What is it?

The Astra is an institution, a car that has mobilised millions in the UK and beyond. It's Vauxhall's answer to the Ford Focus and Volkswagen's Golf, the British-built Astra slotting right between the two in the sales charts here. This is the all-new model, a classier looking, more refined and more upmarket feeling machine aimed at helping the Astra to take the sales top spot. Currently only a five-door model, three-door and an estate versions will follow in 2010, this car being available in Vauxhall dealers in time for Christmas.

Is it any good?

Vauxhall has worked hard on producing a car that's classier inside and out, better to drive, more generously equipped and more refined than the model it replaces. In those respect it's very good. The Astra's ride in particular is exceptionally well judged, Vauxhall specifically tuning the Astra to suit British drivers' preferences - and cope with our terribly surfaced roads. The steering isn't as sharp or as feelsome as a Ford Focus's, but grip is good and the body roll is kept nicely in check. Pick Vauxhall's optional Flexride and you can choose between comfort and sporting settings, but the standard cars' settings are more than competent enough to negate the need to tick the £700 option box on your order form.

Trim levels now echo the Insignia's, each coming generously appointed with even the entry-level Astra fitted with electronic stability control, air conditioning and an MP3-enabled CD player as standard. The engine range is extensive too, and all units offer better economy and emissions over the outgoing car. We drove two engines: the 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol unit with 138bhp and a 1.7-litre turbodiesel with 123bhp. The petrol version needed working hard to produce its pace, while the easier, more forceful pull from the diesel makes it the more appealing drive. And that's before you factor its 60mpg plus capability compared to the petrol's 47.9mpg.

Inside, Vauxhall has once again looked to the Insignia for inspiration. It's a vast improvement over the old car, the effect a classier look, though lots of buttons do make the centre console a bit fussy and Vauxhall has cheekily mimicked the soft-touch plastics that feature in the front of the cabin with harder, cheaper feeling materials that look the same but don't have the same quality feel.

Should I call the bank manager?

You and countless thousands will and you'd be well advised to do so. The Vauxhall Astra is an impressive contender in its class and certainly deserves considering against its obvious competition. It looks great, is very refined and offers good levels of specification. Many will be bought with business money, meaning you might not have to visit the bank manager after all. With all the cuts, the bank manager himself might have traded down from a premium machine into an Astra - they won't be disappointed if that's the case.

Summary

Vauxhall's Astra brings Insignia levels of class and style to the smaller hatchback market and that's sure to appeal hugely to existing Vauxhall customers. It'll attract a good few more into the company's showrooms too, though whether it'll have Golf and Focus drivers trading in their keys remains to be seen.

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