Our cars: Vauxhall Astra GTC - February

Vauxhall Astra GTC 1.6 Turbo SRi 180

Week ending February 10
Mileage 8513
Miles driven this week: 113

The Astra GTC was a mixed bag in the recent snow. Pluses were heated seats that quickly got warm and effective dipped-beam headlights.

The wide tyres didn’t dig into the snow particularly well, though, and the wipers caused another problem. Because they wipe up and outwards, they push a mound of snow to the outside of the windscreen. This mound then sits next to the thick front pillars, getting thicker and thicker with each wipe, making the GTC’s already poor visibility even worse. If the snow doesn’t get swept off or melt as you drive along, you have to stop and remove it by hand.

Still, the conditions showed off the Astra’s looks a treat, especially the line that goes from the door handle, over the rear wheels to the tail-lights. I also think the yellow paint looks good with some winter grime on it.

Barnaby.Jones@Whatcar.com
Vauxhall Astra GTC review

Week ending February 3
Mileage 8400
Miles driven this week 319

I had my first experience of the GTC this week and, on the whole, it was a positive one.

It's a very likeable car, with an inviting cabin and fun, yet refined, character. The handling and steering are sharp, as befits its sporty character. The ride is surprisingly forgiving, too, even on the GTC's 19-inch alloy wheels.

Performance isn't as strong as you'd expect for a car with 177bhp, though. You need to keep the turbocharger on song, and lots of revs are necessary. Having said that, staying in low gear and working the engine hard gives the GTC a refreshingly old-school hot hatch feel.

As well as being classy, the GTC's cabin is surprisingly practical. I needed to transport a bulky storage stand, which I had collected in our long-term Lexus CT200h. I was worried that it wouldn't fit in the GTC at all, but in fact it went in much easier, thanks to the GTC's lower boot floor and rear seats that fold almost flat.

Leo.Wilkinson@Whatcar.com