OUR Best Value SME Company Car in the SME Company Car of the Year Awards is the latest Vauxhall Astra in 1.6 CDTi Design 110PS ecoFLEX form.
The latest Astra has already made its mark on the compact-family class, with its impressive levels of comfort, keen drive and the amount of standard tech fitted.
The winning car is the 1.6 CDTi Design 110PS ecoFLEX 5dr, this means this Vauxhall hatch can achieve unbelievable CO2 emissions of just 88g/km.
On top of low emissions, this Vauxhall has an impressively low combined fuel figure of 85.6mpg, which along with the low emissions equals a 20% BIK charge .
Best Value Company Car – The Contenders:
- Vauxhall Astra 1.6 CDTi Design 110PS ecoFLEX 5dr
- Skoda Octavia Estate 1.6 TDI CR SE Technology 110PS
- SEAT Ateca 1.0 TSI Ecomotive S 115PS
- Renault Kadjar 1.5 dCi 110 Dynamique
- Jaguar XE 2.0d R-Sport 163PS Auto
Last year’s winner was Mercedes C 350e PHEV Sport Auto Saloon
So we know this Astra gives amazing CO2 emissions and fuel economy, but is there a chink in the performance?
This Astra is still capable of a respectable 115mph, with acceleration to 62mph taking just 11.8 seconds.
What our judges thought:
“Best Value – In terms of overall whole life costs, Astra is the most cost effective option.
“Its impressive 85mpg tips the balance, despite Ateca having a lower CH rental. Astra also enjoys the lowest BIK charge.”
The key reasons why the Astra won
Thanks to improved engine efficiency, the Asta is impressively affordable to run as a business car.
Returning 83.1mpg and 85.6g/km of CO2, this Vauxhall hatchback gives excellent power and torque while still achieving competitive fuel economy and emissions, delivering useful financial savings to SMEs.
Vauxhall Astra 1.6 CDTi Design 110PS ecoFLEX 5dr
- CO2: 88g/km
- Fuel consumption: 85.6mpg
- Acceleration: 11.8 seconds
- Maximum speed: 115mph
- Insurance group: 14
- P11D value: £18,520
- Company car tax band: 20%
- BIK: £3,704
- Tax at 20%: £741
- Tax at 40%: £1,482
Impressive equipment levels built for business car drivers on the move.
With ‘Design’ trim, you get 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, a DAB stereo with Bluetooth, a 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay compatibility, cruise control and all round power mirrors and windows.
Despite the impressively high specification, the P11D value is very competitive at just £18,520.
Combined with low running costs, this offers business owners and decision makers some compelling whole life cost (WLC) savings.
With this combination of value for money, efficiency and appeal, Astra is the 2016 European Car of the Year for good reason.
- The Business Car Manager SME Company Car of the Year Awards 2017 are supported by Fleet Alliance.
