The Pick: Holden Astra CDTi
From 1998 to 2004, the Holden TS Astra was king of the small-medium hatchback brigade. But when the majority of its competition moved to 2.0-litre engines, Astra stayed with its 1.8-litre.
The new AH Astra was accomplished, likeable… but not class-leading. Comparative performance was a real sore point within the Wheels office. So with strong diesel torque and a six-speed automatic transmission (rather than the petrol’s four-speed), the Holden Astra CDTi appealed.
After three years on sale, and a recent facelift only altering its grille and bumpers, the Astra still cuts a sharp and modern silhouette.
Pumping out 110kW/320Nm, the 1.9-litre CDTi manual’s figures are impressive. Unfortunately, the automatic loses 23kW and 40Nm, bringing its figures to 88kW/280Nm. Emission regs and torque converter issues are the given reasons, yet other manufacturers (VW, Peugeot) manage the auto shifter without any such loss.
Typically grumbly at low revs, small vibrations hum across the steering wheel and momentarily spoil the appreciable refinement found in Astra’s petrol variants. Still, at highway speeds or when revved, the Astra diesel is a quiet companion.
I fully expected the six-speed auto to transform the Astra’s drivability, but it was a slight disappointment; it shifts smoothly enough, but refuses to engage sixth gear until over 100km/h and, in ‘Sport’ mode, will hold every gear ‘til redline, regardless of speed.
Thankfully, the Astra still shines brightly in the bends. It may not have the beautifully weighted steering of a Ford Focus, but thanks to grippy 16-inch Bridgestone Turanza rubber, it retains its balanced composure.
In spite of its torsion beam rear suspension - which offers better second-row leg room but can trade off marginally in handling - the Astra still offers a decent dynamic drive.
But the diesel still sits at odds with the rest of the Astra range. The CDTi auto is $31,490, some $4500 more than the CDX 1.8 petrol auto with which it shares identical alloy wheels and standard fog lamps. While the CDTi gains ESP, it also features a single-disc CD player and regular air conditioning where the CDX boasts an in-dash six-disc player, semi-auto air and comprehensive trip computer. The CDTi auto posts an acceptable $1500 premium over the CDTi manual, but let’s not forget the loss in power and torque, and it is without the former's stiffer sports suspension.
So where does this all leave the Astra CDTi auto? Back to square one, really; accomplished, likeable… but not class-leading.
The Others:
Mercedes-Benz S350L; Renault Megane diesel; Skoda Octavia 2.0TDI Elegance; Subaru Tribeca 3.6R Premium.