The 2015 Vauxhall Astra is rather significant, because 2015 was the year that the seventh-generation version - known in some circles as the Astra K - arrived on the market. It didn’t look drastically different to the Astra J it replaced, but it was - unusually - a shade smaller than its predecessor, and significantly lighter, which helped in a variety of areas, including efficiency and handling dynamics. When new, the compact family hatchback class in which it competed was a fiercely fought one, and although it was an excellent all-rounder, many of its rivals were marginally better and/or more desirable. However, that also meant the Astra shed its value far more quickly, making it much cheaper on the used car market, and it’s here where the car looks very appealing indeed.

Strengths:

Available in practical hatchback and estate forms
Wide choice of engines and trim levels
Really affordable on the used market

Weaknesses:

Not the comfiest nor the sharpest car to drive
Many rivals feel more upmarket
There are more practical and versatile alternatives

Is the 2015 Vauxhall Astra better than the 2015 Ford Focus?

If you’re talking about dynamic ability, then no: that was the area in which the Focus really shone, while the Astra was merely adequate on the road. In most other areas, though, the Astra was very competitive with the Focus, and even outgunned it in some. It was slightly more solidly built, for instance, and it came with a marginally more generous amount of standard equipment.