Vauxhall Astra GSe review: Finally, a faster Astra - or just a pricey PHEV?

10 November 2023 , 16:34

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I'm old enough to remember the Vauxhall Astra GSi. And I mean the early 1990s ones with 8v engines and quirky bonnet vents.

It followed the GTE into hot hatch royalty in an era when cars were basic and light and fun and worshipped by teenagers. And I was one of those teenagers at the time.

And now Vauxhall has launched a new hot hatch into the mix, the GSe. And now that we've all grown up and become environmentally responsible, it's a plug-in hybrid. Stay with me.

It has 223bhp and 360nm of torque. Which is close to the output of the then ludicrous Astra VXR.

Vauxhall Astra GSe review: Finally, a faster Astra - or just a pricey PHEV? qhidddiqztidrtinv

So is it another Astra VXR? Well, no. Not really. It doesn't look as lairy, and it doesn't torque steer its tyres into oblivion every time you give it the beans.

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In modern terms, however, it is a closer comparison to the GSi. But, of course, it's bigger, heavier and, disappointingly, it comes with an automatic gearbox.

While it's not exactly an ostentatious thing to look at, it is remarkably handsome. The eighth generation of Astra has come along at a time when Vauxhall's design language has swung back towards a very angular and purposeful stance, after many years of curvaceous but pretty styling.

In fact, I'm struggling to think of a car that's taken such giant leaps in design throughout its evolution. But I digress. Overall, the latest Astra looks fab. I love the upright grille, the black roof, and the slim rear lights. It's at its best in white, in my opinion.

So, aesthetically at least, it's definitely a sporty car. The 0–62mph dash is dusted off in 7.5 seconds and top speed is 146mph. It has a 10mm lower ride height than standard and trick suspension with a smart traction control setup.

The trouble is, it doesn't feel as sporty as you'd perhaps hope, in practice. I think it's largely down to the eight-speed gearbox, which is shared with some of its Stellantis stablemates such as Peugeot. Its weight and a slightly laggy engine doesn't help much, either.

Happily, though, ride comfort is excellent. The stiffer suspension doesn't cause any trouble, because the damping is so well judged, and a comfortable and spacious cabin just adds to the refinement.

The Astra's plug-in hybrid system is good for up to 39 miles in EV mode, but expect more like 30ish on a good day, and theoretical MPG is astronomical, obviously, if you keep it topped up.

The key figure here is a 25g/km emissions rating, which will make it a rather cheap car to own, especially for fleet managers.

And the interior is a nice place to be, too. The digital screens that dominate the dash are quick to respond and well laid out, and there's a useful smattering of physical buttons too.

Some of the materials used are questionable, such as the sliding covers over the storage areas in the centre console - they were easily marked in my test car, and the sharp angles of the dashboard look good now, but I'm not sure how well they'll age.

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But there's good space in the back visibility is pretty good, a deep boot is welcome and the fit and finish feels excellent.

So it might not be the lively hot hatch we were hoping for, but it is quick, it drives fairly well, and it looks fab.

Cheap running costs will make up for the fact, at least a little, that the GSe starts at £41,450. And it feels like Vauxhall has more up its sleeve.

We already know an electric version is on the way, and it's entirely possible we might one day see a VXR version - or perhaps a VXe?

Either way, the new Astra is a great car and, while I'm not sure the GSe is the sporty version many of us hoped it would be, as a top-of-the-range halo car, at least for now, it's pretty good.