Holden Astra VXR 2016 Review

Holden Astra VXR
Road Test

Sometimes good cars can get tainted by bad politics. The Holden/Opel/Holden Astra VXR may be one of those cars but it would be foolish to rule this hot hatch out of contention simply because of its recent past. This VXR is a loveable rogue that offers just as much beauty as it does brawn.

In the battle of the hot hatches, a European birthplace is all but essential and while the Astra VXR may wear a Holden badge, team Holden is pushing its Euro credentials as it transitions to a life beyond Australian-made vehicles.

Of course, the Astra is actually one of Holden’s longest serving nameplates, having first joined the brand’s line-up as a Pulsar-based yet locally-assembled vehicle in 1984.

From 1989 the Astra took a break from sales before returning in 1995 as a born-again model, this time imported from Opel. The Astra ceased sales in 2009 when the cost of importing the European-made vehicle priced the popular vehicle out of the Australian small car segment.

Astra then enjoyed the briefest of resurgences in 2012 when it was on sale as an Opel car, before that brand was inauspiciously canned after less than a year in Australia.

Now follows the third re-introduction of the Astra to Australia and while it’s the same Opel product, this time it is once again wearing a Holden badge.

This on-again-off-again history will no doubt have an impact on purchase consideration for the Astra sports models, which is a shame as the line-up is well worth a look against competitors from Ford, Renault and Volkswagen, regardless of which badge it wears.

The Holden Astra VXR may be an older generation than the VW Golf GTI or the Ford Focus ST. but it still offers compelling performance that has the driver grinning from ear-to-ear, and that’s what owning a hot-hatch is all about.

The Astra VXR features a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine which generates 206kW and 400Nm and is mated exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission. It’s a fantastic combination which delivers an engaging driving experience.

The manual shift is satisfying, and while the gear knob is on the large side, it does fit nicely in the palm of the left hand, where it will spend a significant amount of time while navigating challenging roads.

Whether in standard drive mode, the more exhilarating Sport mode or feisty VXR mode, acceleration is swift and accompanied by an exhaust note that encourages spirited driving. Flick the button to Sport mode and the chassis stiffens and the electro-hydraulic steering becomes more direct.

Opt for the VXR setting and the dial surrounds change from sports white to red, the steering sharpens further and the throttle mapping changes to respond more urgently to acceleration input.

While the car is manageable at all times, newcomers to the performance front-wheel-drive genre may need to take a little time to get to grips with the VXR’s staggering torque steer, which is evident as the Astra translates all that power to the road.

Engineers have created a unique HiPerStrut front suspension set-up which is designed to manage torque steer, but behind the wheel of the VXR it’s easy to believe that the car could break free from its bindings at any moment to reveal itself to be a real monster.

It’s that characteristic that makes the Astra VXR so appealing. It makes no apologies for its ballsy attitude with plenty of power that’s refined yet not entirely restrained.

One thing that is entirely unrestrained is the VXR’s fuel consumption, which averaged 11L/100km over 650km of mixed driving. By way of disclosure, much of this driving was completed on winding country roads that encourage the Astra to stretch its legs, yet a couple of decent long runs on freeways failed to bring that average down over the course of the week.

As the Astra only has a small 54-litre fuel tank, anyone averaging more than 500km per week will become incredibly familiar with their local servo attendant.

Fuel bills aside, at a retail price of $39,990, the Astra VXR still represents good value for money and offers great performance.

In fact, at that price, we’d recommend giving it a run against our Australia’s Best Driver’s Car hot hatches, the MINI John Cooper Works, Renault Clio RS220 Trophy and Peugeot 308 GTi, each of which retails for around $10,000 more than the VXR.

But even at that price you do expect a few extras which are missing on the Astra VXR, yet are available on more affordable models, even in Holden’s own line-up. While there are parking sensors at the rear, there is no reversing camera, which you really miss in a car with such tight three-door styling.

There are also no front parking sensors which makes nose-in parking a bit hit and miss, and because it’s an older generation car, there’s no optional driver aids such as adaptive cruise control or autonomous emergency braking, which are available on the VW Golf GTI.

The technology story is somewhat improved with the inclusion of the Holden MyLink infotainment system, with app functionality including Pandora, but unlike Holden’s other vehicles, the operation of the system is not via a touch-screen, but rather a hard to use joystick and button combination which is located in the cluttered centre stack.

And cluttered is an understatement. The Astra’s centre stack features 42 buttons and four dials to control the audio system, heating and ventilation, front seat heaters and dynamic controls. It presents you with an overwhelming choice that is pretty distracting for the driver.

Voice recognition can be used to control functions including music choices and navigation options, but I found the system struggles to recognise relatively straightforward commands, resulting in incredible frustration when the car asks “Do you mean….” Invariably that was not what I meant. Ever.

But this car is such a joy to drive that all of its niggles are quickly muted by the sound explosion that is the Astra’s satisfying exhaust note. Get behind the wheel and it doesn’t matter what badge it wears, where it comes from or the fact that it’s a couple of years behind its competition.

All that matters is how much fun you’re going to have getting from A to B and working out the longest and best route between the two. Just make sure there’s a servo on the way.

2015 Holden Astra VXR pricing and specifications:
Price: $39,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre Four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 206kW/400Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 8.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 193g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP

Also consider:
>> Ford Focus ST (from $38,990 plus ORCs)
>> Volkswagen Golf GTI (from $40,990 plus ORCs)
>> Renault Megane Sport (from $44,000 plus ORCs)