Road Test

Vauxhall Astra 1.8 SRi

Test date 06 April 2004  Price as tested £16,235

The ’70s Chevette might not have reversed Ford’s sales advantage, but it did signal the ascendancy of Opel in GM’s European division, something which had a pronounced effect on the development of the first Astra, launched in 1980 and initially sold as a Kadett in the UK. A then-fashionable square-edged body clothed a highly competent car. In 1984 came the futuristically curvy Mk2. The Mk3 of 1991 disappointed with its stodgy handling and staid styling and, although the 1997 Mk4 brought back the driving enjoyment, it has still trailed the Ford Focus in sales terms.

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