The Astra estate is one of the most immediately recognisable cars on the road

The Vauxhall Astra is a spacious and practical small family car. The latest model, introduced in 2004, is the fifth Astra since the start of its production. It sports a larger interior than previous versions, with lots of kit providing an up market look and feel. The Astra's wide range of petrol engines and good choice of diesels make it a very popular car in the market. The three-door Sport Hatch variant has the option of an innovative and attractive panoramic windscreen, which gives the Astra a whole new driving experience.

The Vauxhall Astra estate is one of the grand old men of the British road. Fashion may come and go but the good old Astra estate just keeps going.

The Astra estate is one of the most immediately recognisable cars on the road but will it turn the neighbours' heads? In a word, no. However, if you can live with the fact that the Joneses are more likely to glaze over than go green you can congratulate yourself in the knowledge you've got a sensible, economical car which just happens to be a lot of fun to drive.

The Vauxhall Astra estate is one of the grand old men of the British road. Fashion may come and go but the good old Astra estate just keeps going.

It looks like a Vauxhall Astra Estate. Even the UK's biggest car-phobes could name this old warhorse from a silhouette shot - or could they?

Looks matter but practicality is the key reason for stumping up for an Astra Estate.

Very impressive. The ride is very easy to live with, this reviewer used it for a motorway run to drop off and then pick up his wife at the airport and the Astra won glowing reviews for the comfort of the journey.

The Astra is an economical car. You'll get 47.9 miles per gallon on average. Take it out of the town and this becomes an impressive 56.5 miles. A one-year unlimited mileage warranty is included, as are the second and third years, up to the first 60,000 miles. Customers also get Vauxhall road assistance for the first year and then roadside breakdown cover for a further two years.

Few facts and finds of Astra

• The griffin emblem which is still used on all Vauxhall cars is derived from the coat of arms of Fulk le Breant. He was a mercenary soldier who was granted the Manor of Luton for services to King John in the thirteenth century.


• The new Vauxhall Astra has been awarded a 5 star rating for adult occupant protection in the EuroNCAP crash test programme.


• The Vauxhall Astra is also available in the top-of-the-range VXR format. The team behind the VXR model combined their racing knowledge and experience to produce high performance road cars. The Astra VXR runs on a 2-litre Ecotec turbocharged engine producing a maximum output of 237bhp. This power allows it to get from 0-60mph in 6.8 seconds with a top speed of 140mph.

Used Vauxhall Astra Car - Options

• The Vauxhall Astra is available in three and five door versions, as well as estate and van models.


• There are 13 trim levels to choose from, starting with the entry level Expression ranging up to the Elite with additional SRi and VXR models available too.


• The Astra has petrol engines ranging from a 1.4 up to a 2-litre turbo in the VXR hot hatch. The diesel choices are 1.3, 1.7 or 1.9-litre units producing power from 90bhp to 150bhp.