GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

> car reviews > holden > astra > my7.5 range > Our Opinion

Make / Model Search

Super Test

Car reviews - Holden - Astra - MY7.5 range

Holden models

Our Opinion

We like
More grunt, no tacky facelift styling add-ons, 2.2 SRi’s performance/value quotient
Room for improvement
1.8 litres is still not enough against torquier 2.0 rivals, rubbery manual gear change, lack of Tiptronic-style auto shifter

20 Apr 2007

THE garden-variety Toyota Corolla-competing Holden Astra’s biggest drawback has long been its lack of muscle.

Which is a shame, because two and a half years after its debut the AH Astra continues to be one of the most striking and best-value new cars you can buy.

But that’s all in the past, now that Holden has finally given the base, volume-selling CD, as well as the better-equipped CDX versions, the engine the AH has always deserved.

Gone is the lack of response when trying to accelerate past large trucks up a hill. No more will unsuspecting nuns in Hyundai Getzs zoom past you at the traffic light grand prix going on in your head.

In everyday urban conditions, the Astra 1.8 XER models are brisk at take-off, keen to rev, do so sweetly all the way to the redline, and have enough oomph in reserve when you need to pass something.

There are still some disappointments, however. The four-speed auto might be smooth, but there is no sequential tip-shift mechanism like in most other rivals. An extra gear ratio wouldn’t go astray in the Astra either.

Meanwhile, the five-speed manual gearbox in the wagon we drove seemed a little notchy and vague. This model’s 60kg-odd extra heft also took the edge off the performance, revealing the Astra’s 1.8’s continuing torque shortfall compared to most 2.0-litre small-car rivals.

Don’t get the wrong message though – the AH Astra’s performance gain is a welcome one, finally putting the base models among the front-runners in the small-car segment.

And we are happy to report that the 2.2 direct-injection Astra five-door SRi is a gusty, revvy and refined alternative to semi-hot hatchback rivals such as the Mazda 3 SP23.

Plus it looks great, handles sharply and seemed very tight in its body control over a variety of road surfaces.

We could not really notice the so called "high quality" cabin trim upgrades, be we never complained about the previous car’s interior anyway – except for the too-low heater/ventilation controls, which remain buried deep down in the base of the centre console stack.

So that about sums up where Holden’s "premium" small car is at.

We have always recommended the Astra over the lacklustre Viva range, and now, with the new engines on offer, we would also heartily suggest you put one on any shortlist against any rival as well.

All car reviews

Super Test

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

GoAuto can help you buy a new Astra

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

Astra pricing

Holden models

All car reviews

Motor industry news

GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events.
Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here