Life has always been a bit tough if you're a Vauxhall Astra - it is constantly (and rightly, of course) compared to the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf and nearly always comes up short. The Ford is noted for its driving prowess and the VW is lauded for its superior interior quality, neither of which qualities are touched by rivals. Perhaps it is unfair for the Astra to be faced with both cars at the same time.
The sixth generation of Astra is Vauxhall's most serious attempt yet to try and redress that particular balance with a renewed emphasis on interior quality and styling that is less bland than some of the recent missteps the company has made.
It has largely worked - the newest Astra certainly looks much better than it ever has done before, with sleek lines and a much sexier three-door model with unique coupe-like styling along the lines of what Renault has done with the latest Megane. The Astra has been made longer and wider, and this new stance gives it a much more dynamic air.
There are five engines available, all adopting the newly-fashionable and environmentally-conscious downsizing approach. It's mostly successful with the petrol motors but less so with the diesels. The smaller engines feel wheezy and underpowered, unable to get the car going. The 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol is a lot of fun with its 180bhp, but you should probably try the cars and see what engine suits you best.
The Astra feels quite well-built and the plastics inside are of good quality. It certainly feels like a step up in effort from Vauxhall. It's a very refined car too, relaxed on the motorway and it keeps out most of the irritating noises that engines and tyres emit. The increase in space over the old model is welcome too, and there are nice storage touches throughout the cabin that show the thought Vauxhall has put into the car.
The biggest improvement in the Astra is the driving experience - it is a much more fun car to drive, and though it lacks feel compared to the Focus, it is more refined and still has the same bite on turn-in as the Ford. The ride is excellent too, especially at low speeds.
The newest Astra has really closed the gap between it and its Ford and VW rivals - it's a much-improved car and the winner essentially comes down to personal taste.