road noise to bother the inner calm.Depending on the model, cupholders were provided in the front and rear.With 350 litres of cargo space when the rear seat was up, and 1270 litres when it was down there was plenty of space to carry luggage in the hatch.The bulk of the AH range had a 1.8-litre fuel-injected double overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine.It ran on regular 91-octane unleaded petrol, and at the time of introduction put out 90kW at its power peak and 165Nm of torque at its maximum. That was increased to 103kW/170Nm in 2007.Holden answered the call for a diesel in 2007 and released the option of a 1.9-litre overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine.At its performance peaks it put out 88kW (118 horsepower) and 280Nm of torque.The SRi came complete with a choice of the regular 2.2-lire four-cylinder engine with 110kW (147 horsepower) and 210Nm, or the sizzling turbocharged 2.0-litre engine with 147kW (197 horsepower) and 262Nm.The downside of the turbo engine is that it ran on 95-octane premium unleaded.When the convertible arrived in 2007 it had the 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine.The transmission choices were a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic transmission, and all were front-wheel drive.Diesels and the SRi had a six-speed manual gearbox.Europeans place a high regard on handling and performance and the AH Astra didn’t disappoint on either front.With MacPherson strut front suspension, and also independent rear suspension, the AH handled well exhibiting good grip and balance when cornering, and the ride was comfortable without being soft or soggy.The SRi Turbo hot hatch set the mark for performance in the range, but even the lesser, smaller engine cars were impressively speedy.The CD and CDX had a good array of safety features, with lap/sash seats belts in all five seating positions; the front belts had pretensioners and load limiters as well.There were also front and side airbags for the driver and front passenger.Active safety features included ABS braking and emergency brake assistance.The CDXi and CDTi had the additional safety of head airbags for those in the front and rear seats, and traction control.Electronic stability control was a feature of the SRi Turbo.Lap/sash seat belts in the rear allow the use of a baby car seat, but there were no ISOFIX mounts.The earliest examples of the AH are now 14 years old, which makes them old and more likely to have problems from normal wear and tear.When buying an older car it’s important to understand that it is just that, old, it’s not new, so it will have problems a new car won’tAnyone buying an AH Astra with the 1.8-litre petrol, or 1.9-litre diesel engine needs to be aware that the engines have cam timing belts, which need to be changed regularly. Ignoring the change is risking serious engine damage should a belt brake, as many did in the previous model.Check for signs of a hard life when driving a turbocharged SRi, smoke from the tailpipe under hard acceleration is a good indicator of wear.A service record is a must. It gives a good indication of a caring owner, and alternatively if the servicing has been neglected one that doesn’t care.Capped price servicing didn’t apply to the AH, but service costs are not excessive. The service interval is 15,000 km or 12 months.The Astra was generally well built and shouldn’t squeak or rattle to any major degree. If squeaks and rattles can be heard it could indicate the car has been in a crash.Being a relatively old model now it’s a good idea to look for the external signs of crash repairs in the form of misaligned panels or mismatched paint.Shop around for one that hasn’t done a lot of kilometres, has been regularly serviced, and appears to have been well looked after.The new car warranty on the AH was three years/100,000 km, but that’s well and truly expired.MORE: If anything crops up, you’ll probably find it on our Holden Astra problems page.Allan Caplan: Our AH wagon was 10 years old when we bought it in 2016 and had done 160,000 km. It’s been a good car, reliable, and cheap to run.Phil Ward: We’ve had our 2007 CDX wagon for more than 10 years. It’s easy to park, handles well, has a large boot space, and in that time it has been very reliable.Nicole Jenner: I’ve got a 2007 CD hatch and find it zippy, reliable, and economical. It’s a great car.Sarah Roberts: We bought our 2005 CD hatch new. It’s the best little car we’ve ever had, it handles like a dream, is economical, and its reliability has been commendable. The only problem is the paint, which is sunburnt and patchy.Honda CivicA small car class leader with quality, reliability, and performance.Hyundai ElantraGood value for money and standing the test of time well.Mazda3Perennial class favourite. Ticks all the boxes.Safe, sound and reliable, but it must be in good condition.

