2013 Opel Astra 1.6L Sedan Review

With the Opel Astra now the third best-selling car in Europe, Opel is set to build on previous successes with its new lineup for 2013. We took the 1.6L sedan for a runaround, and here are our thoughts:

Driving Performance

The 1.6L sedan isn’t the most powerful car in its class. It’s zippy and reasonably light, maneuvering into gaps in city traffic. The overall design and size make parking relatively easy; this is made even simpler by park assist sensors for those drivers who lack confidence in parking.

The Opel Astra’s adaptive chassis system is integral to its comfort. The whole vehicle adjusted very well to the different driving conditions we encountered. We traveled well-maintained open roads and stopped-started in heavy traffic. Key performance features include:

• Minimal and muffled engine noise
• Smooth and easy gear shifts
• Roomy and ergonomically designed seating

As an everyday vehicle, the Opel Astra is quite adequate for long business trips by road and equally useful for errands across short city distances. German technology powers the Opel, and we expect solid reliability and good resale value, giving tough competition to the Volkswagen Polo sedan, among other models.

Interior

While the interior—and indeed, the exterior—has been given a freshened-up facelift, with sharper lines and a sportier look, it isn’t ultra-special. Its finishing is smart and functional, but the feeling we get in this family car runaround is that it’s for everyday use. This compact model will provide adequate room for:

• Children
• Sports equipment
• Commuter luggage

The compact car range is normally a little less high-tech than higher-spec models; the Astra is no different in that respect. However, it has enough useful features to justify the price, including:

• Climate control (in most models) – essential in the Middle East
• A moderately useful infotainment system doubling as sat nav and radio/CD player
• Front and rear view cameras

Utilizing technologies directly taken from innovation work done on the Insignia and the Zafira Tourer, it has allowed scope for the park assist and other safety-conscious driving features such as:

• Adaptive forward lighting
• Traffic sign assistant
• Forward collision alert

Verdict

In a car manufacturer’s world of hotly contested technologies, particularly in the compact car class, the Opel Astra is the embodiment of everyday, ordinary innovation. There’s no need for a song and dance. Just get in the car and drive. That’s what it’s designed for.