Vauxhall Astra: on the road - What's it like to drive?

Blindspots apart, the rest of the driving experience is pretty special. All models come with twist beam rear suspension, but a clever device known as a Watts linkage means the ride rivals that of many luxury cars. It's essentially a pair of rods attached to ball joints and bolted to the body just ahead of the rear wheels that help resist sideways cornering forces, so keeping the car more stable.

Vauxhall also reckons that this approach gives similar performance to more sophisticated, multi-link suspension systems without the expense or space-robbing bulk of a more complex set-up. In practice, the Astra's ride is extremely quiet and comfortable, while the excellent wind- and road noise suppression make the Astra a great long-distance cruiser. It's also pretty tidy on twisty roads thanks to strong body control, well-weighted steering and plenty of grip.

Under the bonnet
The engines we've tried are pretty good, too. There's an all-new turbocharged 1.4 petrol, which doesn't feel as quick as its 138bhp output would suggest, but it's still fairly sprightly when you're feeling playful. It's also impressively smooth and flexible when you just want an easy life. Average fuel economy of 47.9mpg and CO2 emissions of 139g/km means that, for the power you get, running costs will be low.

The same is true of the other engine we've sampled, the 123bhp 1.7-litre diesel. You get 60.1mpg and 124g/km – that's a big part of why it's expected to be the best-selling engine in the range. Like most diesels, the majority of the shove is in the middle of the rev range, so you don't need to stretch the engine to get around briskly.

There's enough low-down gutsiness to make it reasonably flexible, too, which makes it useable and fuss-free on a daily basis. Granted, it's not the quietest diesel engine ever built, but those in some competitors will have you reaching for the earplugs.

If you're looking to spend a bit less, there are 1.4-litre petrols with 86bhp or 99bhp, or a 113bhp 1.6. The petrol line-up is completed by a 178bhp 1.6 turbo. There's another 1.7 diesel with 108bhp, while the range-topping diesel is a 158bhp 2.0-litre. PT/IA

Our verdict
Classy, roomy and good to drive – the VW Golf should be worried
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