Picture Gallery: 2008 Saturn Astra | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Discuss
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This five-door hatchback starts at a reasonable $17,900 a price point at which it competes with the likes of the Volkswagen City Golf, Mazda3 Sport and Toyota Matrix.
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The Astra comes with a nice list of standard equipment that you may not expect in this price range, such as: body-coloured door handles, mirrors and side mouldings and rain-sensing wipers (front and rear).
On the inside, some of the standard features include: cruise control, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, remote keyless entry, power windows with express down on all windows, and, sadly, only one front cupholder, but two in the rear.
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All Astras are powered by a 1.8L DOHC in-line four cylinder Ecotec engine that produces 138hp and 125ft-lb of torque. Standard is a five-speed manual tranmssion, but my tester is equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. This is normally a $1350 standalone option but comes as part of the 1SB package in my tester for $3,415, which includes air conditioning, 16″ aluminum alloy wheels, and front heated seats.
Also added to my tester is Stabilitrak stability control system ($695) and a huge dual-panel power sunroof ($1295) that practically covers the entire roof of the car.
Basing your car-buying decision solely on the included goodies would have you about ready to head out to the Saturn dealer right about now — but we all know it is not just about the features, but how it drives as well.
2008 Saturn Astra
MSRP as tested (including destination): $24,645
For more information on Saturn and the Astra visit GM Canada
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There are some great things about the interior and some interesting things and also some take-it-or-leave-it things as far as I am concerned.
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The switches for the signal lights and windshield washers feel German, in that they are very similar to those in a BMW and are electronic and not mechanical. Personally, I like a mechanical feel for the signals but I can live with the Astra’s. What I really don’t like is the fiddly control for the cruise control. It is hard to explain but if you aren’t careful with it, you might accidentally be telling everyone around you are turning left and right while trying to set it.
Interior space is ample, and of course being a hatchback design, cargo space is very good. The rear seats do not fold completely flat but the rear trunk area is lower than you would expect, so this makes up for the lost space up higher in the seating area. The cupholder issue has been discussed in the comments: yes there is only one in the front. It is obvious this vehicle was designed to be a manual-transmission car with the cupholder far back to avoid being in the way of the shifter.
All in all the interior hasn’t blown me away but it certainly does its job, looks to be well put together and feels of quality.
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One thing I do have to note, that drove me absolutely bonkers this morning, is the door chime warning when a door is open. It was by chance when I closed the hatch this morning and it did not close completely that the chime started to ring, over and over and over again. Why is there a chime for the hatch? No hatch should have a chime if left open, I leave mine open when carrying large items all the time.
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Even with the winter tires on my tester, I can feel that turn is in sharp on the Astra and very sporty-feeling. The brakes are great as well; very easy to modulate and with great pedal feel. But you don’t really want to use those brakes, especially on an Astra equipped with an automatic transmission like my tester is, as it takes forever to get back up to speed.
This really is the only detriment to the Astra — it just feels extremely slow and requires effort to keep the speeds up while on the highway if you are not using cruise control. But while on the highway you will cruise in comfort; I have to say the Astra is extremely quiet and smooth for a vehicle in this class and price range — I just wish it was faster.
Watching the gas gauge on my tester makes me a little concerned as well. I will fill it up tomorrow to determine consumption but judging from the gauge I’m not liking what I am seeing.
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All in all, the Astra is certainly worth a test drive. While the automatic transmission takes the fun out of the car, the Astra provides you with a quiet and fairly comfortable ride with plenty of cargo space.
I wasn’t overly impressed with the gas mileage over the week. I traveled just under 300km with the car and most of that (around 200 km) was pure highway driving. I averaged 10L/100km based on my fill up calculation. Unfortunately, the Astra seemed rather thirsty for a car with very little get up and go — let’s all pray for those diesels.
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2008 Saturn Astra
MSRP as tested (including destination): $24,645
For more information on Saturn and the Astra visit GM Canada
to our site.
March 19, 2008, 02:19:53 pm
2700-2800 lbs. is a lightweight car nowadays. Modern cars are serious porkers.
The Honda Civic is 2700-2800 lbs. and it gets low real-world fuel consumption from its 1.8L engine.
March 19, 2008, 02:40:51 pm
The current Saturn Astra is imported from a General Motors Europe plant in Antwerp, Belgium.
