Opel Astra Sedan 1.8 Review: Boot camp

The Astra sedan commands a price premium over its hatchback cousin and will set you back at just a tad under $85k. True, this price point is significantly more than the popular Japanese contenders like the Honda Civic 1.8 and Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8, but the Astra is a well-equipped package. Standard on the equipment list include ESP, cruise control, front and side airbags, factory MP3 stereo, trip computer, electronic climate control, locally fitted leather, electrically foldable wing mirrors and 16-inch alloys.

But life gets even tougher for the Astra when compared to its European competitors though.

There's the Ford Focus saloon and Renault Megane Sedan which are cheaper, but then again, they’re both not as well-equipped. Then there’s also the Volkswagen Jetta – the 1.6 comes in at just over $78k, but the engine is just too ancient and anemic.

Wait a second...the Jetta has another trump card – the 1.4 TSI. The 1.4-litre twincharged engine and DSG transmission combo is a peach, and the Jetta also enjoys Volkswagen’s renowned build quality. However, there’s a big drawback though – the TSI will set you back some $9k more than the Astra.

So, if you're the sort who's not into the Japanese crowd anymore and want a well-equipped mid-sized German saloon, the Astra is a viable choice. But if your budget permits, then the Jetta TSI ought to be on your radar screen as well.

Credits: Story by Raymond Lai, pictures by Azfar Hashim