FOR more than a quarter of a century, Vauxhall has played a major part in influencing the evolution of the compact family car.
Since the launch of the very first Astra back in 1980, the then Luton and now Ellesmere Port car maker, has enjoyed a prolonged and dominant presence in this part of the market.
Over the years, the Astra has been popular with buyers in both the private sector and company car drivers and, in the UK alone, more than two million have been sold.
Now the Astra is in its fifth generation and with nine different versions and the same number of engine choices - five petrol and four diesel - available, plus trim choices of Expression, Life, Club, SXi, Active, Design, SRi and Elite, there is, Vauxhall points out, something for everybody.
Kit levels are generous and while standard features at entry level include remote control central locking, front twin and side airbags, electric power steering, electric front windows, radio/CD player and ABS braking, the SXi model adds the likes of air con, electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors, front and rear reading lights, electric windows all round, driver information centre, stereo radio with MP3 compatible CD player and steering wheel mounted controls, aluminium pedals, rain sensitive wipers and front fogs.
And, while security provisions are first rate on board the Astra, the panoramic windscreen, which provides a huge section of glass and adds £850 to the bill, does open up a whole new dimension to passenger enjoyment when travelling the scenic routes.
Vauxhall points out that the three-door Sport Hatch has been styled independently from the five-door hatch so, in addition to being mounted on 16-inch alloys, the three-door has a much more svelte look to it than its five-door stablemate.
While this has translated into a rather more cosy interior, there is still some quite decent head and legroom for four and while loading up is not as agreeable an exercise as in some rivals due to the awkwardly shaped tailgate opening, the boot is still quite accommodatingly roomy.
This Astra stands alongside the best for interior niceties. Inside the build quality is first class and fabrics and plastics have a sturdy and soft-to-the-touch appearance while fixtures and fittings have been thoughtfully laid out.
However, navigating the centre console may prove a finicky business for some with sound system and air con buttons not exactly compatible with the owners of large digits.
Nevertheless with adjustable driver's seat and steering wheel, the Astra three-door Sport Hatch SXi delivers a fine driving position but the limitation of the narrow rear window does spoil, what is otherwise a very good all-round view from the driving seat.
The Astra Sport Hatch is powered by a 1.9-litre diesel engine paired with a smooth-slotting six-speed manual gear change which, while not quite as economical as the 1.7-litre oil-burners, pulls 118bhp to get well under 10 seconds for the 0-60mph dash while its near 50mpg return is certainly nothing to be ashamed of.
On the road, while the firmer suspension set-up of the Sport Hatch isn't perhaps quite so forgiving as its five-door stablemate, road noise is impressively suppressed and wind sound intrusion nicely subdued.
Driving the Astra Sport Hatch is an enjoyable experience courtesy of the rapidly responsive power steering. The car also grips well while feeling agile and nimble through the corners.
Overall, the Astra Sport Hatchatch is a fine touch of the sporting life from Vauxhall with plenty of kit and some great handling to enjoy.
FAST FACTS
Vauxhall Astra 1.9 CDTi SXi 3dr
Price: £16,545
Mechanical: 118bhp, 1,910cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 122mph
0-62mph: 9.7 secs
Combined mpg: 50.4
Insurance group: 8
CO2 emissions: 149g/km
BiK rating: 19%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles, 6yrs anti-rust