Which Vauxhall Astra Version Should You Buy?
The Vauxhall Astra version to choose depends chiefly on performance, fuel use, transmission and body style. Among the measured cars, the fourth-generation 2.0 MT with 190 hp is the performance leader, reaching 100 km/h in 7 seconds and 240 km/h. For lower measured fuel consumption, the sixth-generation 1.4 MT with 140 hp and a 6.1 L/100 km combined figure is the strongest candidate.
The Vauxhall Astra version to choose depends chiefly on performance, fuel use, transmission and body style. Among the measured cars, the fourth-generation 2.0 MT with 190 hp is the performance leader, reaching 100 km/h in 7 seconds and 240 km/h. For lower measured fuel consumption, the sixth-generation 1.4 MT with 140 hp and a 6.1 L/100 km combined figure is the strongest candidate. Buyers wanting an open car can compare the third- and fifth-generation Cabrio ranges, while the first generation provides an Estate 5-door option. The supplied catalogue covers 6 generations, from 1979–1984 through 2009–2015.
Vauxhall Astra generations compared
The first generation, produced from 1979 to 1984, is an Estate 5-door with 8 versions. Its engines range from 1196 to 1796 cm³ and from 52 to 115 hp. Every listed version is FWD and uses a 4-speed Manual gearbox. Ground clearance is 150 mm, the highest figure among the generations shown.
The second generation, dated 1984–1990, is a Cabrio with 28 versions, although the supplied version list shows 12. These include 3-speed Automatic, 4-speed Manual and 5-speed Manual configurations. The shown engines span 1297–1998 cm³ and 75–116 hp, while ground clearance is 140 mm.
The third generation, produced from 1991 to 2001, is another Cabrio, with 9 versions. Output ranges from 60 hp in a 1.4 MT to 160 hp in a 2.0 MT. Every version is FWD with a 5-speed Manual gearbox, and ground clearance is 135 mm. Where measured, this generation reaches 100 km/h in 9–16 seconds and has top speeds of 160–207 km/h.
The fourth generation, dated 1998–2005, is a Coupe with 6 versions. The range runs from a 65 hp 1.2 MT to a 190 hp 2.0 MT, and it also contains a 125 hp 2.2 MT Diesel. All use FWD and a 5-speed Manual gearbox. Ground clearance falls to 130 mm, but this generation contains the quickest and fastest measured Astra in the supplied data.
The fifth generation, produced from 2004 to 2010, is a Cabrio with 5 versions. All use a 1598 cm³ inline 4-cylinder engine, but outputs, fuels and transmissions differ: the range includes 105 hp Gasoline versions and a 112 hp LPG 1.6 AT. Ground clearance rises to 165 mm, and measured combined consumption ranges from 6.4 to 7 L/100 km.
The sixth generation, dated 2009–2015, is a Hatchback 3-door with 3 versions. Each has a 1364 cm³, 140 hp, 200 Nm Turbo Gasoline engine, a 6-speed transmission and FWD. Its 165 mm ground clearance matches the fifth generation, while the listed wheel choices are 205/60 R16, 215/50 R17 and 235/55 R17.
Vauxhall Astra engine specs
Repeated names are distinguished below by power and, where necessary, by their performance or weight figures.
