2017 Vauxhall Astra Elite Nav 1.6 CDTi from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Still the best mid range hatch for the cash

Faults:

Front spring broke and had to be replaced at its first MOT. Generally the car has had all services and I have only replaced wear and tear parts, no major faults.

General Comments:

This bright red 2017 Astra is ideal transport for just about anyone. I have owned many cars like this and the Astra feels like the perfect middle ground of them all, taking into account driving pleasure and ease of ownership.

1.6 CDTi is very, very economical. Fast enough but obviously it will not set the world on fire with performance. But for everyday driving it is ideal. I'd be suspect of the long term reliability of the diesel engine though, I have had trouble with them in the past. If this is a concern, the petrol models are probably better in the long run in all honesty. The car is fun to drive, a Ford Focus does handle better, but this car is otherwise as capable in every other department.

Elite Nav is near top spec. Interior is nice and has plenty of modern kit. I couldn't care less about the digital features because I am an older guy, but options to connect a phone and listen to music are all there if you want it. Seats are very nice and comfortable on long journeys.

Exterior wise the car is great looking in my opinion. Boot space is reasonable.

Difficult to say much more, and difficult to fault, the Astra has always been reliable decent transport for the masses, and the more modern ones are still very much that, and with added style, what more could you want?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd August, 2023

2017 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.4 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Best daily driver hatchback for the money!

Faults:

Nothing but maintenance items and wear and tear (tyres, brake pads, etc), no faults whatsoever. The car has had every service since new; I bought it used from an approved used dealer and it had full history.

General Comments:

The Astra SRi is the perfect run about car - comfortable, modern, and reliable. Cheap to buy as a used car. Well, as cheap as they get nowadays anyway!

The 1.4 is nothing special (and by that I mean a bit slow) but it is economical. Tax is reasonable, and so is insurance, and I'm also getting anything from 45 - 50 mpg. No need for the more complicated diesel engine in my opinion.

Interior is nice and comfortable. All the modern features you would expect. The car drives very well. Not exciting, but does the job.

Mine is black and the standard SRi wheels look great. It is a car I want to keep for a long time if it provides with economy and reliability, which so far it has done very well. Pretty much the perfect all round car really - better than my old KIA, but not quite as fun to drive as a Ford Focus, but the Astra is the middle ground of all these cars.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th January, 2023

3rd Aug 2023, 15:09

My car is much the same except diesel. These really are the best cars for the money. My father had every generation of Astra before this going back to the early 1980's, and never any major problems, and it was always the most economical car in the family.