Vauxhall Astra Review 2026

Vauxhall Astra: Everything you need to know

The latest generation Vauxhall Astra came as a bit of a shock when it first arrived in 2021. Replacing the anonymous seventh-generation with sharp lines, the eighth-gen car injected some style into a model that had earned a reputation for being just a bit dull. It even looks a bit like a Star Wars Stormtrooper's helmet if specced in white.

With the updated version, then, Vauxhall didn't really need to do a whole lot in the looks department, and sure enough, it hasn't. The most recognisable change can be found in the 'grille' (inverted commas because it's a solid chunk of plastic with no vents in it), which now features two massive strips of light meeting a new light-up badge in the middle, plus a vertical element to evoke the look of a compass. Yes, it's yet another car with an illuminated logo, although it's not Vauxhall's first. We're not really sure how we feel about it.

The entry-level mild-hybrid engine is unchanged, although the plug-in hybrid does now feature a larger battery pack for an increased electric-only range. The Vauxhall Astra Electric also features a larger battery, as we've covered in our separate review of the model.

Other changes include tweaked specifications, new wheel designs and some new colours. But not a great deal else, so if you spot a great deal on the pre-update model, you can go for it in the knowledge that you're not missing out on too much.

The Astra comes from the massive Stellantis group of companies, which means it has some relatives. The closest of these is the Peugeot 308, which had its own update not so long ago. The 308 feels plusher inside, but not everyone will get on with its unusual 'i-Cockpit' driving position.

As for rivals from further afield, one of the Astra's major foils – the Ford Focus – is no longer with us. The VW Golf is still very much alive, meanwhile, but it can't quite match the Astra's value. A much newer competitor is the Kia K4, which is priced very similarly and is generally impressive. 

Much like the 308, you can have the Astra as an estate car, called the Astra Sports Tourer, although we're focusing on the hatchback here. 

How we tested the Vauxhall Astra 

We've driven multiple versions of the current Astra since its launch, covering all engine options and various trim levels over many hundreds of miles of testing on roads both in the UK and abroad. Most recently, we've tried the mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric versions of the facelifted model.

In that time, we've found the Astra to be an easy car to drive and live with. We like its common-sense approach in the interior – as well as using a more familiar driving position, as mentioned, you get proper buttons for the climate control, so you don't have to faff about using the central touchscreen. 

It's a dreary cabin, though, and a lot of it feels cheap compared to both the Astra's Peugeot 308 relative and competitors, including the Volkswagen Golf. 

Another area where the Astra has room for improvement is the ride. It's a curiously firm car compared to other options, which does mean it handles tidily with minimal body roll, but we'd happily take more lean and have more suppleness for the suspension in return. 

Although it's not the most exciting thing in the world to shout about, the thing that's always impressed us with the Astra is how much stuff you get in it. Even the entry-level model comes loaded up with kit, so we've never got inside an Astra and felt like it needed more gear. 

Is the Vauxhall Astra a good car?

'A good car' is actually a great description for the Astra. It's not really a 'great' one, failing to stand out in any area other than value, but it's solid enough in most aspects that you can buy one, enjoy the savings and not feel like you're missing out on too much for the sake of having a bit more money in your pocket. It certainly helps that the Astra is finally a bit of a looker, which you can't say for the previous-generation model.

The Astra handles competently, remaining reasonably level even when cornering quickly, while the steering is light and reasonably quick, if devoid of any real feedback from the road surface. 

It's an easy car to drive, whatever the occasion, but we're not sure why it's so firm. The suspension thuds over imperfections and never seems to settle down. You'll want to be taking speed bumps slower in the Astra than its more comfortable competitors, too. 

We'd happily have a bit more roll in the corners if it meant better ride comfort. The Peugeot 308, which shares a lot in common with the Astra, strikes a much better balance between comfort and composure. The same goes for the VW Golf and Kia K4. 

Wind noise starts to get a bit vocal at cruising speeds, meanwhile, but the road noise that enters the cabin isn't excessive. 

The entry-level 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine produces 130PS and 230Nm of torque, enabling a perfectly acceptable 0-62mph time of 9.6 seconds. Earlier in the Astra's life, there was also the option of a 110PS engine. 