New designed Astra is expected as MY2010. (expect the new Opel Astra to debut in Geneva in March 2009)
March 19, 2008, 03:03:57 pm
I've already seen two of the new 2009 Toyota Matrix on the road, and that's only been released for a few weeks. Zero Astras on the road - but when I went to the dealer a couple months ago, the Astra stock seems to be coming in extremely slowly.
Whatever the case, I think the Astra's sunroof is really nice.
2700-2800 lbs. is a lightweight car nowadays. Modern cars are serious porkers.
The Honda Civic is 2700-2800 lbs. and it gets low real-world fuel consumption from its 1.8L engine.
However much some people might hate the Toyota Corolla, the mileage it gets from its 1.8L is undeniable. Except the current gen Civic and Corollas are slightly less efficient because of a bit of added weight - from air bags and safety equipment?
March 19, 2008, 03:57:41 pm
The Astra may be a fine product, but as an owner of a 2006 Saturn Ion 3, I am appalled at the level of quality and non-existent customer service offered by Saturn/GM Canada. My Ion 3 regularly malfunctions despite regular maintenance by the dealer. In fact I have not had a single day of ownership without something being broken on my vehicle. GM Canada, doesn't seem to care and when I call their customer service department, their objective seems to be a mix of blaming the dealer for my problems (the car is a piece of junk and its not the dealer's fault) and to get me off the phone as quick as possible.
I purchased a Honda last year, and unfortunately am still stuck with my Ion 3. The difference in quality between my Honda and Saturn is very apparent. Nothing breaks on my Honda either.
If the Astra is a better vehicle than the Ion, Saturn/GM will have to prove it to me. Unfortunately for them, I'm never going to give them the chance to do that.
Don't tell Barrie this, Saturns are perfect (like all GMs) in his mind!
Seriously, this is an Opel, not a Saturn. They just changed the badge. If you look at the history of this car in Europe, you'll see a long list of positive, long-term reviews.
Yes but his point is still valid. It doesn't matter if its an Opel, Saturn or Seaking Helicopter. GM/Saturn Canada still provides the service/customer service which spg has found terrible.
Honda, Ford, GM all have creap customer service from time to time. A Honda dealer I went into didn't even bother to come over and speak with me. Thankfully, they did that and I walked away and purchased a Kia Sedona instead. Honda's loss!
March 19, 2008, 04:11:09 pm
Based on the horror stories on the Internet we shouldn't be buying any car in order to avoid the risk to get a lemon and/or bad service.
All car companies are equal but some are more equal than others.
March 19, 2008, 04:50:48 pm
What other fwd car offers a 1.8 liter engine that is rated to get 43 mpg hwy. I am guessing that, at 1.8 liters with 2700 or 2800 lbs to move around, this engine is struggling and real world MPG figures will be much lower.
Not unprecendeted, GM could go from 1.8 to 2.2 liters (think J-car of the 80's and 90's) with it's much more modern 2.2 litre ecotec engine first used with the L-series Saturn.
My prediction: it may happen and MPG would be the same or increase, and, real world figures would be closer to the EPA rating.
Just look at the hwy EPA rating for a Camry and Accord with 2.4 liter engines. GM could benefit from a bigger engine in this car alleviating some concerns. Hey, mazda and VW have bigger engines (2.3 and 2.5 litres respectfully) in this market.
I thought the 1.8 was from the ecotec family?It should be a good engine.I think it was said elsewhere on here the car is geared so that it revs quite high on the highway.This is what hurts fuel economy.Stuffing a bigger engine in there is not going to help much. The Mazda 2.3 and VW 2.5 aren't noted for the best fuel economy either even though they are indeed more powerful.
March 19, 2008, 05:14:27 pm You know what's really funny. The only things that feels cheap inside is the Saturn badge on the steering wheel. And I'm not kidding you....
March 19, 2008, 05:55:27 pm
1) Saturn made their reputation selling cars with plastic panels. Not available with an Astra.
2) Saturn made their reputation selling cars for which it's engine had a timing chain: timing belt with the Astra.
3) Saturn made their reputation selling cars with modern engines: Astra's engine has a cast iron block with an aluminum head.
Ummmm that stuff wasn't working for them so they went another way. Does Saturn even sell cars with plastic panels anymore?
March 19, 2008, 06:48:42 pm Nope.
March 19, 2008, 10:50:55 pm I was told this week that it would be about 2 months for the car that I wanted to be delivered...can't wait GM...moved on to Subaru.
