Opel is back in the UAE after a 10-year hiatus. This European competitor was the third most popular car in Europe last year. The stunning new models caught my attention, prompting me to test the new contender against the Volkswagen Golf 1.4-liter: the Opel Astra GTC.

Performance

This car is marketed under the name 1.4L Turbo Ecotec, which translates to "sporty" or "high power." However, it is not sporty at all. Don’t get me wrong; it’s a very stylish vehicle—just look at the pictures!

It is one of the most attractive hatchbacks available on the market. Its sleek and sporty appearance makes you want to get inside. Yet, once you do, the reality sets in: there’s nothing "sporty" about driving it. The specifications claim it has 140 horsepower and a 6-speed transmission, but we didn’t feel that.

The handling is good, thanks to the HiPerStrut suspension and 20-inch wheels, which enhance its visual appeal. However, even a Yaris can achieve that. We expected the GTC to provide a driving experience that felt genuinely GTC, but it doesn’t! The driving experience is that of an ordinary hatchback.

Yes, it handles well on the highway and has cruise control, but it's important to clarify that the driving experience is not sporty. It feels quite ordinary.

Interior

Opel Astra GTC Interior

We drove the fully equipped model, which featured a perforated leather steering wheel, leather-wrapped gear shift, and sporty half-leather seats. It has three cup holders, adequate space in the glove compartment, and some soft-touch fabric elements.

They designed the interior to give a sporty look to the car. However, headroom is limited; if you’re taller than 5’6”, your head might stick out of the window. Additionally, there’s no panoramic glass roof, so there’s no option to enjoy the view outside.

The sleek exterior design causes some issues inside. Firstly, the rear visibility is poor due to the very small rear window. Secondly, they need to improve the legroom in the back, as there is virtually none. This car is supposed to accommodate five people, but the only way to fit five is if the three in the back have no legs! In reality, it’s a car for just two.

The trunk space is deep and wide. With the seats up, it has a capacity of 380 liters, which is slightly larger than that of the Volkswagen Golf.

Conclusion

The price of the Astra GTC is 90,000 AED, making it about 10-15% cheaper than the Volkswagen Golf. Its design is also more attractive than the Golf. Consider it if you’re looking for a German-made hatchback that accommodates two, but you will have to forget about sporty driving.

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