Holden Astra is a small medium car that was popular in Australia for many years.

There's more to producing a convertible than chopping the roof off a sedan or coupe. The steel roof forms a vital part of a car's structure, giving it strength and rigidity, and that strength has to be replaced somehow once the roof is removed. Dash or scuttle shake is often a sign of a lack of strength in a soft top, and a measure of the amount of development that's gone into the body.A car that exhibits scuttle shake, evidenced when the dash area shakes or vibrates, can be a most annoying vehicle to drive. The Astra convertible is pretty good in that respect. The body is quite tight and shows no real evidence of scuttle shake, even with quite a few kilometres under its belt.Another challenge convertible designers always face is how to make the end result look good with the top raised. The Astra also fares well in this respect.The Astra sedan and coupe were good-looking cars to start with so the basics were there, and designer Bertone did a good job in slicing the roof off and producing a new roof so that it looks good with the roof up or down.The Astra's top goes up or down at the touch of a switch, or remotely by the key, and disappears under a hatch at the back. It not only works well, it is triple insulated and has an electrically-heated glass rear window so it feels much like a sedan or coupe once the roof is raised. Like all convertibles, the Astra rag top sits atop the Astra range but also comes fully equipped to ease the price pain: leather sports seats, airconditioning, cruise, trip computer, power windows and mirrors and a CD player with steering wheel controls.The engine is a 2.2-litre double overhead cam 16-valve four-cylinder producing 108kW at 5800 revs and 203Nm at 4000 revs. From 2003 there was a choice of a 2.0-litre turbo, which gave 147kW at 5600 revs and 250Nm at 1950 revs. Standard transmission is a five-speed manual with the option of a four-speed auto.With any convertible its important to listen for body rattles that might show that it's loosening with age, or more seriously, that it's suffered a crash. Make sure the roof goes up and down with no jerking or misalignment. Check that it operates with the button in the car and remotely with the key.Closely inspect the roof inside and out for damage such as tears or folds that will need repairs down the road. Body damage can also affect the smooth function of the roof, so look for ill-fitting boot lids and doors, etc.Mechanically, the Astra convertible is pretty much the same as any Astra.The 2.2-litre engine has a chain for the camshaft drive so it doesn't have to be replaced like the belt on the regular Astra.The turbo engine does have a belt, so be aware it needs to be replaced regularly. Brake wear can also be a headache on Astras, as it is on all European cars. Be prepared to replace disc rotors and brake pads quite regularly - about every 60,000km on average.The Astra convertible is well-equipped when it comes to the crunch. It has front airbags for the driver and front-seat passenger and front side airbags as well, with reinforced A-pillars and padded roll bars behind the rear seats for protection in the event of a rollover. Dynamically, it has anti-skid brakes, traction control and electronic stability control - the first time such a system was used on a Holden.

I can say that because earlier this year I tested the top-of-the-line five-door Astra hatch CDXi, and while it was modern, motivated and even slightly edgy, the new shape didn't grab me. Until now.Here, the coupe doesn't have the two rear passenger doors which, to me, only made the new-shape Astra hatch look average. But take them away and you're left with a sexier shape. More racy and more fun.And the gold-green colour is fab, too. It's fresh, clean and expensive-looking and reminds me rather of a good vintage champagne.A drive in the CDXi was buttery smooth and it was a road-hugger, and a trip to Cape Jervis found nothing changes with the CD coupe. There's easy transition through the five gears, a gutsy 1.8-litre engine and fluid brakes with ABS for safety.The grey-black interior has practical, low-maintenance cloth seats and a simple dash but with easy-to-read, large buttons for the single CD, heating and radio.Volume/tuning controls on the steering wheel are handy and the sound from the Blaupunkt CD/MP3 player is topnotch. Not so good is the placement of the ignition and the indicator lever. They are in the normal place, but because the key is so chunky, I almost knocked it out of the ignition several times when I flicked the indicator.The trip computer, however, makes up for any disappointments telling the time, radio station and outside temperature.Luckily the climate control works brilliantly and I had to make use of the aircon after I'd toasted myself a little too much. It's all about balance I worked out later.Speaking of balance, dual airbags keep both driver and passenger secure – if the need arises – but the Astra feels safe for a smallish car.I say small, but interior-wise it's roomy enough in the front to stretch your legs and, yes, there's still enough space in the back to fit a couple of littlies. Adults might find it a bit squeezy though. The seats are firm but comfy.Admittedly, the Astra CD doesn't have all the extras, and more storage and seating room would be nice at times. But this is the kind of car that is a little bit speccy, sexy and a little bit special. Who needs a bigger, boring car when you can have one with a sexy, zippy personality? I know which I'd choose.Holden Astra Coupe five-speed manualThe colour, the coupe shape.Power and tinted windows.Rear light over the licence plate is handy for night-time shopping.Door handles are too far forward to open the wide doors with ease.Chunky key.A cup holder in the glove compartment?

