2005 Holden Astra Reviews

In this case, I'm talking about Holden's Astra. I loved the last model's flat rear, but now things have gone futuristic and curvaceous. It seems that's the trend, curvy lines and big bumpers.But I'm not convinced the new shape is better than the old. Perhaps I'm being too superficial here, as looks aren't everything.Especially when the test car, the top-of-the-line Astra CDXi, came with a host of inclusions to sway me. Sports styling, projector headlights and 16in alloys. Smartly dressed black leather, electronic climate control, cruise, electronic trip computer ... All very cool.Even so, it did take me a few days to warm to the Astra. I was driving along when all of a sudden I started to get hot. Really hot. I looked over to my passenger, who was grinning madly. A quick scan of the dash and I flicked off the seat warmer button that I hadn't noticed was there.Now it's not that I'm not observant or that it took me four days to discover these gadgets, but there are so many knobs and buttons in the Astra that I still don't know what half of them were for. There are nine buttons alone to preset radio stations.Then there are numerous buttons for the stereo/CD, and none of them giving away which ones operate what. Never mind, because the Blaupunkt sound system is brilliant.Unfortunately, and perhaps it was just me, I found the five-speed Astra wasn't happy in lower gears – it stuttered a bit in first and second, making ungracious sounds.But moving up the gears, it quietened down. And once it got going, I couldn't fault the Astra – it is flawless and nimble, and the 1.8 litre delivers plenty of power.Now, while I'm still on the gears, there is an awkward feature. The gearstick. Two things struck me straight off – its odd, chunky shape and that reverse is next to first gear.You have to lift a lever at the back of the gearstick to lock it into reverse. It took me three attempts to master.The chunky gearstick was awkward to grip, and maybe that explains why it was stuttering in lower gears. But in the end, it was like all new things and just a case of getting used to something different. And by different, I don't necessarily mean bad. In fact, now I'm quite fond of it. Pity I had to give it back.

Styling is on the money, with the cute-as-a-button Euro-flavoured hatch attracting blanket praise.This Astra has improved in some areas and stalled in others.Exterior styling, albeit a subjective area, is a winner and the interior is fresher.However, there are some areas that need addressing, not the least being the old 1.8-litre Ecotec four-cylinder engine which is retained for the incoming Astra.Once the revs rise it has a tendency to stick on its engine speed even if the driver eases off the throttle.It's not a particularly safe characteristic and can catch people out.It tends to happen when the revs rise beyond 4000rpm and while many people will be pottering around below that the trait of this powerplant is that it needs a dig in the ribs to stir it into action.This is not the only flaw with the AH Astra.As in the previous TS model, the cruise control function is located at the tip of the indicator stalk but can be a bit fiddly to activate.It is not hard to inadvertently trigger the indicators.Particularly when the cruise proves cumbersome or, as this driver found on a few occasions, did not want to work and would only come on once the engine was switched off and turned on again.Aside from the aforementioned niggles this Astra has a lot of street cred and is as agile and competent as its predecessor.The chassis feels tight and confident, which is duplicated in its predictable and solid handling manners.Comfort levels vary from model to model.The seats in the CDXi are more comfortable and supportive than the base CD and there is a more upmarket sound system.Which also begs a word of warning.Never leave the car unlocked with the in-dash stacker full of CDs.You can operate the sound system and remove the discs without putting a key in the ignition.Fuel economy in a mixed bag of a test with a variety of different roads was about 8.4litres/100km, which is reasonable but below 8litres/100km, depending on conditions, is quite realistically achieved.Despite some of its flaws the new Astra is a welcome addition and further dates the TS version which has served Holden so admirably in image and sales since 1998.And if you rarely, if at all, use cruise control and you like to keep engine revs below 4000rpm then the Astra is a fine catch.