| Generation and exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 generation — 1.4 MT (9.8 s) | 140 hp | 200 Nm | 1364 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| 6 generation — 1.4 AT | 140 hp | 200 Nm | 1364 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 6 generation — 1.4 MT (10.4 s) | 140 hp | 200 Nm | 1364 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| 5 generation — 1.6 MT (1515 kg) | 105 hp | 150 Nm | 1598 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 5 generation — 1.6 MT (1315 kg) | 105 hp | 150 Nm | 1598 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 5 generation — 1.6 AT (112 hp) | 112 hp | 147 Nm | 1598 cm³ | LPG | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 5 generation — 1.6 AT (105 hp) | 105 hp | 150 Nm | 1598 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 5 generation — 1.6 MT (1265 kg) | 105 hp | 150 Nm | 1598 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 4 generation — 1.6 MT | 103 hp | 150 Nm | 1598 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 4 generation — 2.0 MT | 190 hp | 250 Nm | 1998 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 4 generation — 2.2 MT | 125 hp | 280 Nm | 2171 cm³ | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 4 generation — 1.4 MT (1150 kg) | 90 hp | 125 Nm | 1364 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 4 generation — 1.4 MT (1060 kg) | 90 hp | 125 Nm | 1364 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 4 generation — 1.2 MT | 65 hp | 110 Nm | 1199 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 3 generation — 1.4 MT (82 hp) | 82 hp | 113 Nm | 1389 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 3 generation — 1.6 MT (75 hp) | 75 hp | 128 Nm | 1598 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 3 generation — 1.8 MT (116 hp) | 116 hp | 168 Nm | 1796 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 3 generation — 1.4 MT (60 hp) | 60 hp | 103 Nm | 1388 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 3 generation — 1.8 MT (90 hp) | 90 hp | 145 Nm | 1796 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 3 generation — 2.0 MT (160 hp) | 160 hp | not measured | 1998 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 3 generation — 1.2 MT | 65 hp | 110 Nm | 1199 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 3 generation — 1.6 MT (100 hp) | 100 hp | 150 Nm | 1598 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 3 generation — 2.0 MT (136 hp) | 136 hp | 185 Nm | 1998 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2 generation — 1.3 MT | 75 hp | 96 Nm | 1297 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2 generation — 1.4 MT | 75 hp | 110 Nm | 1389 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2 generation — 1.4 AT | 75 hp | 110 Nm | 1389 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2 generation — 1.6 MT (75 hp) | 75 hp | 125 Nm | 1598 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2 generation — 1.6 AT (75 hp) | 75 hp | 125 Nm | 1598 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2 generation — 1.6 MT (82 hp) | 82 hp | 130 Nm | 1598 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2 generation — 1.6 AT (82 hp) | 82 hp | 130 Nm | 1598 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2 generation — 1.6 AT (90 hp) | 90 hp | 123 Nm | 1598 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2 generation — 1.6 MT (90 hp) | 90 hp | 123 Nm | 1598 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2 generation — 2.0 MT (115 hp) | 115 hp | 170 Nm | 1998 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2 generation — 2.0 AT | 115 hp | 170 Nm | 1998 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2 generation — 2.0 MT (116 hp) | 116 hp | 172 Nm | 1998 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1 generation — 1.2 MT (52 hp) | 52 hp | 78 Nm | 1196 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1 generation — 1.2 MT (60 hp) | 60 hp | 83 Nm | 1196 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1 generation — 1.3 MT (60 hp) | 60 hp | 92 Nm | 1297 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1 generation — 1.6 MT (90 hp) | 90 hp | 123 Nm | 1598 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1 generation — 1.6 MT (54 hp) | 54 hp | 96 Nm | 1598 cm³ | Diesel | 4, Inline | not measured | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1 generation — 1.2 MT (55 hp) | 55 hp | 78 Nm | 1196 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1 generation — 1.3 MT (75 hp) | 75 hp | 96 Nm | 1297 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1 generation — 1.8 MT | 115 hp | 160 Nm | 1796 cm³ | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
For power relative to displacement, the sixth-generation 1.4 MT and 1.4 AT versions produce about 102.6 hp per litre. The fourth-generation Turbo 2.0 MT produces about 95.1 hp per litre, while its 2.2 MT Diesel produces about 57.6 hp per litre but delivers the catalogue’s highest torque figure, 280 Nm.
Vauxhall Astra performance and fuel economy
The fourth-generation 2.0 MT with 190 hp offers the clearest performance advantage: 7 seconds to 100 km/h and 240 km/h. The 2.2 MT Diesel takes 9.9 seconds and reaches 207 km/h, so the Gasoline Turbo is 2.9 seconds quicker and has a 33 km/h higher top speed; the Diesel counters with 30 Nm more torque.
