Used Vauxhall Astra (Mk8, 2022-date) Buyer’s Guide
- The Vauxhall Astra Mk8 is a refined and enjoyable car to drive
- It has a wide range of powertrains, including petrol, diesel, and electric options
- The Astra represents excellent value as a used buy, especially for petrol models
- It has good build quality and a range of trim levels, including Design, GS, and Ultimate
- Other desirable small family hatches include the Peugeot 308, Hyundai i30, and Mazda 3
- The Astra has a good safety record, with a four-star Euro NCAP rating
- It has a range of standard equipment, including LED headlights and a 10-inch touchscreen
- The Astra is available in hatchback and estate body styles
- It has a range of engine options, including a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel
- The Astra has a good balance of performance and fuel economy
The latest Vauxhall Astra is the most accomplished yet in terms of design, safety, refinement, choice of powertrains and build quality. As a used buy it can also represent excellent value, especially if you’re buying electric, although these are likely to fall the furthest in value over the next few years as the supply of ICE models becomes restricted.
We still reckon that the petrol models are the sweet spot in the range. The Astra is no class leader, but this eighth generation puts up a pretty good fight against rivals, and whether you buy a hatchback or an estate, you’re bound to enjoy driving it.
History
The Vauxhall Astra Mk8 arrived on UK roads in February 2022. The range consisted of a turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engine with 109bhp or 128bhp, or a 128bhp 1.5-litre diesel. There was also a 177bhp 1.6-litre petrol plug-in hybrid introduced soon after.
At first the Astra came only in five-door hatchback form, but by August 2022 there was also an estate, sold as the Sports Tourer. The range expanded in May 2023 with the introduction of the GSe (Grand Sport Electric) hatch and estate, powered by a 222bhp 1.6-litre plug-in hybrid powertrain. A 1.2-litre hybrid model was available from July 2023, followed a month later by the Astra Electric, which also came in Sports Tourer format from March 2024.
Driving and Performance
Forget Astras of old; this latest edition is refined and enjoyable to drive, if not quite as engaging for the driver as a Ford Focus. The handling is rewarding and the ride quality generally good, even if it’s a bit on the firm side.
Vauxhall has been guilty of selling some of the most convoluted and confusing model ranges over the years, but it kept things simple with the Astra which came only in Design, GS and Ultimate forms.
Trim Levels and Equipment
The Design model features LED headlights, a 10-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, climate control and 16-inch alloy wheels. The mid-range GS is the pick of the bunch and this adds adaptive cruise control, sat-nav, a 360-degree camera, dual-zone climate control, heated seats and 17-inch wheels.
Other desirable small family hatches include the Peugeot 308, Hyundai i30, Mazda 3 and Kia Ceed, along with the Honda Civic, Skoda Scala and SEAT Leon; the more costly Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class are also worth a look.
Buying and Owning
Buying an EV? Then check out the Renault Mégane, VW ID.3 and Cupra Born, plus the Citroen e-C4, Kia Niro EV, Hyundai Kona Electric and MG4. All Astras come with a three-year or 60,000-mile warranty. Vauxhall guarantees that the battery of any electric model will still hold 70 per cent of its original charge after eight years or 100,000 miles.