At entry-level, the hatch features the same 110kW/240Nm 1.4-litre engine as its booted counterpart. But step up to the mid-tier RS or flagship RS-V hatch and there's a 147kW/280Nm 1.6-litre turbo under the bonnet.
It was the RS-V, which is only available as a six-speed automatic, that came Drivesouth's way for appraisal. Performance (of which more later) is not the RS-V's only appeal; it's also the safety star of the Astra range, being equipped with the latest in autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, forward distance indicator, forward collision alert and blind-spot warning systems.
Part of Holden's customisation for this part of the world has been tweaking the nose of the new Astra sedan to give it visual co-ordination with the hatch.
Truth is though, that from the bonnet back, the four and five-door Astra variants do not share a single panel in common. The RS-V is (as it should be) the sportiest looking member of the hatch family.
It sits on 18-inch 10-spoke alloys and 225/40 R18 Bridgestone tyres, and has a small rear wing, twin exhausts and chrome garnishing. Quite different in interior look and feel to the sedan, the cabin cuts a classy, sport-oriented dash, with leather trim and a preponderance of dark, glossy surfaces.
Imitation composite highlighting, snug heated sports seats, and a heated sports steering wheel feature up front. The RS-V also picks up the premium 8-inch touchscreen interface for Holden's MyLink infotainment system (and with it, standard satellite navigation), dual-zone climate control, and an electronic park brake.
The hatch is bested by the sedan for rear room and boot space, but it is still reasonably accommodating. I'm a fan of the 1.4-litre engine used by the sedan and lesser hatchback variants, but with an extra 37kW and 40Nm, the 1.6-litre RS-V has a performance edge that is blunted only a little by the absence of paddle-shift controls for its slick six-speed automatic transmission.
One of the engine's key strengths is the availability of peak torque at just 1650rpm. This makes for especially responsive in-gear acceleration, and compensates for a relative lack of free- revving character at the upper end of the rev range. Unsurprisingly, selecting sport mode is vital to experiencing the RS-V's performance best.
The test car proved well-matched to the most technically demanding portions of the road test route, delivering a rewarding and at times entertaining experience without sacrificing too much in ride comfort and all-round refinement.
- David Thomson
| HOLDEN ASTRA RS-V AUTO |
| Overall: ★★★★ |
| Design and styling: ★★★+ |
| Interior: ★★★★ |
| Performance: ★★★★ |
| Ride/handling: ★★★★ |
| Safety: ★★★★★ |
| Environmental: ★★★★ |
| For: Strong engine, decent ride/handling balance, nice interior |
| Against: No paddle shift, manually-adjusting front seats |
| Verdict: A very good all-rounder, thoughtfully tweaked for local conditions |
| Price: $38,490 |
| Engine: 1598cc four-cylinder turbo petrol, maximum power 147kW@5500rpm, maximum torque, 280Nm@1650rpm |
| Transmission: Six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive |
| Brakes and stability systems: Front and rear disc brakes, ABS, EBD, TCS |
| Safety rating: Five-star European NCAP |
| Wheels and tyres: Alloy wheels, 225/40 R18 tyres |
| Fuel and economy: 6.3 litres per 100km, fuel-tank capacity 48 litres |
| Emissions: CO2 146 g/km on combined cycle |
| Dimensions: Length 4386mm, width 1809mm, height 1485mm |
| RATING (4/5) |