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With a 1658cc, 16-valve CDTi engine developing 110PS plus 192ft/lbs (260Nm) of torque at a lowly 2,000rpm, this ecoFLEX’s general on-the-road performance is adequate. Acceleration away from the lights isn’t startling – 0-62mph is quoted at 12.0secs – but being a torquey diesel this Astra’s a willing overtaker without having to be in a low gear at high revs. Its 6th gear ratio is taller than on other Astras for improved economy, but its 117mph top speed also allows for relaxed cruising at more normal speeds. Although primarily employed for fuel efficiency reasons, this model’s performance is also enhanced by improved aerodynamics with lowered suspension, modified front air intakes and low rolling-resistance tyres.

It’s generally accepted among the cognoscenti that the Ford Focus is the best handling drivers’ car in its class, Astra included. And it’s true, the Astra doesn’t quite have the response of the Focus’ steering, or quite the same deftness or body control through tight bends or high speed sweepers. However, for most of us most of the time those differences are subtle at most, and generally speaking the Astra’s compliant suspension gives a ride quality that’s at least as comfortable as the Ford’s. Driven in isolation the Astra is pretty much vice-free in this department.

On the basis of my short test drive and subsequent poke around, the Astra is hard to fault. Everything seems to fit, everything’s securely screwed together, the exterior paintwork is lustrous, while the interior’s plastics, upholstery and ‘piano black’ trim all look good and feel right. The only fly in the ointment is Vauxhall’s performance in the 2009 JD Power UK Vehicle Ownership Study where the maker finished a lowly 26th out of 29 manufacturers with a score of 760 against an industry average of 781. I suspect this result may have more to do with the perceived shortcomings of other models and dealerships than the Astra itself.

Although ESP (Electronic Stability Program) and tyre pressure monitoring are optional extras, the ecoFLEX Design comes with ABS, EBD, remote central deadlocking, an alarm and an immobiliser. There’s also Auto Lock, which automatically re-locks the vehicle five minutes after the doors are unlocked without being opened, and Speedlock, which automatically locks the doors when your speed exceeds 7mph (the boot is aut-locked at speeds above 4mph). Add to that front seatbelt pretensioners, ISOFIX child seat mountings plus driver, passenger, front side and full-size curtain airbags and it’s no surprise that the Astra scores well in the Euro NCAP tests with 5 stars for occupant protection.

No complaints here either. The part-leather seats are well-shaped and comfortable, there’s ample head and legroom for all five occupants and the interior is airy and spacious. Being a conventional 5-door hatchback the rear seats split and fold to allow a max of 1,265-litres load capacity, up from a very reasonable 350-litres with seats upright and parcel shelf in place. Aircon comes as standard, as do electric windows all round, but more exotic features like climate control, satnav, cruise control, rear parking sensor or a Bluetooth phone system are all optional.

The basic OTR price is £19,145 which, in these troubled times is more than many of us are willing to pay, or are able to afford, for a common-or-garden 1.7-litre diesel hatchback. On the plus side it sits in the affordable 6E/14E insurance groupings and returns a whopping 62.8mpg combined (50.4mpg urban, 72.4mpg extra-urban) and produces just 119g/km of CO2 which means it falls in to the lowest BIK tax band for company car drivers, while private buyers only pay £35 annual road tax thanks to its band B credentials. Find a low-mileage used example for a knock-down price and you won’t go far wrong.

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