With the Astra now the third best selling car in Europe, Opel are set to build on previous successes with its new line up 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, manoeuvring into gaps in city traffic. The overall design and size makes parking relatively easy; this is made even simpler by park assisn't sensors for those drivers who lack confidence in parking.
The Opel Astra’s adaptive chassis system is integral to its comfort, and the whole vehicle adjusted very well to the different driving conditions we encountered. We traveled well-maintained open roads, and stop-started in heavy traffic. Engine noise was minimal and muffled; gears were smooth and easy to work; seating is relatively roomy and ergonomically designed. As an every day 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 some tough competition to Volkswagen Polo sedan, among other models.
Interior
While the interior—and indeed, the exterior—has been given a freshened up face lift, 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 every day use. This compact model will provide adequate room for children, sports equipment and 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, although it has enough useful features to justify the price. It includes climate control (in most models), an essential in the Middle East; a moderately useful infotainment system doubling as sat nav and radio/CD playing; and with front and rear view cameras, using technologies which have been 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, and a 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.
