Holden Astra CD 2008 review

Holden Astra has become Australia's best-selling European import for good reason - and the best-looking, best-value version arguably is the Astra CD Coupe.

The Astra range of four-cylinder small cars is comprehensive. It starts at $21,990 for the CD five-door hatchback, although price reductions often are offered.

The range includes the five-door hatchback, a stretched-wheelbase station wagon, a three-door coupe and goes to the $47,490 Twin-Top Convertible. It covers standard CD, better equipped CDX and the overtly sporty SRi models.

Explore the 2008 Holden Astra range

• Holden Astra CD 2008 review
• Holden Astra 2008 review

And it includes four engines - a standard 1.8-litre, more beefy 2.2-litre, a turbocharged two-litre pocket rocket (all petrol) and a 1.9-litre turbocharged diesel. Five engines, if you count the different states of tune of the diesel for manual and for automatic cars.

In the previous TS Astra, the three-door coupe was the best looking. It's the same again in this AH series. The coupe sits low, with an almost fastback-style rear bodywork, but still has the practicality of a hatch.

As tested, the Astra CD coupe costs just $23,990 for the five-speed manual, a good gearbox to use with a light clutch and certain gearshift. A four-speed automatic is another $2000.

For $23,990, you get airconditioning, 15in alloy wheels, ABS disc brakes, remote central locking, cruise control (albeit fiddly to use) and a seven-speaker sound system with steering-wheel controls.

There is little obvious corner cutting to get it down to this price; it even has a gas-strut bonnet and touch-pad hatch release. The downside of the sloping rear and small rear window is the restricted rear vision for the driver.

Parking sensors would help but they are unavailable as a factory-fitted option.

The Coupe sits lower and has a firmer, more sporty suspension than the hatchback or wagon.

It doesn't mind a bit of press-on driving on twisting roads. yet the 195/65 tyres have sensibly sized sidewalls so there's little harshness over potholes and ridges.

The steering wheel has height and reach adjustment and the seats are comfortable yet supportive. The driver's seat can be adjusted for height.

The front seat backs tip forward and the seat slides ahead to allow access to the rear. Headroom is adequate in the rear for average-size adults but remember this is a coupe and based on a small car.

Astra Coupe is 4250mm long and 1753mm wide.

The standard 1.8-litre engine is stronger than before - now 103kW of power at 6300rpm, which is a welcome 11kW more, and a touch more torque, now 175Nm.

The Coupe meets Euro IV emission standards.

There's not much urge below 2000rpm but between 2000rpm and 3000rpm, the Coupe has brisk enough acceleration without needing to thrash the car.

The official fuel economy is 7.4 litres/100km. At 110km/h, it cruises at 3200rpm in fifth gear.

Even the CD version comes with driver and passenger front airbags and front side impact bags (upper models also get curtain airbags).

The usual Astra complaints remain; no temperature gauge, no cup holder, and some road noise intrudes.

This is a good-looking, excellent value and economic Euro-built car that is pleasant to drive in city traffic or Hills and country.