The car comes out of Europe where the category for smart, stylish sporty coupe small cars has come on strongly. In Europe, like other Astras, this car wears Opel and Vauxhall badges. The factory in Antwerp in Belgium puts on some Holden badges and nameplates for the cars sent here – and Australian buyers are the beneficiaries.To many people, the three-door hatchback was the best looking of the now-retired TS Astra range. But this new three-door hatchback of the current AH Astra range can use the word coupe with greater justification.The Astra coupe is based on the AH Astra five-door hatchback and up to the windscreen it is the same. From there back, it becomes a whole lot more sporty, featuring a sloping roofline. This means headroom in the back seat is 44mm less than the five-door but if you were going to carry adults in the rear often and/or on long journeys, you probably wouldn't buy a small coupe in the first place.Also, there is the added concern of passengers getting into and out of the rear. A simple catch on the front seat back allows them to flip forward and, once inside, rear legroom is tolerable for this type of car.The priority given to styling also means the boot is down on space – 302 litres compared with 345 litres for the five-door hatchback. But, as we proved, it is more than enough for a long weekend away for two and can be increased by the rear seatbacks folding forward.Inside, the driver can find a suitable position helped by height-adjustable seat and steering wheel. Like many coupes, over-the-shoulder vision is impaired but the shortness of the tail makes reverse parking no problem.The heater controls are difficult to read. They are set low and angled away from the driver. Current AH Astras have the turning indicator stalk on the right but it is a touch-control and one has to get used to its sensitivity (it's easy to flash the indicators when switching on the cruise control).The Astra does not get a temperature gauge nor cup holders if you don't count the door pockets. Also, the European-made Continental Premium Contact tyres conveyed obvious road noise on Aussie coarse-surfaced roads and much preferred smoother asphalt. The coupe carries a full-size spare wheel.But that's really getting out the magnifying glass to find those quibbles. Overall, the car is a little beauty. Like all Astras, it steers well, rides well and feels well engineered – certainly not tinny.The 1.8-litre engine remains from the TS Astra. It's a good honest worker. But while it once may have been a standard-setter its 90kW is not going to give a 1300kg car exciting performance. We've driven the manual gearbox Astra and found that has a bit more go than the automatic tested here. A turbocharged hot version of the coupe is on the way.Certainly, the Astra Coupe is great value. The CD version starts at $23,490 and brings 15in alloy wheels, dual front plus side impact airbags, ABS brakes, cruise control, power windows, airconditioning and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.The CDX from $25,990 gains 16in alloy wheels, leather seats, heated front sports seats (welcome on chilly mornings when leather is otherwise cold), leather-wrap steering wheel, trip computer, six-stack CD, premium speakers and illuminated vanity mirrors.The four-speed automatic is another $2000 on each car. We drove a CDX automatic on a trip to Mt Gambier and it did it with ease and excellent fuel economy. After getting 11.5 litres/100km in tight city and Hills driving, it then sipped just 6.7 litres/100km at sightseeing speeds. Even sitting at 110km/h on the return trip, we averaged 7.6 litres/100km. The automatic needs 2750rpm at 110km/h.Astra Coupe is a fine car to drive – and to be seen in – and is very well equipped for the price. If you want the go to match the show, the more expensive 147kW SRi turbo coupe will be here next year.SMALL TORQUEHolden Astra Coupe CDXPrice: $25,990 plus $2000 for automaticEngine: Four-cylinder, dohc, 1796ccPower: 90kW @ 5600rpmTorque: 165Nm @ 3800rpmTransmission: Five-speed manual or four-speed automatic; front-wheel-driveBrakes: All discs, fronts ventilated, ABSDimensions: 4250mm long, 1753mm wide, 1435mm high; 1296kg (automatic)Wheels/tyres: (CDX) alloy 16 x 6.5; 205/55 tyresFuel: Regular unleaded, 52-litre tank; rated at 8.2 litres/100km. On test: (mostly country driving) 7.4 litres/100km

