Car news / DRIVERS LOG: 2008 Saturn Astra XE Five-Door |
13.03.2008
DRIVERS LOG: 2008 Saturn Astra XE Five-DoorCar News /
EDITOR DUTCH MANDEL: Holy Toledo! You will say that when you open the solid-feel door, when you slide behind the wheel, when you touch the steering wheel and feel there"s something good about how it comes to rest in your hand. The fit and finish of the high-quality plastic, the shift detent, the level of throttle delivery and the power-assisted wheel turn-in-this automobile has it all.
To say I was overly impressed is an understatement. This is a new, better player in the game. General Motors has delivered a B-segment competitor of the highest order. It used to be that the Volkswagen Golf was the exemplar. No more: The Saturn Astra is the one.
What worries me is what others have been asking and will continue to ask: Why has it taken GM this long to recognize talent when it has it in its own (European) backyard?
Thank goodness Saturn is the beneficiary. Strike that. Thank goodness the buying public is the beneficiary.
Four months ago, I bought a Scion for my boys. I wish I had waited, because the Astra is every bit as strong and more sophisticated. Yes, that"s what this is: It puts a level of unexpected and delightful sophistication into an entry-level vehicle.
This is another Saturn home run. With this in the lineup, Saturn becomes the best GM division when it comes to product, top to bottom. There is not a clunker in the lineup.
SENIOR EDITOR KEVIN A. WILSON: The Astra is a giant leap beyond the Ion, with strong exterior and interior design, stout build quality and great driving manners. Saturn is on a roll, though public perception has not caught up with reality. Saturn is up against a reputation earned when it was building junk that was supposed to "prove" that GM could build competitive small cars in America.
This automobile almost disproves that thesis: It"s the best small automobile wearing a Detroit badge, but it comes from Europe. As one who remembers GM"s long-ago efforts to import Opels, and more generally the history of Detroit "American-izing" its captive imports, I applaud Saturn"s decision to bring a good automobile over and let it be.
The interior materials and seating position are terrific, though the center-stack layout takes getting used to. The shifter is good, but a sixth gear would be nice for the highway, since the engine sound is a little coarse. It may not be the engine itself so much as a low priority on sound insulation--there"s some bump-thump noise from the suspension, too.
Knowing that this is electric-assist steering, I was surprised by the weighty feel and precision with just enough feedback. The springs are firm, but there"s enough compliance with sharp turn-in response, and roll is well controlled, even in hard cornering.
This automobile handles much like a VW Rabbit and looks as good as the Mazda 3, though I wouldn"t say it is the hatchback"s new benchmark. For one thing, there"s only one engine, and while 138 hp is enough to make it entertaining (at least with the manual), it"s not the strongest offering in the category. Maybe when we get a Red Line version?
There are other drivetrains and body styles in European Astras. We can hope U.S. sales are good enough (or the dollar strengthens enough) to warrant bringing more versions across the water. If sales were really good, maybe GM would consider building it here.
The Astra is the automobile that domestic dealers have lacked for too long: a small automobile that you don"t merely settle for out of necessity but would be proud to call your own.
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