The ever-popular Vauxhall Astra has tended to be regarded as an affordable, safe, sensible and slightly anodyne hatchback, said The Sunday Times. That’s changed with a new model, pitched to rival the Ford Focus, Seat Leon, Peugeot 308 and VW Golf. There’s something for everyone with a mix of petrol and diesel engines, a plug-in hybrid and, from next year, a pure-electric version. Later this year there will be an estate on offer too.
The eighth-generation Astra is certainly more handsome than its forebears and it feels more sophisticated, said Autocar. But it is not particularly memorable. On the road it is quiet and smooth; steering is medium-light but consistent. The handling isn’t particularly keen and it’s not agile, but it’s more accurate than the previous version, and the plug-in hybrid is slick at switching between power sources.
Vauxhall is offering just three trim levels: Design, GS Line and Ultimate, and all of them come with a 10in infotainment touchscreen, which is simple and functional, What Car? said. There’s a generous amount of head and legroom for those sitting up front, but it’s not so spacious in the back. However, the 422-litre boot beats most of its rivals and even the plug-in hybrid’s boot is pretty competitive, at 352 litres. UK price: from £17,700.
-
Political cartoons for October 26Cartoons Sunday’s editorial cartoons include Young Republicans group chat, Louvre robbery, and more
-
Why Britain is struggling to stop the ransomware cyberattacksThe Explainer New business models have greatly lowered barriers to entry for criminal hackers
-
Greene’s rebellion: a Maga hardliner turns against TrumpIn the Spotlight The Georgia congresswoman’s independent streak has ‘not gone unnoticed’ by the president
-
Roasted squash and apple soup recipeThe Week Recommends Autumnal soup is full of warming and hearty flavours
-
6 well-crafted log homesFeature Featuring a floor-to-ceiling rock fireplace in Montana and a Tulikivi stove in New York
-
Film reviews: A House of Dynamite, After the Hunt, and It Was Just an AccidentFeature A nuclear missile bears down on a U.S. city, a sexual misconduct allegation rocks an elite university campus, and a victim of government terror pursues vengeance
-
Book reviews: ‘Gertrude Stein: An Afterlife’ and ‘Make Me Commissioner: I Know What’s Wrong With Baseball and How to Fix It’Feature Gertrude Stein’s untold story and Jane Leavy’s playbook on how to save baseball
-
Rachel Ruysch: Nature Into ArtFeature Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, through Dec. 7
-
Music reviews: Olivia Dean, Madi Diaz, and Hannah FrancesFeature “The Art of Loving,” “Fatal Optimist,” and “Nested in Tangles”
-
Gilbert King’s 6 favorite books about the search for justiceFeature The journalist recommends works by Bryan Stevenson, David Grann, and more
-
Ready for the apocalypseFeature As anxiety rises about the state of the world, the ranks of preppers are growing—and changing.
