2016 Holden Astra RS-V review

Holden has had a topsy-turvy turn of small cars over the years.

For decades, the Commodore has done the heavy lifting for the iconic Aussie brand while city cars, such as the Barina, Astra and more recently the Cruze, have played a secondary role. At times they've been good, but mostly they've been forgettable.

But tastes have changed. The Commodore's reign from the top is over, small cars are the most popular segment in new vehicle sales while SUVs and utes are on a charge.

Holden has, fortuitously, foreseen all these changes and is in the midst of a major product overhaul that will see 24 new or updated models in showrooms between 2015 and 2020. A significant pillar in that plan is the latest generation Astra, which takes over from Cruze as the brand's small car stalwart. So, can it withhold the pressure?

WHAT DO YOU GET?

The Astra is fresh out of the development pipeline from Holden's European partner, Opel, and arrives in local showrooms initially as a hatchback only. A sedan is likely to be added in the middle of 2017 while sportier three-door versions of the previous Astra - the GTC and VXR hot hatches - will continue to be sold until they are replaced within 18 months or so.

The hatch is available in three model grades with a starting price of $21,990 (plus on-road costs) for the entry-level Astra R powered by a 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine with a six-speed manual transmission.

The mid-spec Astra RS, which costs $26,490 (plus on-roads) and the range-topping $30,990 RS-V we're testing here have a more powerful 1.6-litre engine and come with more standard equipment, including the latest safety functions which can be optioned into the R.

A six-speed automatic costs an additional $2200 across the range, although it is currently only available on the R with availability in the RS and RS-V models due to commence in March 2017.

As for what you get, the RS-V rides on 18-inch alloy wheels, has push-button start with keyless entry, heated front seats and steering wheel, fake leather trim, dual-zone climate control and the full suite of Holden's Mylink functionality within the 8.0-inch colour touch screen, including digital radio, smartphone mirroring and sat nav with live traffic updates.

From a safety perspective, it has six airbags and a suite of active driver aids - dubbed Holden Eye - that includes automated emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keeping assistance and blind spot alert.

A $1990 Touring Pack adds an electric sunroof and adaptive cruise control or the Innovations Pack, which costs an extra $2000, has those items plus full LED headlights. Both packs are exclusively available as options on the RS-V only.

WHAT'S INSIDE?

There is a sense of quality from inside the cabin of the Astra, which is something that was never said about the Cruze it replaces.

While the overall design is far from ground breaking, the dashboard has a pleasant, flowing appearance with a mixture of high-gloss black plastic and brushed aluminium giving it a semi-premium ambience. It's also logically laid out with the touch screen at the top of the centre section, ventilation controls in the middle and an odd, shallow binnacle at the base that can hold a smartphone up with its screen facing out (although larger phones like the iPhone Plus models don't fit).

While that may be convenient for some users, the fact the touch screen already has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto makes it redundant and the space could have been better used for more small item storage, which the Astra is rather short on compared to other small car rivals.

Elsewhere, the starter button is hidden from view behind the left-hand side of the steering wheel and may cause new, or occasional, drivers to fumble around looking for how to start it, and the myriad of buttons on the steering wheel look like a video game controller and take some time familiarising with.

Otherwise, the basics ergonomics are all spot-on; the seats are flat but comfortable, there's good adjustment in the driving position, decent vision and adequate room in the back seat for two adults to travel in relative comfort while the 360L boot is large enough to cater for average family duties.

All in all, the Astra's cabin is a comfortable, classy place to be even if it doesn't set any new benchmarks for the class.

UNDER THE BONNET

The Astra RS-V we're testing is exclusively offered with a 1.6-litre turbo four cylinder that generates a healthy 147kW of power and 280Nm of torque from just 1650rpm, outputs that position it above the mainstream and against the warmed-up hatchbacks in the small car class.

Needless to say, it's an energetic engine that feels punchy off the line - particularly with its Sport mode activated that sharpens the throttle response - and it has a good spread of pulling power across the rev range that makes it enjoyable to drive enthusiastically.

But that low- and mid-range urgency also makes the Astra flexible enough to effortlessly meander through everyday traffic without ever feeling restrained.

With a claimed average fuel consumption of 6.3L/100km the Astra is on par with most of its small car rivals.

ON THE ROAD

Holden's local engineering team has been weaving its magic in sorting out and tuning the latest imported vehicles - from the Spark city car to the Trailblazer seven-seat SUV -  in order for them to suit Australian tastes and conditions.

The Astra hatch, on the other hand, was good enough to start with that they left it alone, which is evident in the European flavour of its ride and handling.

The steering is well weighted and has a more natural feel across its ratio than some rivals, giving it good feel through the corners and stability at highway speeds.

Similarly, the suspension leans gently towards the sportier side of the ledger with good body control and plenty of grip from the 18-inch tyres but it also feels well-sorted in the way it absorbs road imperfections so that it is relaxed in everyday conditions.

Building on that, the Astra is one of the quietest vehicles in its class at highway speeds, offering excellent insulation from road and wind noise.

VERDICT

The all-new Astra is a big deal for Holden at a critical time in its history. While it doesn't break new ground for the segment, it is right up there as a classy, well-equipped and comfortable alternative to the top-sellers. In RS-V configuration, it offers enough sportiness to be fun while also displaying enough of a semi-premium ambience to legitimise its European pedigree. It is a solid foundation for Holden's small car future.

2016 Holden Astra RS-V price and specifications

Price: from $33,190 (plus on-road costs)

Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol

Power: 147kW at 5500rpm

Torque: 280Nm at 1650rpm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic, FWD

Fuel use: 6.3L/100km