ASTRA VXR REVIEWED
If you are looking for a small family hatch but want something a bit sporty too, and Subaru costs are a little too high for your liking, you could do worse than considering Vauxhall’s Astra VXR.
Certainly the car is a step up from previous Vauxhall hot-hatches, which have been blighted by a reputation of being driven by wreckless, McDonald’s milkshake sipping feral teenages. This is no Corsa Sport, the VXR looks classy and well built. The interior is also luxurious, rivalling – if not beating – that of the Focus RS and the Civic Type R, the VXR’s nearest rivals.
Performance wise the Astra is also hugely impressive. 0-60 in around 6 second and topping out at around 156 miles per hour, making this the fastest Astra Vauxhall have ever released. The engine produces 240 BHP, which sounds great, but this is where the problems start. You see the Astra VXR is front wheel drive, and although not a major issue, there are problems getting it all down. While the RS Focus and Type R are a little less powerful and a little more nimble, Vauxhall seems to have gone for the performance figures factor to sell the car. While that extra power does give the car more straight line speed, it is left for dead on the race track with tests putting it several seconds of the pace. Vauxhall may have been better advised putting more work into the suspension and braking.
Still the VXR should not be written off. It is cheaper than it’s rivals, every bit stylish and more comfortable. It won’t please the purists, but someone looking for some dirty fun in an old school hot hatch will absolutely love the VXR. One to try before you buy.
Tags: Vauxhall