Astral-plain

It’s plain to see that the new Opel Astra is not only roomier and more user-friendly, but much nicer to drive as well.

- Jeremy Chua

OPEL’S Astra has to be one of the most underrated hatchbacks in the Golf segment. Despite being handsomely styled and possessing tidy handling manners, it hardly appears on buyers’ radars.

This was especially true for the last-gen Astra. Its only weak points are a befuddling cockpit, which has too many buttons, and a relatively compact interior, despite it being larger than the Mk 6 Volkswagen Golf.

The all-new Astra, however, is no longer plagued by these issues.

It is even more attractive than its predecessor, with evolved “Blade” styling that features crispier lines and the illusion of a floating roof, thanks to the blacked-out C-pillars. Its rear end is rather fetching, too.

Like the older model, the current one is still larger than its main rival, the Mk 7 Volkswagen Golf. But this time, Opel has ensured that interior room is actually decent.

The wider backseat and lower floor protrusion means three average-sized adults can sit abreast without rubbing shoulders as often as before.