There must still be a market for one otherwise Holden wouldn't have bothered to include a wagon this time around either.Toyota's Corolla and the Mitsubishi Lancer are both available as wagons so that is probably reason enough – there's no point in handing sales to the opposition. Our main issue with this and other models in the Astra range is the smallish 1.8-litre engine. It gives away 20kW to the Toyota and 25kW to the Mitsu, but in the context of rising fuel prices the smaller donk may not be such a bad thing. Same 1.8-litre 16-valve DOHC four cylinder engine as the rest of the range. Puts out 90kW of power at 5600rpm and 165Nm of torque at 3800rpm. Ninety per cent of torque available between 2200 and 5500rpm. Fuel economy for the wagon is a claimed 7.9L/100km for the manual and 8.3L/100km for the auto. Tanks hold 52 litres and fractionally better power figures achieved with premium. Good mid to high range performance but lacks punch off the line. This is particularly noticeable with some passengers aboard. Our test car was the CDX manual which at 1325kg is second only to the auto in terms of weight and 82kg heavier than the manual coupe. Wagon is 266 mm longer than five-door hatch and 227 mm longer than the coupe. To handle increased load carrying require- ments, rear springs and dampers have been recalibrated and front anti-roll bar diameter increased. This provides optimum vehicle balance as the load increases. It is difficult to fault this car in the ride and handling department. It's a smooth operator that sits well in corners, unless you get carried away. Like the coupe can't get used to the blinker control arm being on the right hand side. Most Euros have it on the left by default as did the old model. Good news for music fans. CDX gets a premium Blaupunkt 6-stack seven speaker 130 watt sound system that supports MP3 playback from discs. Volume adjusts automatically with speed. No silly space saver. A full-size steel spare wheel, just the way we Aussies like it. Standard equipment includes includes 15-inch alloys, four airbags, ABS and brake assist, cruise control, power windows, heated power exterior mirrors, steering wheel- mounted audio controls and airconditioning. Same price as coupe. Astra Wagon CD is priced from $23,490 and CDX from $25,990.VERDICT: Better looking than the Corolla. But the Lancer is not a bad looking thing. Just a shame Holden hasn't gone for a bigger engine.

She's got beautiful curves and a great rear for a wagon and, let's face it, a wagon's backside is normally its downfall. But the wagon has worked hard on its appearance and has been given a good workout to match it with its competitors.Despite looking like a spacecraft – and that's probably not helped by its silver-grey colour – my first impression was "a classy chick".Of course, like the rest of you, I have been captivated by the SUV market. Heck, I even went out and bought one last month.Wagons? Well, they remind me of the '80s, when cashed-up parents arrived in their "stylish" wagons at primary school, while my mum's whistling Datsun 180B could be heard kilometres away.In the '90s, they took a back seat – excuse the pun – to sporty coupes, or any car that was red.In the '00s, they are fighting hard to maintain their spot in the starting line-up.Enter the Astra Wagon. It rides on the sporty Astra reputation but adds something – space. There's plenty of it, in the front, in the back seat and even in the cheeky rear. This new member of the Holden family is also practical. That's the new buzz word when you become a mother. "Practical" replaces "chic" and "style" is superseded by "comfort".The Wagon doesn't necessarily excite the driver, but more satisfies her. It's good on the juice, has not one but three anchor points for the baby seat, has durable seat covers and plenty of room.Storage, on the other hand, is lacking. Don't get me wrong – there is storage, but it's your basic kind. Zipping around in the city, I cranked up the stereo with the buttons on the steering wheel – conveniently placed for us girls who don't have time to muck around. Squeezing her body into the perfect parallel city car park was quite easy, although the back-seat headrest obscured the rear view.Still, I'm not fussy – that's probably why the Motoring Editor threw the wagon my way. Most of the other girl-torquers would have scoffed at it. And that, too, was probably the challenge for Holden's marketers.Seriously, how do you draw attention away from the in-vogue compact 4WDs?What about putting two naked people, wearing nothing but dorky sneakers, in the TV campaign? Would that grab your attention?Barely.Holden Astra four-cylinder, 2.2-litre manual wagonRoomyLights remain on for 30 seconds after you take the key from the ignitionEasy-to-use gear shift on the manual versionOnly front automatic windows on the CD versionLack of storageTouch-sensitive indicators

