Holden Astra vs Mini 5D Hatch
What's the difference?

Holden Astra

$4,500 - $20,990

2018 price

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Mini 5D Hatch

—

2020 price

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Maserati Quattroporte

Mazda 2

Mazda 3

Mazda 6

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz A35

Mercedes-Benz A45

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz EQS

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Summary

2018 Holden Astra

2020 Mini 5D Hatch

By Peter Anderson

By Andrew Chesterton

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 1.4L

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

5.8L/100km (combined)

6.0L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Good to drive
Good looking
Well-specced

Potent engine
Tons of grip
Funky cabin ambience

Dislikes

Missing rear seat amenities
Smallish fuel tank
Awkward pedal position

Ride can be harsh
Jittery drive experience
Cabin tech overly user friendly

2018 Holden Astra Summary

Holden's current Astra is the second go the car has had in this country, after first being badged an Opel to the sounds of crickets from the buying public. That hubristic exercise was followed by a brief withdrawal from the Australian market before returning, rather more sensibly badged (and sensibly-priced) as a Holden.

It chugged along quite nicely in 2017. It didn't break any records, no, but regularly broke the 1000 units per month mark to end up with about five percent of the small car market, which it shares with some serious competition from Europe and Japan.

The + in R+ means more safety, but also more money. Safety is good, but do you get anything else for your money?

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2020 Mini 5D Hatch Summary

That the 2020 Mini Clubman John Cooper Works is the most powerful Mini to have landed in Australia isn’t all that surprising. After all, parent company BMW has squeezed the thumping four-cylinder engine from the M135i under its bonnet, and that thing creates a snarling beast of any vehicle it finds a home in.

What is a surprise, though, is that having now driven this angry, crackling, snarling hot hatch, what with its burbling exhaust and properly rapid acceleration, is that it took Mini this long to get around to doing it.

So does the engine upgrade now put the Clubman JCW on the same pedestal as the best European hot hatches? There's only one way to find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2018 Holden Astra 2020 Mini 5D Hatch

Verdict

The Astra's biggest problem is probably the Holden badge. Despite the company's best efforts, some buyers are wary of the company's longevity and some of the other cars in the range do the Astra no favours - Trax, Colorado and Barina feel cheap, because they are. The Astra isn't cheaply made and holds up very well in excellent company.

Verdict

The Mini Clubman JCW is quirky in a lot of the right ways, and now has a hard-charging engine to up the adrenalin factor. If you were already sold on the idea of joining the Clubman club, this one will steal your heart more than any other.

Holden Astra vs Mini 5D Hatch What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Holden Astra vs Mini 5D Hatch
What's the difference?