The Vauxhall Astra is a popular car available as a five-door hatchback or an estate (called Astra Sports Tourer). Now in its eighth generation, the Vauxhall Astra has been sold in the UK since 1980, with the current model going on sale in 2022. In all cases, the Astra offers excellent value for money, with lots of trims and engines to choose from.
The latest Vauxhall Astra was introduced in 2022, replacing a version that was on sale new from 2015 to 2022.
With the post-2022 Vauxhall Astra you have three trim levels to choose from: Design, GS and Ultimate. You also have a choice of petrol, plug-in hybrid and pure-electric power. The range also includes a performance version in the form of the GSe plug-in hybrid.
There are a lot of trim levels and engines to choose from if you’re considering a 2015-2022 Vauxhall Astra for sale, although the range was simplified as part of an update in 2019. The four core trim levels are, from the least to the most equipment included as standard, Business Edition Nav, SRi Nav, Griffin Edition and Elite Nav Premium.
There’s a lot of choice if you’re looking at a Vauxhall Astra that was sold new between 2016 and 2019. Fortunately, every version of this Vauxhall Astra for sale is well-equipped – even the entry-level Design trim has a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, air con, alloy wheels and cruise control. At the opposite end of the range, the Elite trim has heated leather seats in the front and back, a heated steering wheel, 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, two USB ports in the back and sat nav.
The range is easier to understand on cars registered between 2019 and 2022, with all models having alloy wheels, air con, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system and smartphone connectivity. The Elite Nav Premium is essentially a newer version of the old Elite trim, albeit with a pair of 8-inch displays.
The post-2022 Astra has a real high-tech look and feel and it’s even better-equipped – the entry-level Design trim includes a pair of 10-inch digital displays, climate control, 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control and front and rear parking sensors.
For maximum fuel economy you’ll want to look at a Vauxhall Astra with a diesel engine, the most fuel-efficient of which gives 65.7mpg, according to official figures. The most fuel-efficient petrol engine is the 1.2-litre turbo, which offers as much as 52.3mpg.
Alternatively, the current plug-in hybrid offers 217mpg to 235mpg – according to official figures – along with up to 35 miles of electric-only range. To travel farther in electric mode, check out the pure-electric version of the Astra, which could give you up to 260 miles of range and the benefit of free Vehicle Excise Duty (car tax).
The key rivals for the Vauxhall Astra include familiar names such as the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus. Of the three, the Golf has a more premium feel but tends to cost more, while the Focus is especially enjoyable to drive. Other rivals include the Hyundai i30, Kia Ceed and Peugeot 308, all of which are great all-rounders that are excellent value for money.
The Vauxhall Astra is a practical car, especially if you choose the Sports Tourer estate model with its big 597-litre boot. The luggage capacity drops to 516 litres in the plug-in hybrid and electric versions, or 422 litres if you go for the five-door hatchback. In all cases, the current Astra is more practical than the older 2015-2022 model.
There’s lots of room in the front of the Astra, but any taller-than average adults will be pushed for space in the back. Consider the Skoda Octavia if you’re after something more practical.
With the Insignia no longer available, the Astra is the largest hatchback in the Vauxhall range, sitting above the Corsa. It’s also Vauxhall’s only estate car.
Other Vauxhall cars include, in order of size, the Mokka, Crossland and Grandland SUVs, and the Combo Life and Vivaro Life pure-electric MPVs.
The earlier Vauxhall Astra was tested by safety organisation Euro NCAP in 2011, when it scored the maximum five-star rating. While safety criteria have moved on since then, higher-spec versions of the old Astra have a Driving Assistance Pack, which includes lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking and forward collision alert.
The current Astra was tested in 2022, but the rating dropped to four stars. The scores were lower across the board, most notably in terms of pedestrian safety, chest protection and the Astra having fewer driver-assistance systems than you get with its main rivals.
The newest Vauxhall Astra is available with plug-in hybrid and pure-electric technology. As a plug-in hybrid, the Astra offers up to 35 miles of electric range, assuming you remember to fully recharge the battery. It’s also available as a high-performance GSe model. Alternatively, the pure-electric Astra can travel up to 260 miles on a full charge, according to official figures.
Vauxhall Astra
2017 (17) 1.6 CDTi 16V ecoFLEX Design 5dr
Vauxhall Astra
2015 (15) 1.4i 16V SRi 5dr
Vauxhall Astra
2013 (13) 2.0 CDTi 16V SE [165] 5dr
NEW MOT FREE 6 MONTHS WARRANTY
Vauxhall Astra
2016 (16) 1.6 CDTi 16V SRi 5dr
12 months mot
Vauxhall Astra
2017 (66) 1.4T 16V 150 SRi 5dr
Immaculate con
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Vauxhall Astra
2016 (16) 1.6 CDTi 16V SRi 5dr
2 KEYSSERVICEDIESEL
Vauxhall Astra
2017 (66) 1.6 CDTi 16V 136 Elite 5dr Auto
AUTOMATIC! 6 SERVICE STAMPS
Vauxhall Astra
2011 (61) 1.4i 16V Excite 5dr
Vauxhall Astra
2019 (19) 1.0T ecoTEC Design 5dr
Full service history
Vauxhall Astra
2010 (60) 1.7 CDTi Elite Euro 5 5dr
