Review of the New Saturn Astra

Enthusiasts here in the States have long wondered why they couldn't buy Ford and GM small cars from Eurpoe, and at least part of the answer has been that Americans don't want to pay big bucks for premium small cars. Spiking gasoline prices have quelled that argument, and fuel economy is now towards the top of shoppers' lists when looking for a new car or truck.

GM has made the cross-Atlantic jump by importing the Astra to our shores. The Astra is a hot-selling hatch in Eurpoe with high-end amenities and very good fuel economy, and the model is shipping to the U.S. with little to differentiate it from it's Euro twin.

This Salsa Red five-door Saturn Astra XR came equipped with 17-inch wheels, leather seating surgaces and an enormous dual-panel sunroof that brought the price tag to $21,955. Features like ABS and traction control, keyless entry, cruise control and moisture sensitive automatic wipers are sometimes optional in midsize offerings, but you get those features standard in the Astra. Building cars in Europe and shipping them across 3,000 miles of ocean isn't cheap, and GM wants to make sure nobody mistakes the Astra for an ecomoy commuter. By virtue of its rear hatch and athletic stance, the Astra looks the part of a Euro small car. Large, five-spoke wheels and rich-looking finish give onlookers the impression that the Astra is no run-of-the-mill econobox.

On the inside, the Astra XR is far better than any small car that GM has created in its 100-year history, at least in the U.S. Soft-touch materials; comfortable, supportive leather seats; and a terrific little steering wheel that feels like it belongs in something more expensive made us want to be inside teh sporty little Astra for more than just running errands. Our favorite option was by far the monstrous panoramic moonroof that looks like it belongs in a Cadillac or Mercedes, not a $22,000 car. The retractable roof panel spans the entire length of the front seats, with the rear section reaching all the way to the back seats.

While Americans appear to be allergic to hatchbacks, we have no idea what the fuss is about. Not only do they often look great, their added cargo capacity is a real plus. From the outside, the Astra's hatch looks almost trivial, but pop the liftgate and there's a cavernous hole ready to swallow a bunch of your stuff. If more room is needed, simply fold the rear seats and you've got enough space for a trip to Sam's Club.

On the road, the Astra's European ride and handling were a real plus. Its quick-ratio electro-hydraulic power steering is crisp and well-weighted, which gave us the urge to drive the 2,900 lb hatch with more abandon than we probably should. A long, 102.9-inch wheelbase pushes the wheels to the far corners, which helps provide a sportier ride while also offering additional cabin space. The Astra's suspension is firm yet still comfortable enough for everyday driving, and we happily tackled corners and entrance ramps at speed. The Astra seems to prefer being driven vigorously since it doesn't protest with body roll and the tires found no reason to squeal. If you do wander across the line of good sense, the traction control system steps in and helps you regain composure.

While we would have a liked a little more pop at the pedal, the Astra's 138-hp 1.8L four-cylinder was more than adequate fof most driving conditions. The optional four-speed automatic transmission was smooth and capable, but as usual, a five-speed manual would have been more fun and possibly more fuel efficient. That said, fuel economy was an impressive 28 mpg in mixed driving conditions, which is the best fuel economy this blogger has had in any car over the past year. While the standard four-banger was sufficient, the Astra's lively driving characterisitcs beg for the 260-hp direct-inject turbo found in all manner of SS, GXP, and Red Line vehicles here in the U.S. Short of that, we'd happily accept the 240 horses offered in the Euro-spec Astra OPC.

The Saturn Astra isn't going to be the least expensive small car on the block, but the Euro five-door has the looks, quality, handling and charisma to compete with the best brands in the small car arena like VW and Honda. Enthusiasts have been begging for a hot European small car here in the U.S., and with the Saturn Astra, GM has finally delivered.

Taken from Autoblog Garage