March 20, 2008, 10:05:16 am Why is there a chime for the hatch? No hatch should have a chime if left open, I leave mine open when carrying large items all the time.
I find this a good safety feature for the situations when you leave the hatch opened by accident. Other cars only give you a visual indication on the instrument cluster, which you could easily overlook and drive off with the hatch/tailgate opened.
I'm sure, if you read the manual, you can disable the chime for those particular times when you carry large items.
"This really is the only detriment to the Astra — it just feels extremely slow and requires effort to keep the speeds up while on the highway if you are not using cruise control. But while on the highway you will cruise in comfort;..."
Slow is a relative term. How does it compare to the Civic and Corolla in particular which have the same engine size and around the same HP rating? This is something what I'd like to hear. I know you didn't drive them back to back to get a good idea, but I thought you may have an educated opinion...
No point to compare to Mazda3 2.3L and Rabbit 2.5L; it's obvious that the Astra it's just not in the same league when it comes to power.
March 20, 2008, 12:14:11 pm These cars are built for a Diesel engines IMO. Most Astras I think you fine would be sold in Euroland would have a Diesel in them.
March 20, 2008, 12:27:36 pm Just to complete Cortina's comment, we're only getting the 1.8 gas engine 'cause that's the only one mated to an automatic tranny. IIRC, less than 10% of cars on Euro roads have automatics, so demand is just not there.
March 20, 2008, 01:35:31 pm
I guess this would explain a lot about how the Astra runs. The car was not design with autobox in mine.
Wing: I think a trip to a local Saturn dealer maybe in order. go and try the astra in a manual.
March 20, 2008, 01:43:36 pm Why is there a chime for the hatch? No hatch should have a chime if left open, I leave mine open when carrying large items all the time.
Have you check in the manual, to see if it indicates that driving with the rear hatch open may cause exhaust fumes to enter the car
I have seen this written, for vans with rear opening windows
March 20, 2008, 03:02:08 pm I'm sure it says that -- whatever it drove me bonkers. The light is good enough for me. Of course fumes would enter I smell them when I drive my mazda3 with the hatch open, but I don't call Mazda and complain I just deal with it.
March 20, 2008, 03:42:42 pm I suspect the Civic would perform slightly better than the Astra due to 100lb less weight and a 5 vs 4-speed automatic. This care was designed with the manual transmission in mind. The manual astra actually revs higher on the highway than the automatic even though it has one more gear.
March 20, 2008, 04:56:28 pm
March 20, 2008, 08:39:08 pm I drove one of these 1.8Ls when I was in Australia.. and it was outright boring with the 4speed automatic, but a decent product.
They have also got diesel versions, wagons, and convertibles too.. and their SRi Turbo models are quite eye openers!
http://www.holden.com.au/www-holden/action/modeloverview?modelid=26009
I'm not sure if NA versions do this, but in OZ, they have those 'helper' type indicator switches that flash three times at a minor tap. This, combined with it being on the wrong side of the steering wheel made me go bonkers.
March 20, 2008, 09:51:19 pm Yes the 3 tap is a euro car thing -- merc / bmw / audi / vw / chrysler all do this too.
March 21, 2008, 01:04:28 am
The 07 Outlander has it too in addition to the conventional way. I had no idea until I discovered it by mistake ....
March 22, 2008, 08:37:07 pm Win a lease for a year, need to go on a test drive
http://www.astra365.com/register/
March 25, 2008, 01:17:26 am
This is only for residents of Quebec.
March 25, 2008, 07:57:31 am That is crazy
March 26, 2008, 04:30:30 pm I own an Astra and I have to agree that 32/43 mpg (city/highway) is optimistic. That being said, my car currently has about 2100 kilometers on the odometer and I am seeing better gas mileage then I did when the car was spanking new. My first 2 tanks of gas didn't average much better then 9L/100KM. Recently I have seen an average of 8L/100 kilometers and that is combined city and highway. For pure highway driving, I now regularly see 35 mpg, and I have the auto tranny. I just need to keep it between 95-100 km/h. So far I really like this car, despite its tendancy to relax while taking off. But keep in mind it is made to be a high quality econo coupe and not a rocket like and SRT-4 or ION Redline/Cobalt SS.
So far, this car is worth my hard earned cash. If you are thinking of test driving one, go and do it for sure.