DuelsLeaderboardGarageBlogCarsGlossaryBrowse

Opel Astra

Opel

Opel Astra: Opel Astra: The Compact Core of the Lineup
Photo: Alexander Migl / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Opel Astra: The Compact Core of the Lineup

The Opel Astra is Opel's core compact hatchback and estate, sold as the Vauxhall Astra in the UK.

The Astra debuted in 1991 as the successor to the long-running Kadett, immediately becoming Opel's best-selling model and its answer to the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus. Over six generations it has been offered as a hatchback, estate, and at times a saloon, prized for spacious interiors and competent, unremarkable-in-a-good-way driving dynamics.

In the UK the same car wears Vauxhall badging and the Astra name unchanged, a rare case where both sister brands share the nameplate rather than using different names. The Astra has also spawned sportier variants over the years, including OPC and GSi performance versions aimed at hot-hatch buyers.

The current generation, launched under Stellantis ownership, introduced a bolder Opel Vizor front-end design and added a plug-in hybrid powertrain alongside conventional petrol and diesel options, positioning the Astra to compete with increasingly electrified rivals.

Frequently asked questions about Opel Astra

What did the Astra replace?
The Astra replaced the Opel Kadett in 1991, taking over as Opel's compact car nameplate and carrying that role through six generations since.
Is the Astra sold as a Vauxhall too?
Yes. The UK market gets the same car badged as the Vauxhall Astra, one of the few Opel nameplates that keeps its name unchanged across both brands.
Does the Astra come as a plug-in hybrid?
Yes. The current generation Astra offers a plug-in hybrid powertrain alongside conventional petrol and diesel engines.
What body styles does the Astra offer?
The Astra is offered primarily as a five-door hatchback and as a Sports Tourer estate, with saloon variants offered in some earlier generations and markets.
What competes with the Opel Astra?
The Astra's main rivals are the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus, and Peugeot 308, all mainstream European compact hatchbacks.

Other Opel models

CorsaGrandlandInsigniaKadettMantaMokkaVectra
More Opel models