Next up is the Astra Hybrid, a name which we feel is a bit disingenuous. It's not a 'proper', self-charging hybrid, instead, it's what's known as a mild-hybrid with a 48-volt battery powering a small motor to give a small boost and limited electric-only running. It's best thought of as an extension of the stop/start system. 

Anyway, the combination of the electrical bits to the same 1.2-litre engine as the entry-level Astra is 145PS, but no more torque. The 0-62mph drops to nine seconds. With either of the three-cylinder units, though, they sound quite thrashy when you're extracting all their performance. The six-speed automatic gearbox in the Hybrid is never in much of a hurry to change up, as well, and at times it can be clunky. 

The plug-in hybrid is more relaxing to drive, partly because it's based around a smoother four-cylinder engine, but also because it offers a decent amount of quiet, electric-only running. Again, though, if you call for a lot of acceleration, the engine can get noisy, although this is mostly limited to higher revs, where the 1.6-litre unit gets rather boomy. 

It's a lot quicker than the Hybrid, developing 196PS and 360Nm of torque for a 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds. 

Prefer a diesel? You'll need to go used, and it won't be a recent example, with the 1.5-litre diesel engine ditched from the range in 2023. You can still get the related Peugeot 308 with that same drive system, though.

The Vauxhall Astra was crashed into a brick wall by the experts at Euro NCAP back in 2022, yielding a somewhat disappointing four-star rating out of five. It managed 80% in the adult occupant test, 82% for child occupants, 67% for vulnerable road users and 66% for its safety assistance systems.

All models come with a multifunction camera on the widescreen, powering things like the autonomous emergency braking system, active lane positioning and adaptive cruise control.

The best current Astra for towing is the plug-in hybrid, which can haul braked/unbraked loads of up to 1450kg/750kg. The entry-level petrol manages 1200-1450kg/660-680kg depending on how it's specced (the auto can't lug as much), while the Hybrid is just behind with its 1150kg/600kg capacity. 

A boot space of 422 litres looks pretty healthy when a VW Golf only manages 381. Just bear in mind that the plug-in hybrid Astra drops to 351 litres due to the placement of the high-voltage battery, but that's much more than you get in a Golf PHEV. A Kia K4 has a bigger boot at 440 litres, but only if you avoid one of the mild-hybrid models, which suffer a 110-litre penalty due to battery placement. 

Folding the rear bench opens up 1339 litres of boot space, or 1268 in the PHEV. If you want more, there's the roomy Sports Tourer to consider.

Space for rear-seat passengers is only just acceptable. Adults will feel a little cramped in there, and don't even attempt to squeeze three people side-by-side unless you really have to.

At least there's loads of room in the front, while visibility is pretty good. There are the usual storage areas, too, including a useful cubby within the central armrest and two generously large cupholders in the centre console.

Vauxhall Astra dimensions

The Astra measures 4374mm in length, 2062mm in width (including the mirrors) and 1441mm in height. This makes it slightly larger than a VW Golf, but slightly shorter than a Kia K4. It's a compact car that will be nice and easy to park and fit on your driveway. 

While the Vauxhall Astra's cabin looks a bit more interesting than it used to, it certainly couldn't be described as plush. Some of the buttons feel a bit flimsy, while the door cards are pretty firm to touch. It's not offensively plasticky in there, and it'll probably stand the test of time, but look elsewhere if you want soft-touch materials and premium finishes.

All Vauxhall Astra models come with a twin-screen setup comprising of a 10-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10-inch navigation system. Neither of them has the sharpest graphics, but the infotainment is easy to navigate, and you can wirelessly connect your phone to use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

If voice-activated personal assistants are your thing, the new Astra comes with a voice control system that's triggered by saying 'hey Vauxhall'. As well as controlling the infotainment, you can use this to perform tasks like turning the heated seats on or the heated steering wheel. We think it's a bit gimmicky, like every other voice-activated personal assistant used in cars.

What isn't gimmicky is the conventional buttons for operating the climate control. They're much better than having to navigate the infotainment to adjust the temperature of the climate control, and there's even a useful ledge for resting your fingers on. It's a small thing, but one that makes a difference day-to-day.

These are the latest On The Road (OTR) prices for the new Vauxhall Astra as of March 2026 – prices can change, so please use these as a guide before checking Vauxhall's latest price lists.

