2008 Saturn Astra Review

PROS
Upscale interior materials, Sporty ride and good road holding, Good fuel economy

CONS
Underwhelming engine, Odd control layout, Firm ride may not be everyone's liking

Over the past few years, Saturn as tried to re-invent itself as the Honda of the domestic car market. The General Motor's-owned division has introduced a flurry of new products that are both fuel efficient and fun to drive. Vehicles like Aura, Outlook, and the redesigned VUE are class competitive and steer boldly clear of traditional domestic car values.

It's ironic, but Saturn has actually returned to its roots. When the division started selling cars in 1990, its slogan was, "A different kind of company, a different kind of car." Stand-alone stores offered cars that were built in a unique plant and had plastic body panels. Dealerships adopted a "no haggle" pricing policy. Initial sales were strong and the division developed a loyal, almost fanatical following.

However, the wheels started to fall off at Saturn when the company failed to update its product--it was still selling the same basic car ten years later. However, in 2000, General Motors announced $1.5 billion capital investment in Saturn and undertook the challenge of re-inventing the brand.

The fruits of that labor include an invigorated dealer body and one of the freshest model lineups in the industry. The latest product to come down the assembly line is the Astra. It's a small car that's sourced from GM's European Opel division and competes with vehicles like the Chevrolet Aveo, Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Nissan Versa, and Toyota Yaris.

Astra is available in two trim levels: XE and XR. XE is available only as a four-door hatchback. XR is available as a four-door hatch and a two-door hatch. Both models use a 138-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, while and a four-speed automatic is optional.

Standard safety equipment on both models includes antilock four-wheel disc brakes, tire-pressure monitor, and dual front, front-side, and curtain-side airbags. Stability control is standard on XR two-doors and optional on other models.

XE models come with OnStar assistance system with one-year service, tilt-telescope steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, split-folding rear seat, heated power mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators, power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, rain-sensing variable-intermittent wipers, illuminated visor mirrors, rear defogger, rear wiper, automatic headlights, floormats, theft-deterrent system, and 205/55R16 tires.

XR four-doors add air conditioning, interior air filter, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, steering wheel radio controls, fog lights, and alloy wheels. XR two-doors add traction control, driver-seat lumbar adjustment, sport suspension, and 225/45R17 tires.

Key options include leather upholstery, heated front seats, and sunroof. XE lists for $15,875. XR four-door starts at $17,425, and XR two-door costs $18,375. All models have a $620 destination charge and are assembled in Belgium.

Get Up and Go
Astra may look sporty, but its engine is no powerhouse. Saturn's own 0-60 mph claims of 9.7 seconds with manual transmission and 10.5 seconds trail many vehicles in the class. In reality, the engine has enough power to allow Astra to keep up with traffic as long as the driver keeps his or her right foot firmly planted on the accelerator. When merging onto expressways or in two-lane passing situations, its best to plan ahead, though.

The five-speed manual transmission shifts with surprising smoothness. Throws are short and clearly defined. Clutch action is light, and there's good feel and it's easy to modulate in stop-and-go traffic.

The EPA estimates 24 mpg in city driving and 32 mpg in highway driving for manual-equipped Astras. That's about average for the class. With a light throttle foot and lots of relaxed cruising it's easy to average 30 mpg. Fuel economy dips considerably if you are constantly mired in congested rush hour traffic or have a full load a passengers and cargo. Saturn says that Astra will run fine on regular-grade gasoline.

On the Road
Astra was originally designed with European driving tastes in mind, so the ride is firmer than most Americans might expect. On the XE and XR four-door with the base suspension that means a controlled ride that softens impacts rather than eliminates them. There's little additional bouncing or bobbing that's common on softly-sprung subcompacts.

XR two-doors have a sport suspension, which is optional on the XR four-door. The ride in these vehicles is hard enough that it will turn off all but the true enthusiast. Saturn should considering offering the softer suspension on the two-door XR as well.

Models with the base suspension ride with big-car composure, have better than class-average road holding, and minimal body lean in fast turns. Sport-suspension models are even more athletic feeling when the road grows twisty. Regardless of suspension, the accurate steering is nicely weighted and the brakes have ample stopping power.

The four-cylinder engine sounds a coarse in hard acceleration but cruises nearly silently as long as speeds are below about 60 mph. Above that, the engine emits a modest buzz that can annoy. Wind and road noise are also intrusive at highway speeds, but never overwhelmingly so.

On the whole, Astra feels more nimble than most competitors. That sporty feeling may be a positive to some and a turn-off to others.

Behind the Wheel
Given its sub-$18,000 price tag, the interior of the Astra is surprisingly upscale. The dash top and door panels have a highbrow soft-touch texture and the headliner wouldn't be out of place in a $35,000 luxury car. Additionally, brushed-aluminum-look accents brighten the interior.

Gauges are simple and straight forward dials. Window and mirror switches are right where they should be, though the power lock button is on the center of the dashboard. Audio controls are unlike those offered in any other General Motors product. They aren't simple to use and feature cryptic buttons and an odd control interface. Climate controls are placed low on the center stack, but thankfully consist of simple dials.

Front seats are typical economy-car fare. They are comfortable and have good support, though they are sized somewhat smaller than a standard seat. Head room is good, but taller drivers will want a touch more leg room. The standard tilt-telescope steering wheel is a nice touch at this price point but the lack of a center armrest is an obvious cost-cutting move. Outward visibility is good, though the view is somewhat restricted to the rear three-quarters on two-door models.

Adults will find the rear seats of the four-door surprisingly accommodating. Head room is good and leg room adequate as long as the front seats aren't moved all the way back. Coupe models have considerably less knee space, so its rear seat is best left to children. Getting to the back seat is a bend and twist maneuver that's awkward at best.

Both body styles offer class-average cargo room and hatchback access is a plus for loading larger items. Obviously, security is a bit of an issue, though. Rear seats are split 60/40 and fold nearly flat in a snap. Interior storage space is modest, and there is only one front-seat cupholder.

Bottom Line
Astra is an interesting and much-needed offering for Saturn dealerships. While it's sized like a low-priced subcompact, the car feels decidedly upscale. The interior is surprisingly roomy as well--as long as you aren't trying to squeeze in four large adults.

Though fuel economy is good, it's a shame the engine isn't a little more powerful or refined. The firm ride probably isn't for everyone either. In a way the athletic suspension gives Astra some much-needed character and helps set it apart from many of its other competitors.

Given today's rising gas prices, a car like Astra makes a lot of sense. Prices are slightly higher than some other subcompacts, but there are a lot of standard features and the car offers more refinement than most in the class. Saturn dealerships are known for their consumer-friendly atmosphere and the no-haggle pricing it a huge plus for people who are looking for a low-stress buying experience.