Holden astra 2016 review

​Posted on Nov 28, 2016

Holden has a big surprise in store for us: the Astra 2016. Its sleek, cutting edge design is definitely an attraction point for many drivers. At the same time, it is equipped with state-of-the-art technology that isn’t available in the majority of Holden Astra’s competitors. The manufacturer has aimed at redefining the small-car segment, by reassessing how a Holden small car should be conveyed.

Nonetheless, all these features do come at a cost. All in all, this vehicle is a top choice for the Australian driver looking for a compact car.

​What We Liked
Sleek, modern design; excellent road holding
​What We Didn't
Genuinely expensive, especially since the advanced safety tech is optional on base car

What it's Got:

The new Astra is shorter than before, being 4370mm long. Also, its packaging efficiency has been drastically improved, by adding an extra 35mm of rear legroom. The height reaches 25mm, which is just enough to ensure the comfort of the drive.

By using light, yet high-quality materials, the vehicle is 130 kg lighter than the previous versions. A diminished mass is translated into enhanced fuel economy and improved dynamic performance.

The adaptive LED matrix headlights are an excellent feature, and the technology used can be compared to the one used by models ten times the price of Astra. Right at the top of the windscreen, there’s a front-facing camera, which is the central piece of Astra’s safety suite. The car’s autonomous emergency braking system functions at speeds up to 80km/h, and it may stop the vehicle to avoid a potential car crash at speeds under 40km/h.

Without fear of contradiction, the new Astra illustrates Holden’s daring plan of upgrading its image and reputation from mainstream to upmarket. Therefore, we could say that the new Astra is designed to appeal to the taste of the people who didn’t even consider purchasing from this manufacturer before.

In other words, the luxurious design of the vehicle is meant to appeal to individuals who appreciate European sophistication. This is a car targeted at a particular segment of the population. For those that can afford the vehicle, we could say that it is a worthy investment.

Description for Holding Page:

Holden engineers didn’t redo the European suspension; they did, however, adjust the shift patterns to the auto transmission, to meet the demands of Australian driving conditions. Although this may appear as a technicality, such attention to details separates the new Astra from the crowd.

The first impression with the car was good. The vehicle feels like a combination of the sharpness provided by the Mazda3 and the comfort associated with VW Golf. Nonetheless, since the grip offered by the car is a great one, it comes with a cost: a noisier drive.

An impressive feature is the way in which the suspension absorbs road thumps and bumps, which are commonly met on most Aussie roads.

The 1.4 engine has enough power for daily grind. Nonetheless, those looking for a boosted performance should consider the 1.6 engine. Still, note that, when the engine is more powerful, that demands premium unleaded.

The disadvantages? We couldn’t say there are many. One of them might be that there is only one USB port, and the driver receives an auto-up power window switch. Plus, the price is rather steep.

​Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cyl turbo/ 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo
​Torque: 110kW/240Nm/ 147kW/300Nm
​Transmission: 6-speed man/auto
​Fuel: 5.8L-6.5L/100km
​Price: From $25,312 drive-away
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Average: 5 (1 vote)