Holden's current Astra revives a long-serving nameplate for the GM brand. Like some previous models, the current Astra hatch is a German Opel design built in Poland for the Aussie market. But the sedan is an American-penned model, made in Korea.
Holden engineers have contributed significant input for the steering, suspension, chassis and engines of the local cars, to ensure they're fit for Australian conditions.
The hatch is aimed at younger buyers and has a somewhat sporty persona, while the longer wheelbase sedan is tuned more for comfort and, dare we say it, more mature buyers.
Offered in four grades, LS, LS+, LT and LTZ, the Astra sedan utilises one engine and a choice of two transmissions.
The hatch also offers two transmissions and a choice of two engines across its three-models R, RS and RS-V, but more of that later.
Priced at $20,490 (plus on-road costs) the LS kicks off the sedan range and comes standard with the following features:
>> Rear view camera
>> Seven-inch touchscreen with Holden MyLink infotainment system
>> Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functions
>> Cruise control
>> Auto headlights
>> Six-speaker audio
>> 16-inch alloy wheels
>> USB port with iPod connectivity
>> Steering wheel-mounted controls
Options:
Prestige paint is $550 and only available on the LT & LTZ
The ‘R' badge signifies it's the entry model hatch and for $21,990 (plus on-road costs) it gets the following, as standard:
>> Seven-inch touch screen with Holden MyLink infotainment system
>> Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, digital radio (DAB+), Siri Eyes Free functions
>> Rear view camera
>> 17-inch alloy wheels
>> Hill Start Assist
>> Cruise control with speed limiter
Options: Several packs are available for hatch buyers:
Driver Assist Pack optional on the R – $1000,
Touring Pack on the RS-V – $1990,
Innovations Pack on the RS-V – $3990
Let's take a closer look at the sedan and which model offers the equipment you want.
All models feature six airbags, traction and stability controls, Rear Park Assist, a rear-view camera for easy reversing and auto operating headlights.
Moving up, the LS+ gains the Holden Eye Forward-Facing Camera, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Distance Indicator, Forward Collision Alert.
Another step up to the LT, and the full suite of safety kit is added, including auto-operating headlights, sensors in the front bumper for easy parking, Side Blind Spot alert, rain-sensing wipers that are controlled automatically, and Advanced Park Assist.
The base LS and next rung up the ladder LS+, have a seven-inch infotainment touch screen which gives access to hands-free Bluetooth phone functions, audio streaming, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
If you want satellite navigation, choose the LT, which has Digital radio (DAB+) and a bigger eight-inch colour touch screen. Illuminated vanity mirrors and heated exterior mirrors are also standard and the LT is the most affordable model to feature a 4.2-inch multi-information display within the instrument cluster.
Should leather seats with a heating function be your thing, go straight to the top of the class LTZ. The same applies if you must have an electric sunroof and an interior look enhanced by gloss black and chrome interior trimmings. The LTZ is also only one in the line-up to get single zone air-conditioning, all others offer manual air-conditioning.
The most affordable way to dress up your Astra sedan is to tick the LS+ box and get the LED Daytime Running Lights and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
To make the Astra sedan stand out further, head on up to the LT, which comes with a rear lip spoiler and 17-inch alloy wheels, (one inch bigger than those on the LS and LS+). And tick the box for all the bling including 18-inch alloy wheels and chrome window surrounds.
The Astra sedan range utilises one engine, a 110kW, 1.4-litre turbo petrol-engine.
The entry-level LS offers a choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed auto transmission, while the LS+, LT and LTZ only come with the six–speed automatic.
Prices for the Astra sedan range are:
Astra LS Manual – $20,490
Astra LS Auto – $21,490
Astra LS+ Auto – $22,740
Astra LT Auto – $25,790
Astra LTZ Auto – $29,790
As a value proposition, it's hard to ignore the LT. Sure it is over three grand more than the LS+, but you do get satellite navigation, rain-sensing wipers, button entry and engine start as well as self-parking and side blind spot alert.
Now to the three-model Astra hatchback line-up and a look at which model gets the features you want.
All three models offer Traction and Stability controls and six airbags. And all come with Hill Start Assist, a rear-view camera and rear park assist – or parking sensors to the consumer. Unlike the sedan, the cruise control has a speed-limiter function, but you miss out on the auto headlight control in the sedan range.
Step up from the R to the RS and you will get Front Park Assist, Advanced Park Assist (auto parking for parallel and perpendicular reverse park) – that's not in the sedan – and Holden Eye Forward facing camera with Auto Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Distance Indicator, Forward Collision Alert with Head Up Warning, Blind spot Alert and Rain Sensing Wipers that can activate automatically.
If you want to save a few bucks and just go for the rain-sensing wipers, Holden Eye forward facing camera, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep assist and forward Collision Alert with Head Up warning, order the R model and add the $1,000 Driver Assist pack.
Both the R and RS share the same seven-inch infotainment touch screen featuring Bluetooth phone functions, audio streaming, Apple Car Play and Android Auto phone projection. You also get DAB+ digital radio and iPod integration with Siri Eyes Free.
Tick the RS-V box and you will get an eight-inch colour touch screen with those same three features: digital radio and iPod integration with Siri Eyes Free. The RS-V is the only model with satellite navigation, which includes colour maps, traffic updates and traffic management control, plus points of interest. You also get colour digital instrumentation.
If a leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated exterior mirrors are what you want, buy the RS. Heated leather seats and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel are exclusive to the RS-V.
Should you want to indulge in an electric sunroof or the safety of Adaptive cruise control, they are only available in an option pack that is exclusively available with the RS-V for $1990. If you want Adaptive LED matrix headlamps, those add a further $2000 to the option pack.
While all models are fitted with sports fascia at the front and rear, the R makes do with 17-inch alloy wheels, the RS gets 17-inch sports five-spoke alloy wheels and the RS-V has two-tone 18-inch alloy wheels. Further distinguishing the RS-V are LED tail lights and inside, coloured digital instruments.
Two engines are offered. The Astra R is fitted with a (110kW) 1.4-litre turbo petrol—the same as the sedan—while the RS and RS-V both have the more powerful (147kW) 1.6-litre turbo petrol. The hatch also offers buyers the choice of a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission across all models.
Prices for the Astra hatch range are:
Astra R Manual – $21,990
Astra R Auto – $24,190
Astra RS Manual – $26,490
Astra RS Auto – $28,690
Astra RS-V Manual – $30,990
Astra RS-C Auto – $33,190
Best value for me is the Astra R auto hatch with the $1000 Driver Assist pack, which gives you reasonable levels of performance, plenty of kit, a strong safety package and substantial savings over upper models.
For the driver in me, however, I can't go past the Astra RS-V manual, without any of the extra packs.