Opel Astra (K) - looks good, does well
It's not always a VW Golf when looking for a compact used car. The Astra is Opel's compact model. The fifth generation not only looks good but also performs well in the TÜV tests.
The fifth generation of the Opel Astra (K) was the last one developed under General Motors as Opel's owner. It was launched at the end of 2015 and was replaced by the sixth generation (L) at the beginning of 2022.
Quality
The Opel Astra performs well in TÜV main inspections (HU). The compact car passes the test criteria for suspension, lighting, and brakes with barely any issues. However, oil loss can be a problem even from the first HU, so used car buyers should pay close attention to this.
Body and Interior
Compared to its predecessor, the K generation has shed around 200 kilograms and 5 centimeters in length. At 4.37 meters, the Astra is still spacious, both front and rear. The boot volume is 370 liters, which increases to up to 1210 liters when the rear seats are folded down. For more loading space, the 4.70-meter-long estate (Sports Tourer) is an option, offering between 540 and 1630 liters. The interior is well-organized, and the controls are user-friendly.
In 2019, the Opel received a facelift, with slight modifications to the radiator grille and an upgraded interior with a new infotainment system featuring a larger screen.
Engines and Drivetrain
First-time buyers had a wide range of engines to choose from initially. The 1.4-liter four-cylinder was available in 66 kW/90 PS, 92 kW/125 PS, and 110 kW/150 PS variants, as well as a 81 kW/110 PS CNG version. The top engine was a 1.6-liter with 147 kW/200 PS, while a 1.0-liter three-cylinder with 77 kW/105 PS served as the entry-level engine. Fuel consumption for the petrol engines ranges from 4.3 to 6.6 liters.
The diesel offerings included a 1.6-liter with 70 kW/95 PS, 81 kW/110 PS, 100 kW/136 PS, and 118 kW/160 PS (since 2018: 150 PS). The average fuel consumption is between 3.6 and 5.2 liters.
The facelift in summer 2019 saw Opel restructure the engine range with three-cylinder engines. A 1.2-liter petrol engine with 110 PS, 96 kW/130 PS, and 107 kW/145 PS, as well as a 1.5-liter diesel with 105 and 90 kW/122 PS, were available.
Equipment and Safety
While the basic trims (Selection and Astra) were mainly bought by fleet customers or very comfort-conscious first-time buyers, the higher levels ("Ultimate" and "Elegance") offered more comfort. Opel offers advantage packages for certain trim versions, including LED matrix lights, LED rear lights, navigation, and DAB radio. For frequent drivers, the ergonomic AGR seats are interesting. Many driver assistance systems were standard or available at an additional cost.
Conclusion
The Opel Astra K is a good choice as a used car, thanks to its good TÜV results, wide range of engines and equipment, and attractive design with good space. Currently, around 6500 used Astra K models are listed for sale on mobile.de, starting at around 4500 euros for high-mileage vehicles.
While testing other compact used cars, you might come across various models, including other vehicles like the Opel Astra K. Maintenance of the Astra could require careful attention, especially in terms of potential oil loss issues during initial TÜV inspections.
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