Things have been quiet at Hired Review, and I can only apologise
for that. Unfortunately, in order to write a review I need to have something to
write about. The recent steady stream of Vauxhall Astras sent my way have
consecutively failed to raise any inspiration in me. Having covered the basics
here, and here, the extended use of this much-loved model has given me more
time to consider some of the wider aspects of Vauxhall’s venerable Astra.
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| Lining up at the start line |
A mild facelift has seen the introduction of some new lights
front and rear which bring the Astra in line with the rest of the Vauxhall
range. Although the change are minimal the new look is neater; though little
else has changed. The interior remains the same. This means the stereo is still
incomprehensible with a wide array of buttons that appear not to do anything.
The door cards have a hideous crease above the door handles and the base of the
windscreen remains a long way from the steering wheel. Oh, and the wipers are
more suited to a bus than a car. But the seats are comfortable and there are
plenty of practical cubby holes. The boot is ample and access and comfort in
the rear is more than satisfactory. In other words the Astra is a thoroughly
effective family car.
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| Familiar & inoffensive rear |
It is on the move that I find the Astra harder to live with.
Fitted here with a naturally aspirated 1.6 petrol engine producing 115bhp the
Astra is no slouch. The problem is more with the way in which the speed is
delivered. I have thought for some time now that the feeling of speed is
relative. 70mph can feel monumentally different depending on the car you’re
travelling in. I don’t think there are any fixed constraints to measure this
feeling; but the feeling can certainly be measured. The Astra is relatively
quick with a seamless power delivery. Yet the engine tone is dull despite the
motor being capable across the rev range. Furthermore a combination of numb steering
and cosseted cabin means it never fells quick. On a clear, open A road I drove
as felt appropriate but soon realised I had to keep an eye on the speedo for
the car was more than capable of reaching excessive speeds without any drama
whatsoever. I’ve been in cars with twice the power that had a much more
exaggerated feeling of speed despite, in reality, requiring significantly less
effort to reach those speeds. It really is odd and unfortunately it greatly
affects the driving experience. It compounds my feeling that more important
than outright pace is the way the car interacts with the driver. For me, that
means feeling part of the driving experience; rolling up my sleeves and getting
down and dirty with the engine, suspension and chassis to come out of the next
corner alive. It's an exhilarating experience which makes you feel alive. But it
doesn’t require a Ferrari. I’ve blown the trumpet of the Fiesta over and over
again, but it really does demonstrate how a very sensible ordinary car can be
an absolute hoot to drive. The Astra is devoid of any such thrills in the name
of moving people from A to B with minimal fuss.
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| The wheels; more important than you'd think |
Regular readers may have noticed I’m quite a fan of in-car
gadgets too. The particular Astra sits low on the Vauxhall tree and offers only
cruise control by way of gadgetry. Whilst this is saddening I did discover a
positive; perhaps where you’d least expect it. You see, as you climb above the
Expression you trade your hideous 16” steel wheels for either 17” or 18” alloy
wheels. We’re told this is a good thing as it improves the aesthetics and the
driving experience. But does it really? Yes, they do look better (until they’re
covered in scratches) but they certainly don’t improve the driving experience.
Let me explain. I drove the car down some rural roads which, as is usual, have
many undulations, pot holes and changes in surface. The smaller wheels, and
bigger tyres, coped amicably better with these demands. They soak up the bumps
much more succinctly giving you, the driver, one less thing to distract you
from the task at hand. Not only that, but your back suffers less interference as
well. Car designers remain obsessed by big wheels and small tyres and whilst
they do look good in the showroom, be warned that there is a price to pay out
on the tarmac (and financially).
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| No fuss; no sweat; no joy? |
To summarise, the Vauxhall Astra then is a car built with a
clear purpose and aim. It is a car in perhaps the purest sense in 2014. I’m not
able to complain or moan about anything major. The car doesn’t do anything
wrong (unlike its woeful predecessor) but, by the same token, it doesn’t do
anything right either. It is a simple means of escaping the depressing
proposition of catching a bus but it certainly isn’t the anything close to
driving pleasure.
