Skip advert
Advertisement
Car trim reviews

Vauxhall Astra Excite

The Vauxhall Astra Excite comes with loads of standard equipment, and if you go for one of the diesel engines you'll benefit from rock-bottom running costs, too.

Owners Rating
Be the first to review

Vauxhall’s Astra competes in the fiercely competitive hatchback class against rivals like the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf. The Vauxhall Astra Excite comes with plenty of standard equipment, like 17-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, Bluetooth hands-free calling, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and LED daytime running lights.

There’s the choice of two petrols and two diesel engines when you pick the Excite trim. The basic petrol engine is the 99bhp 1.4-litre that averages 51.4mpg, while a more powerful 113bhp 1.6-litre (44.8mpg) is also available.

Advertisement - Article continues below

In terms of diesel engines, you can choose between a newer 109bhp 1.6-litre engine that averages 76.3mpg or an ageing 1.7-litre with the same power output but averages a lower, but still impressive, 62.8mpg.

Good points

The Vauxhall Astra comes closer than ever before to matching the Volkswagen Golf for the fit and finish of its interior - an incredible effort considering old Astra models of the past.The hatchback is also among the best in class in terms of comfort, though the lack of headroom in the rear might make it a squeeze for people over six-foot. Both diesel engines also offer great fuel efficiency.

Bad points

Despite the comfortable suspension, the Vauxhall Astra Excite isn't as much fun to drive as a VW Golf or Ford Focus.Both the petrol engines available with the Excite trim are worth avoiding, as while they may be efficient, they feel underpowered and sluggish on motorways. The turbocharged petrol engines available on the more expensive trims are much better.

What you get

  • Alloy wheels
  • Folding rear seats
  • Passenger & Driver airbag
  • Front side airbags
  • Curtain airbags
  • Manual air conditioning
  • Leather steering wheel
  • Height adjustable driver's seat
  • Front electric windows
  • Single CD player
  • AUX stereo input
  • Cruise control
  • Bluetooth

Recommended optional extras

  • Parking sensors
  • Digital radio
  • Space saver spare wheel

Our choice

Buy a new Vauxhall Astra Excite with the 1.6-litre diesel that averages 76.3mpg, and you have a car with almost unbeatable real-world running costs.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Hot car deal: luxury-spec Vauxhall Astra hatchback for £216 a month
Vauxhall astra front quarter
Deals
26 Mar 2024

Hot car deal: luxury-spec Vauxhall Astra hatchback for £216 a month

Vauxhall Astra gets new mild-hybrid tech for improved fuel efficiency
Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer front quarter
News
21 Feb 2024

Vauxhall Astra gets new mild-hybrid tech for improved fuel efficiency

Best road tax-free cars 2024
The best road tax-free cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Best road tax-free cars 2024

Vauxhall Astra review - striking hatchback with updated tech
vauxhall astra uk
In-depth reviews
23 Oct 2023

Vauxhall Astra review - striking hatchback with updated tech

Have You Considered

Citroen C4 review – a quirky, comfortable family hatchback
Citroen C4 hatchback
In-depth reviews
7 Feb 2024

Citroen C4 review – a quirky, comfortable family hatchback

Vauxhall Astra review - striking hatchback with updated tech
vauxhall astra uk
In-depth reviews
23 Oct 2023

Vauxhall Astra review - striking hatchback with updated tech

Most Popular

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
28 Mar 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Skoda Karoq review – it ticks all the family SUV boxes
Skoda Karoq SportLine
In-depth reviews
26 Mar 2024

Skoda Karoq review – it ticks all the family SUV boxes

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide
Public EV charge point
Tips and advice
11 Jan 2023

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
best electric cars
Best cars
28 Mar 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024