In the sixth generation, the 1.4 MT at 1373 kg records 9.8 seconds, 201 km/h and 6.2 L/100 km combined. The 1.4 AT records 10 seconds, 200 km/h and the same 6.2 L/100 km combined, but uses 8.9 L/100 km in the city versus 8.1 L/100 km for both Manual versions. The other 1.4 MT, at 1350 kg, takes 10.4 seconds, reaches 200 km/h and records the lowest combined figure, 6.1 L/100 km.
Among fifth-generation cars, the 112 hp 1.6 AT LPG reaches 192 km/h, exceeds the 105 hp cars by 7 hp, and records 6.4 L/100 km combined. The 105 hp 1.6 MT at 1315 kg takes 12.7 seconds and returns 6.7 L/100 km combined; the 105 hp 1.6 MT at 1265 kg is 0.4 seconds quicker and uses 0.1 L/100 km less combined. The 105 hp 1.6 AT takes 14.1 seconds and returns 6.7 L/100 km combined. The heavier 1515 kg 1.6 MT also takes 14.1 seconds, with 7 L/100 km combined.
For the first- and second-generation versions, acceleration, top speed and fuel consumption are not measured throughout the supplied data. Many third- and fourth-generation consumption figures are also not measured; those gaps should not be interpreted as zero consumption.
Vauxhall Astra dimensions, weight and capacity
Exterior length, width, height, wheelbase and cargo capacity are not measured in the supplied data. Kerb weight, gross weight, clearance, tank capacity and wheels are available only for some generations.
The fourth generation has the lowest clearance at 130 mm and kerb weights of 990–1385 kg. Its 190 hp 2.0 MT weighs 1185 kg, equal to about 6.2 kg per hp. The 125 hp 2.2 MT Diesel weighs 1385 kg, or about 11.1 kg per hp, while the 65 hp 1.2 MT weighs 990 kg, or about 15.2 kg per hp. Every listed fourth-generation car has a 52 L tank; wheel sizes are not measured.
Third-generation kerb weights range from 955 to 1240 kg, gross weights from 1475 to 1650 kg, clearance is 135 mm, and the tank holds 52 L. The first-generation kerb weight, gross weight and tank capacity are not measured, while clearance is 150 mm. The corresponding second-generation values are also not measured, apart from 140 mm clearance.
Fifth-generation kerb weights range from 1265 to 1515 kg, while gross weights range from 1720 to 1865 kg. The sixth generation weighs 1350–1373 kg kerb and 1870–1990 kg gross. Both have 165 mm clearance; their tanks hold 52 L and 56 L, respectively. Fifth-generation wheel sizes are not measured, while sixth-generation choices are 205/60 R16, 215/50 R17 and 235/55 R17.
Which Vauxhall Astra version should you choose?
Choose the fourth-generation 2.0 MT with 190 hp when measured acceleration and top speed matter most. Its 7-second result, 240 km/h maximum and roughly 6.2 kg per hp distinguish it from every other measured version.
Choose the fourth-generation 2.2 MT Diesel when torque is the priority. Its 280 Nm is 90 Nm above the fourth-generation 2.0 MT, although its output is 65 hp lower and its 100 km/h time is 2.9 seconds slower.
Choose the sixth-generation 1.4 MT with 140 hp, 1350 kg kerb weight and 10.4-second acceleration for the lowest measured combined consumption, 6.1 L/100 km. Choose the other sixth-generation 1.4 MT, identifiable by 1373 kg and 9.8-second acceleration, for the quickest result in that generation. It costs 0.1 L/100 km in combined consumption relative to the economy-oriented Manual but saves 0.6 seconds to 100 km/h.
Choose the sixth-generation 1.4 AT if Automatic is essential. Against the faster Manual, it gives away 0.2 seconds, 1 km/h, and uses 0.8 L/100 km more in the city, while combined consumption remains 6.2 L/100 km.
For an Automatic Cabrio, the fifth-generation 1.6 AT with 112 hp and LPG has the stronger numerical case: compared with the 105 hp Gasoline 1.6 AT, it adds 7 hp, raises top speed by 6 km/h, cuts the 100 km/h time by 1.1 seconds, and reduces combined consumption by 0.3 L/100 km. No price data or sale listings are supplied, so a price-based recommendation—and any claim about what the extra money buys—cannot be made.