It’s worth thinking about Vauxhall Astra hatchback running costs. If you’re buying an Astra from new, then depreciation will be the biggest burden, although it’s likely to lose a similar amount of its value as cars like the Ford Focus and Peugeot 308. All the engines offer good economy and are reasonable to tax – in particular the 1.7 CDTi, 1.4 petrol and the new 1.6 CDTi which has an official fuel economy figure starting at 76.3mpg combined.

Service intervals are long too at 20,000 miles or two years (compared to 12,500 miles or 12 months in the Ford Focus) while Vauxhall servicing costs are affordable. Insurance ratings are lower than the previous Astra too with the 100bhp 1.7 CDTi models group 4 or 5 and the 1.4 Turbo in group 5.

Vauxhall Astra hatchback emissions are fairly impressive. All the engines in the range are economical and even the top 1.6 Turbo returns 42mpg and puts out 159g/km of CO2 – impressive considering it produces 180bhp. The 1.7 CDTi is the most efficient and both 110bhp and 125bhp versions average 60mpg while emitting 124g/km of CO2.

For company car drivers, new for 2014 is the 1.6 CDTi diesel engine, with two power outputs available has CO2 emissions starting from 97g/km.

Vauxhall Astra hatchback reliability is pretty good. Overall, the previous Astra was a reliable car, although there were some minor problems when it was first launched. However, newer Vauxhall models like the Insignia have proved trouble-free and this Astra feels very well built.