New Vauxhall Astra 2022 review

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This initial taste of the Mk8 Astra shows that it’s a consistent, individual product that should stand out – and as far as Vauxhall is concerned, that’s perhaps an achievement.

With other brands in the Stellantis group making a splash with new product and revival options, Vauxhall bad need to mark its identity with Latest Astra.

The current generation of Corsa is, after all, a car created on the fly, after the takeover of the British name and its stable companion Opel. Its bigger brother, on the other hand, has had time to mature — a time for engineers to get the most out of Stellantis’ technology.

However, as we prepared for our first taste of the new Astra, it became clear that this was indeed a variety family hatchback from Vauxhall. At the front, there’s the latest incarnation of what the company calls the Vizor – the dramatic headlamp and grille treatment – while the rear is pulled down, with wing-shaped taillights and brake lights. third vertical. It’s bold, especially in the metallic gold paint in our test example.

The interior also marks a major departure for the Astra. In the center of the front cabin is the Pure dashboard, a wide frame for a pair of 10-inch screens for the digital and infotainment devices. The interface for the latter felt a bit confusing to us; assuming it needs to be learned, rather than visually seamless.

The changes don’t stop there, because the move to Stellantis Group’s EMP2 platform means this Astra has the option to dip into the mixture power. And that’s what we’re trying to do here; It combines a 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol engine producing 148hp with a single electric motor delivering the same output, for a combined 178hp and 360Nm of torque. There’s also a 12.4kWh battery, which Vauxhall claims can take the car 43 miles on electricity alone – and up to a zero-emissions 84mph top speed.

Quietly pulling away, the Astra immediately exhibits a relatively tight turn of 10.5 metres. And once we start accelerating, the powertrain presents a sophisticated side of its character; The eight-speed automatic transmission is incredibly smooth, with the changes being almost imperceptible.

Push the hybrid system beyond electric mode and have more than enough performance for a family hatchback; 0-62mph takes 7.7 seconds and top speed is 140mph.

You should have no trouble switching between electric and gasoline power, because the toggle switch is done in a very subtle fashion – but if you really press hard and push the revs higher, you’ll see. Notes are a bit messy.

However, ride quality can be an issue, especially on the UK’s notoriously poor pavement. Our test car was, of course, the heaviest Astra, but the overall setup was pretty solid, transferring road bumps into the cabin and emitting a constant rumbling from the tyres.

Inside, the Astra has plenty of room in the front, but it feels a bit cramped in the back for adults. And the quality won’t stand out as much as the design; it was decent, but no better than today’s class standards.

With list prices starting at over £32,000, PHEVs will appeal to those looking at their BiK tax rather than retail customers. But the Astra is still available with the regular petrol engine, with either 108 hp or 128 hp, and there’s even a diesel variant. An all-electric version will also be available in 2023.