Love the styling but the car just needs a little more go and the 147kW turbocharged engine should be more than up to the job.In the meantime, there are few better looking hatches on the road. Not sure what makes it a coupe and not a three-door hatch. But only panels shared with the five-door hatch are the front bumper, front fenders and bonnet. 1.8-litre 16-valve DOHC four cylinder engine puts out 90kW of power at 5600rpm and 165Nm of torque at 3800rpm. Ninety per cent of maximum torque available between 2200 and 5500 rpm. Good mid range performance but lacks some punch off the line. Our test car was the CD manual which at 1243kg is the lightest of the lot and offers the power to weight ratio. Fuel economy for the coupe is a claimed 7.8L/100km for the manual and 8.2L/100km for the auto. Tanks hold 52 litres and fractionally better power figures achieved with premium. Rides and handles well. Throw it at a corner and this one won't bite back. Coupe gets lower ride height package, which includes modified damping rates for a more responsive, sports oriented handling. Very small rear window reduces vision. Large rear pillars and small rear side windows further reduce vision. As with most three-doors, the large front doors are heavy and open wide, requiring ample room when trying to access rear seat. No good for cramped garages. Rear seat access via tilt and slide front seats. Front seat slide mechanism is okay but can be tricky to operate especially seated in the back. Rear set leg room is not bad, but dark trim and small raised rear windows contribute to a claustrophobic feel. Good for two but would be squeezy with three in the back. Can't get used to the blinker control arm being on the right hand side with this model. Most Euros have it on the left by default as did the old model. Good news for music fans. Blaupunkt seven speaker 80 watt sound system supports MP3 playback from discs. Volume adjusts automati- cally with speed. No spacesaver. Full size steel spare wheel, just the way we Aussies like it. Standard equipment includes includes 15-inch alloys, four airbags, ABS and brake assist, cruise control, power windows, heated power exterior mirrors, steering wheel- mounted audio controls and air conditioning. Astra Coupe CD is priced from $23,490 and CDX from $25,990 

Actually, they will need to be better than just good to keep faith with the people who have bought the latest European-made small cars from GM Holden.The Barina, Astra and Vectra have done a lot to prove Holden has morphed into more than just a Commodore car company.But Holden has done a deal with Daewoo to boost the value of its baby Barina and the Astra-sized Viva, so it will shift emphasis from next month as the first rebadged compacts roll off the boat from South Korea.Where does that leave the latest Astra line-up? Sitting pretty, judging from a week with the new Astra wagon.We were captivated by the styling of the new Astra coupe. The all-round strengths of the wagon, and the practical back end on the pint-sized family friend, show how much the European newcomer has been improved.It's not the cheapest car in its class, but $23,490 is a good deal for a wagon clearly better than any of its direct rivals.It gives young couples with kids a realistic alternative to a city-style four-wheel-drive.The wagon and coupe stretch an Astra line-up that was revitalised last year with a full body swap and will eventually grow to include a turbo coupe early next year, then a convertible with folding metal roof.Holden says it maintains its commitment to the Astra, now its second-best-selling vehicle after the Commodore.It has allowed Holden to boost volume while waiting for the crucial compact 4WDs -- also coming from South Korea -- from the middle of next year.The Astra wagon has the same basic mechanical package as the rest of the family, though it has a wheelbase 89mm longer.Height is increased by 40mm and Holden says the carrying capacity is 454 litres, or 1549 with the rear seats folded.There is a touch-pad release for the rear door, a cargo cover, side storage compartments, a 12-volt socket and roof rails.There are two models, CD and CDX, but both come with front and side airbags, anti-skid brakes, front electric windows, CD sound and airconditioning.The CDX, from $25,990, picks up alloy wheels, cruise control, six-stack CD, trip computer and four electric