Vauxhall Astra Hatchback (04-10) - Review

The interior is a vast improvement over the previous car. There's enough room in the back for three (although the centre seat can be a bit of squeeze) and there's adequate headroom. The seats are firm and supportive enough for longer trips however road rumble is noticeable and the diesels can be a bit clattery on - particularly on start-up -and can be intrusive on motorway journeys.

Boot space isn't as good as some models in the class, but it's still more than acceptable for the needs of a small family and large enough for the weekly shop. It falls down on practicality when it comes to larger loads though - the handsome shape of the bodywork translates into an awkward boot opening and there's a pronounced lip that makes getting things inside a bit tricky. The rear seats can't fold totally flat either because the cushion is fixed and stowage up front is very poor too.

The driving environment is quite cramped and storage is in short supply but the worst aspect is the flawed ergonomics – as the air vents are at the top of the centre console, controls for the stereo and ventilation systems are awkwardly located low down, while the air-con isn't very straightforward to use. However, the quality of the finish is impressive and the dash-top plastics, well damped switches and solid doors all help to create an air of quality.