Is the Vauxhall Astra good value compared to rivals?

As you can see from the chart above, the Vauxhall Astra's pricing is disarmingly simple. Whether you want an Astra Electric, the Hybrid or the plug-in hybrid and regardless of whether you've picked the hatchback or the estate, the price is exactly the same. 

That's a very different state of affairs from before, with the Astra Electric and the PHEV previously charged at a hefty premium. For now, the only thing that changes the price is the trim level, although a basic 1.2-litre petrol will be added to the range at a later date, and that almost certainly will be a bit cheaper. 

In any case, the Astra looks like good value, when the Volkswagen Golf range starts from £28,895 for a basic engine and a trim level that can't match the Astra Griffin in terms of standard kit. And VW will quite happily charge you more for an estate body style and/or a plug-in hybrid setup. A lot more for the latter, in fact.

The Astra now has a strong competitor in terms of value, though, with the Kia K4 range starting at just £26,000. It tops out at around £34,000, just like the Astra.

VED car tax will be £205 across the board, with exemptions for EVs and the £10 discount for 'alternatively fueled vehicles' both axed. You won't need to worry about the government's expensive vehicle supplement, though, as even the priciest models are nowhere near the threshold (£40,000 for ICE vehicles, £50,000 for EVs).

The most economical version of the Astra, the diesel, is no longer available. It's capable of 64.2mpg, but that wasn't enough to win over buyers, with its lack of popularity leading to its demise in 2023. 

Yes, the plug-in hybrid is, on paper, more frugal, offering 122.8mpg, but the WLTP combined figures for cars like these need to be taken with a pinch of salt. It'll depend on how much you're able to make the most of its electric-only running. If the battery goes flat, you won't be able to beat the discontinued diesel's economy. 

Then again, with an electric-only range of up to 52 miles, a lot of journeys can be made without using any fuel at all. This will be a cheap way to get around if you can get yourself on an EV tariff and time your charging to coincide with cheaper off-peak periods. Even if you don't, it'll only be just over £4 to fully charge the battery from empty, based on the current price cap for electricity in the UK.

The 1.2-litre petrol is plenty frugal, returning 50.4mpg, while the Hybrid 145 ups this to 58.9mpg.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Vauxhall Astra reliable?

Our go-to source for reliability data is the HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Index, and on that front, it's not the best news. As a brand, Vauxhall usually sits near the bottom of the table for reliability, while the previous-generation Astra is ranked as one of the least reliable cars.

We'd expect the latest version to be a marked improvement, though, and it's using well-proven engines and technology used across the many Stellantis-owned brands. 

Is the Vauxhall Astra a good first car?

The Astra is compact and easy to drive, so it could make a good first car, but probably not for younger drivers, who may find it costly to insure. They'd be better off with the smaller Corsa. 

How much is the new Vauxhall Astra?

Prices start at £29,995, rising to £33,995, depending on your chosen trim levels. It no longer makes a difference to the price if you choose the Hybrid, PHEV or Astra Electric, although the basic 1.2-litre petrol will be reintroduced at some point for a lower amount. 

The Astra's trim levels have changed around a bit, although Ultimate remains at the top of the range, with GS sitting in the middle and Griffin serving as the entry-level trim.

The Vauxhall Astra Griffin comes with the following equipment fitted as standard: 

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• LED front/rear lights
• Illuminated grille 
• Black roof
• 10-inch digital instrument cluster
• 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
• Adaptive cruise control
• Front/rear parking sensors
• Heated front seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Keyless entry
• Climate control 
• Auto-dimming rear mirrors
• Electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors

The Vauxhall Astra GS builds on the above with:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Sport design bumper 
• Edge-to-edge glass infotainment/instrument cluster panel
• Reversing camera 
• Sports seats
• Dual-zone climate control
• Keyless start 

The range-topping Vauxhall Astra Ultimate adds:

• Pixel LED headlights
• Lane change assistance
• Head-up display
• Wireless charger
• Heated and insulated windscreen
• Heated front seats
• Panoramic sunroof
• Electrically adjustable driver's seat
• 18-inch alloy wheels

Originally, the line-up consisted of Design, GS-Line and Ultimate. For a while, Griffin was positioned above Design before replacing it as the entry grade, while GS-Line was later simplified as 'GS'.

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