NY Times Reviews Saturn Astra

[tghost]

Traveling on Dual Passports


Failing to penetrate General Motors’ secure corporate sanctum, I’m forced to imagine the signs of culture shock: apfelstrudel has replaced Krispy Kremes at morning meetings. Engineers are boning up on Kant and Schopenhauer, loading Kraftwerk onto their iPods.
Under this program, the Saturn lineup has gone from sale-priced and plastic-clad to shapely and sophisticated — and done it in record time. As the company’s general manager, Jill Lajdziak, notes, the oldest model in Saturn showrooms was born just 18 months ago. The transformation can be traced to Opel, the German subsidiary of G.M. that helpfully donated the European-bred vehicles that became Saturn’s Aura sedan and the Vue crossover wagon.

The latest cultural exchange student is the Astra, a small Opel hatchback that other G.M. subsidiaries sell in markets from Northern Ireland to New Zealand.

The Astra is a solid little car, though I wonder what kind of welcome it will get here, at least initially. Not only is it a hatchback, which usually ensures niche status, the Astra is resolutely European, seemingly laser-focused on Continental tastes. And like all of the new Saturn models, it costs substantially more than the car it replaces.

Saturn’s previous attempt at a small car, the Ion, was as dumbed-down as a beer-swilling frat boy on a Panama City spring break, with similar straight-line tracking. But as another entry in a long line of innocuous G.M. compacts, it was at least familiar.
The Astra is light-years ahead of the Ion. And if G.M.’s traditional customers need an automotive Berlitz course to grasp the Saturn’s more rigorous and stylish approach, so be it, I say. The Astra makes a strong opening argument with its oversize headlamps, steeply raked windshield and stylish flared hips. It comes as a two- or four-door hatchback; the cars are almost identical in size, with the four-door’s roof rising 1.5 inches higher. I drove both models over eight days of testing.

Inside, the Astra presents an intelligent yet somewhat dour face; the coldly metallic center control panel reminded me of an old Marantz stereo. Yet the Astra does well by features, safety and craftsmanship. The seats are firm and well-shaped. The door panels and trim fit tightly.

MORE: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/02/au...=1&oref=slogin

Click Here for Saturn Astra Photos

[dindak]

I sat in a couple of Astras at the autoshow last month, they were better than I thought they would be. I am not a small car fan, but they should sell well. If only they were made in Spring Hill and had some volume for GM.

[Sparta]

All these Astra reviews say the same thing when it comes to great handling and lackluster engine performance.

*cough redline*

[CamaroCrazy]

Originally Posted by Sparta

All these Astra reviews say the same thing when it comes to great handling and lackluster engine performance.

*cough redline*

I got the same impression. I drove a 3 door XR with a 5 speed a few weeks back. The engine definitely feels more powerful than its 138hp rating and for most people that might be fine, but knowing people like us on this forum, we can't look at a car like this without saying "Red Line". Knowing there are higher power Astras in Europe makes it even more agonizing.

Definitely fun to drive and a very tight, precise driving dynamic to it.

[Saturn69]

I am so tired of people who say that the Astra costs more than the Ion. Well duh! Of course it does. Unless you option out an Ion - if the equipment is even available - to match the features on the Astra, then you get an Ion that costs just as much, if not more than the Astra. Don't they ever take that into consideration or is it just easier to reiterate the same crap that everyone else reports so as not to expend any energy or thought in doing some actual research? Also, why did the author list the prices for the 2-door XR and then say he was driving th XR 5-door?

"My Astra XR two-door started at $18,495 and reached $20,380 with an optional leather package, heated seats, a six-disc stereo and 18-inch alloy wheels."

"My four-door test car, equipped with the optional four-speed automatic transmission"

Which one is it? Also, if he picked the optional automatic shouldn't he be slapped for complaining about the performance and expense? It's a very expensive option, too. And then he lists the fuel economy numbers for the 5-speed manual. What the heck did he drive? Or did he even see the car? Typical slip-shod reporting that criticizes an American company. Well, it is the NYT after all. If it were a Honda they'd love it.

[Sparta]

Originally Posted by CamaroCrazy

I got the same impression. I drove a 3 door XR with a 5 speed a few weeks back. The engine definitely feels more powerful than its 138hp rating and for most people that might be fine, but knowing people like us on this forum, we can't look at a car like this without saying "Red Line". Knowing there are higher power Astras in Europe makes it even more agonizing.

Exactly

[eaton53]

Which one is it? Also, if he picked the optional automatic shouldn't he be slapped for complaining about the performance and expense? It's a very expensive option, too. And then he lists the fuel economy numbers for the 5-speed manual. What the heck did he drive? Or did he even see the car? Typical slip-shod reporting that criticizes an American company. Well, it is the NYT after all. If it were a Honda they'd love it.

He said he drove them both.

I sat in these at the Chicago Auto Show and like the Civic (and basically everything else it its class) don't see a car that's worth anywhere near a $6K premium over my much faster Cobalt SS.

[KIDDIESEL79]

I like the 2-door a lot. Very comfortable and good proportions, but needs an extra cupholder. I'm not the only one in the car drinking coffee lol.

[TaHoE]

My girlfriend's lease on her 2005 VUE is up in November. She is getting terrible mileage (roughly 12 miles per gallon !) so she is looking at the Astra. She seems to like it a lot! I will keep you all filled in on her progression, but I absolutely love this car.

[SAngelo]

This is a fine little car, however, please bring us a four door and two door with trunk and an optional turbo motor. Also maybe a 6 speed auto option with optional Nav and more cupholders !!!!! Come on GM !!!!!

[bone]

I don't understand why hatchbacks have such a bad rap in the USA. Hatchs are very popular in Canada and of course in the ROW. Would someone please explain.

[logansowner]

Originally Posted by TaHoE

My girlfriend's lease on her 2005 VUE is up in November. She is getting terrible mileage (roughly 12 miles per gallon !) so she is looking at the Astra. She seems to like it a lot! I will keep you all filled in on her progression, but I absolutely love this car.

She driving with 4 seized rotors? Commuting up Everest to work? Just curious, but I'd like to know how on earth a vehicle like that only gets 12 mpg?

[YupYupYup]

Originally Posted by bone

I don't understand why hatchbacks have such a bad rap in the USA. Hatchs are very popular in Canada and of course in the ROW. Would someone please explain.

It is the same as Canada, it depends where you go...Hatches are popular in Toronto and Montreal (city centers), but not as much in other areas. It can be regionally based in the U.S., just like in Canada. If it is crowded (Montreal parking is a nightmare!), sure you will see more hatches. California and high gas prices might drive some towards a hatchback, but not all areas.

Different strokes for different folks...Not much more explanation than that.

[jkennedy293]

Originally Posted by CamaroCrazy

I got the same impression. I drove a 3 door XR with a 5 speed a few weeks back. The engine definitely feels more powerful than its 138hp rating and for most people that might be fine, but knowing people like us on this forum, we can't look at a car like this without saying "Red Line". Knowing there are higher power Astras in Europe makes it even more agonizing.

Definitely fun to drive and a very tight, precise driving dynamic to it.

I loved the Astra when I test drove one. I would have been hard-pressed to walk out of the dealership without one if their was a Redline version. I went around several corners hard, and there was barely any body roll.

[Gm786]

These guys had absolutely too much to complain for. I don't agree with the review. I think the new Saturn Astra is a much better small car then what they were making it out to be. I would love to see more reviews......