CD Article: 2008 Saturn Astra

[CD_Editor]

Today's First Drive:


Transplanted directly from Europe, the Saturn Astra offers an exceptional driving experience, says Assistant Editor Jil McIntosh, although it comes with a few interior issues that buyers will have to examine.
   
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Read the article | View the photos | All The First Drives

[2hondas]

That is the grayest interior I have ever seen.

[carcrazy]

I like it! I especially like the interior (gray). I have few questions though:
1. Is there a front armrest in between the seats?
2. What is the fuel economy
3. Is that front cup holder usable? Does it look like an afterthought?

[Schmengie]

  I like it. It looks like GM's best small-car effort to date, at least on this side of the pond. If it had been available when I bought my Versa a couple of months ago, I would have given the Astra a serious look.

[MKII]

2. What is the fuel economy

USA specs 1.8l  24/30 mpg (auto) and 24/32 (manual)

[Greg B.]

Despite all the good qualities of this car, if Jil's review is accurate I get the feeling that this car will not do well in the North American market for some reason. It just seems too "Euro" -- or perhaps more accurately, not North Americanized enough -- and overpriced for big success.

[tpl]

 
I am not sure that I would buy a car with automatically locking doors UNLESS the dealer would plug in the computer and turn them OFF!   I bet it needs two clicks of the remote to open all the doors as well.  I am not claustrophobic but I just think it is one of those totally dumb ideas put in by someone who drives through Detroit at night.  I am sure these things are controlled by one of the computers but will GM dealers turn them off.  BMW dealers do as I had my car done the day after I collected it.
"Changed the lights"  which probably means no HIDs even as an expensive option although in the photos they do look like HIDs or at the least projectors.
Rain sensing wipers. why I wonder. A switch is cheaper.

I see that the GM Canada site still does not have a "build your Astra"  but I am sure it will within a week.

[tortoise]

This looks like a great effort from GM.  Kudos to them for FINALLY bringing a car across the Atlantic without taking away the edgy style and fun to drive character.

If the reliability proves to be decent I would consider this when my P5 has its wheels fall off.   I don't like the looks in grey, especially with the wheel covers, it looks far more striking in blue.

One concern would be the TINY opening for the hatch.  I often stuff my mountain bike upright (with the front tire off) in the back of my car uand would have to check in person that it could fit.

[AVToller]

I am not sure that I would buy a car with automatically locking doors UNLESS the dealer would plug in the computer and turn them OFF!   

I find that "feature" a major turn-off (pun intended) as well. I know that some others differ.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

This car feels super solid. More than the Mazda3, equivalent to the Rabbit. I would say it feels even more German than the Rabbit, even tho I find the Rabbit more appealing overall (larger interior space with better entry/exit, more foot room - my large feet hit the underside of the dash, easy to use as if they thought of everything, seats, cup holders, and engine size). I like the feel of the buttons and the central display, although did notice some annoyances like Jil. Hope it's reliable, too. Still, the Astra has a tonne of equipment for a rather incredible price (European for the price of a Domestic!), should net better fuel economy, and the 3dr is uber slick. Really think this product deserves to do well. And it will. If you're shopping this market segment it needs to be on your list.

[jcon]

I am not sure that I would buy a car with automatically locking doors UNLESS the dealer would plug in the computer and turn them OFF!   

I find that "feature" a major turn-off (pun intended) as well. I know that some others differ.

I find it as useful as the old Hyundai door locks, where you had to hold the handle up while closing the door to lock it.

[Jameel]

Very good looking car, especially the 2 door.

Good for GM to bring this car to NA.

[jcon]

Very good looking car, especially the 2 door.

Good for GM to bring this car to NA.

Good job, but poor timing? At least for them?
 
With the slumping dollar, I wonder what sort of profit they can make on these in the US. If it fails to generate a lot of profit, they may drop it, and use that as an excuse not to bring Euro models here again. Pessimist in me.

[stodge]

I would have driven this if it was on the market a month or so ago. I like this car; I drove the equivalent in England a couple of years ago. I hope it does well to prove the concept of selling euro cars in NA.

[UmroAyyar]

Looks like a brilliant car.

Serious competition to Mazda3 hatch yet?

[carcrazy]

Looks like a brilliant car.

Serious competition to Mazda3 hatch yet?

I don't know. I was trying to look at it as a Mazda3 Sport/Rabbit competitor, but its inferior power train (1.8L I4 and 4-speed A/T) lacks behind. I would regard it as one of the few hatchbacks left (Matrix/Vibe/Caliber) in the compact car segment (C class) with up to 2.0L I4 engines. The Astra is decently priced for what you get and I think paying 1K more for a dose of European feel may be worth for some.

[Cord]

I am not sure that I would buy a car with automatically locking doors UNLESS the dealer would plug in the computer and turn them OFF!

Most modern cars I've seen with this feature also allow the owner to enable/disable it. Just need to read the manual for the procedure.

I like this feature in cars that simultaneously unlock and open the door with one handle. Vehicles that require first unlocking then opening are a PITA.

[Vil]

Did I read the article correctly? The automatic is only a 4-speed?  That's unacceptable in this segment considering it mediocre power output and the fact that its competitors have at least 5-speeds. 

I drove a Turbo Astra a couple of years ago in Germany.  It was OK but nothing special.

Frankly, the more I read the specs of the Saturn version the less value I see.

[UmroAyyar]

1.8L engine producing 140hp doesn't sound mediocre to me. Thats almost 10 more than the Corolla with same displacement. Others like Civic and Mazda3 have 2.0L engines.

I do have few questions though.

What would a 5-speed Auto transmission do to improve this car?

Quite a few cars and small crossovers have 4-speed auto transmissions.

[MKII]

Very good looking car, especially the 2 door.

Good for GM to bring this car to NA.

Good job, but poor timing? At least for them?
 
With the slumping dollar, I wonder what sort of profit they can make on these in the US. If it fails to generate a lot of profit, they may drop it, and use that as an excuse not to bring Euro models here again. Pessimist in me.

GM will not profit on this vehicle, but they decided to bring it to N.A. as a perception changer, which both GM and Ford need to do.  I predict the Astra will be  a vehicle that will steal some sales from Honda, Toyota and Mazda. Moreso in Canada, but I fear USA consumers will buy some 2 doors, but the 5 door will tank.