Vauxhall Astra Hatchback 1.7CDTi 16v Exclusiv 130PS ecoFLEX Start/Stop
Car review: Sam Hardy
What is it?
THE most efficient Vauxhall Astra yet. New 128bhp (130ps) 1.7-litre diesel ecoFLEX gets a whole host of tweaks – stop-start, low rolling resistance tyres, an active grille shutter, lower ride height and brake energy recovery – which means that it emits just 99g/km of CO2 and, Vauxhall claims, fuel economy of 76.3mpg. It costs £20,725.
What’s hot?
- The fact that it sits in a 13 percent company car tax band and costs nothing in road tax
- Plus, it’s exempt from the London congestion charge too
- The 128bhp (130PS) engine has plenty of shove and certainly doesn’t feel like an eco-special, doing 0-60mph in 10.4 seconds
- It’s more powerful and faster than a VW Golf Bluemotion too
- The start-stop system is fuss-free and works even from cold; rival systems take a while to warm up
- The handling is tidy with not much body roll and precise steering
- Cabin quality is good with neat red mood lighting…
- …everything is laid out logically. It’s a very easy car to live with and copes well on the motorway
- 100% first year writing down tax allowances
What’s not?
- A Golf Bluemotion is another 99g/km car, but it costs less. And it should hold onto its value better too
- The engine is a bit rattly and sounds harsh at high revs
- The ride is rather stiff; it doesn’t soak up bumps like a Golf
- A new Ford Focus ECOnetic is due later in 2012, which does 80mpg and 89g/km
Vauxhall Astra Hatchback 1.7CDTi 16v Exclusiv 130PS ecoFLEX Start/Stop – the low-down
| P11D Value: | £ 20,670 |
| Monthly business rental (ex VAT): | From £251 (3yrs/30,000 miles) |
| Tax Bands 2011/12 to 2013/14: | 13%, 14%, 15% |
| Benefit in kind 2011/12 to 2013/14: | £2,687, £2,894, £3,101 |
| Engine: | 1.7 4 cyl turbocharged diesel |
| CO2 Emissions: | 99g/km |
| Power/torque: | 130PS/280Nm |
| 0-62mph/top speed: | 11.4 secs/117mph |
| Economy (official): | 76.3mpg |
Business Car Manager Road Test Verdict
Viewed on its own, the Vauxhall Astra is a pretty good car – it’s very cheap to run and drives well. As a business car, it will make a lot of sense especially when you look at the company car tax calculator.
Trouble is, in a company car comparison with rivals like the VW Golf Bluemotion – which is cheaper to buy and a better all-rounder to boot – not to mention new models like the Focus ECOnetic on the way, the Astra’s case is totally dependent on the size of the discount you can get on that hefty asking price – or the cheapness of a deal on a business car contract hire lease.