windows.ON THE ROAD The best thing about the Astra wagon is obvious. It does not feel as if you are driving a wagon. The car rides tight and light, is quiet and comfy, gets along well enough, and is barely affected by weight in the tail -- unless you shop big and fill it.It is pretty much the way we remember the Astra hatch, though it does not turn heads like the coupe.We found plenty to like, from the engine response to the touch-pad release for the tailgate.And we even enjoyed the central controller for the CDX's trip computer and sound system, which was much more intuitive and straightforward than the BMW iDrive system that led us all into the world of computer-mouse-style electronics in cars.The problem for the Astra is that Australians have deserted the station wagon end of showrooms.They much prefer 4WDs, which means the new Holden is just as likely to be shopped against a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4 as the Mitsubishi Lancer and Toyota Corolla wagons that shape as its direct rivals.Holden is confident it can get plenty of customers for the car and it is definitely the new class leader, but we are not totally convinced.But there is no need to wonder when you're driving, because the Astra wagon is a very nice device. It is easy to park, has classy headlights, stops well and performs with plenty of perk.The CDX test car was loaded with everything you really need for enjoyable driving, particularly cruise control, effective air-con and punchy CD sound.We also liked the steering-wheel buttons for the sound system.The wagon tail is good, with a low loading lip and a fully flat floor.We threw in some bikes and also loaded the Astra for a trip to the tip, appreciating the fold-flat rear seats and the tie-down hooks.People on picnics will like the power socket and storage bins in the back and we can see some families using the roof racks.We took a while to adjust to the firm seats, and never really liked the austere look inside the cabin, but that was about it on the negative side of the balance sheet.

There is little difference between the top competitors in price, features and quality.You wouldn't be disappointed no matter which manufacturer you decided to support.The cars are so close that on the Car of the Year judging last year, this category had a split decision and the judges asked for extra time in the Mazda3, Golf 1.6 and Astra. The decision could have gone to any of the same-priced compacts.In the end, the Mazda won, but the Astra is just in front in the all-important sales war.Over two recent weeks I drove a couple of the Belgian-built five-door Astras, the mid-spec CDX and top-of-the-line CDXi, and came away impressed with the quality of the vehicle.I started my evaluation by drawing up a list of features I liked and didn't like. Let's start with the shortest list.I didn't like the cruise control which is on the end of indicator stalk. It's fiddly and difficult to use without accidentally switching on the indicators.I didn't like the steering-wheel mounted on-board computer control system.It resembles BMW's iDrive system and is about as useful.Many manufacturers are spending a lot of time and money trying to perfect these systems in an endeavour to simplify the many and complex controls.No one has done it right and this system is little better than BMW's. Both take your eye off the road for too long, are too difficult to learn and take too many steps to scroll through to the function you want.The final thing I didn't like was the lack of cupholders. But that's about it.I couldn't stop raving about:elegant exterior styling which looks as good coming as it does going;surprising level of performance even with the four-speed slush box;good feel from the electronic throttle;strong and progressive brakes;nifty lane-change indicators (and they're on the right which is an achievement for a left to right drive conversion);neutral handling save for a bit of torque steer that never hurt anyone, anyway;supportive seats which are especially big-bottomed in the rear compartment;full-sized spare tyre;plentiful legroom fore and aft; andthe class-leading quiet cabin attributable mainly to a good choice of tyres and quality sound damping, because the engine actually sounds quite loud when you are standing alongside. Almost a diesel clatter.The refinements make for a relaxed and comfortable drive. Can't wait for the new Astra shape derivatives to arrive in mid-July: The two-seat Tigra cabrio, three-door Astra SRi Turbo coupe hot hatch and five-door Astra wagon.