Opel Astra

Opel Astra at a glance

The Astra is a front-wheel-drive compact car in the European C-segment. The first Astra, the F, took over from the Kadett E in 1991. In Britain the name is older: Vauxhall used "Astra" for the Kadett D and E from March 1980, so the first two British Astras are really Kadetts.

The range has included hatchbacks, saloons, estates (Caravan, renamed Sports Tourer with the J), a three-door GTC, a Coupé, cabriolets and the TwinTop with a folding steel roof. European cars have mainly been built in Germany, Poland and the UK. The Kadett years are covered in the history of Opel, the current range under all Opel models.

Opel Astra generations

Opel has built six Astra generations, F to L. Each will get its own page later; this overview gives dates, bodies and power ranges.

Astra F (1991–1998)

The hatchback arrived in September 1991, the Caravan a month later and the saloon in May 1992. A cabriolet built by Bertone joined in 1993, and a facelift followed in August 1994. Petrol engines ran from a 1.4 with 44 kW (60 PS) to the GSi's 2.0 16V; the 1.7 diesels gave 42 kW (57 PS) or 60 kW (82 PS). German production ended in spring 1998, while the Poland-built Astra Classic was sold until about 2002.

Astra G (1998–2004)

The G arrived in spring 1998 as a hatchback, saloon and Caravan. Bertone in Italy built the Coupé (2000–2004) and the Cabriolet (2001–2005). German sources describe the G as the first Opel with a fully galvanised body, backed by a 12-year anti-perforation warranty. Engines ranged from a 1.2 16V with 48 kW (65 PS) to a 2.0 Turbo. A Classic II stayed in production in Poland until 2009.

Astra H (2004–2010)

Production of the H began in March 2004. The Caravan followed in August 2004, the GTC in March 2005, the TwinTop in May 2006 and a saloon in October 2006. Diesels ran from a 1.3 CDTI with 66 kW (90 PS) to a 1.9 CDTI with 110 kW (150 PS). The hatchback ended in September 2009, the other bodies a year later.

Astra J (2009–2015)

The J went on sale in late 2009, and the estate became the Sports Tourer. Cars were built in the UK, Poland and Germany. The five-door ended in June 2015, while the GTC and OPC lasted until April 2018.

Astra K (2015–2021)

Opel first showed the K on 1 June 2015. Production began in July 2015 in the UK and Poland. The K was up to 200 kg lighter than the J and offered IntelliLux matrix LED headlights. German sources list it as European Car of the Year 2016. Production ended in December 2021.

Astra L (2021–present)

The L was unveiled on 13 July 2021 and the Sports Tourer on 1 December 2021. It uses the EMP2 platform of the Peugeot 308 and DS 4, and is built in Germany. A facelift shown at the Brussels Motor Show in January 2026 added a front light bar and Intelli-Lux HD headlights with more than 50,000 elements.

Engines, transmissions and electrification

Until the L, every Astra used petrol or diesel engines (plus CNG on the K) and front-wheel drive; the L added plug-in hybrid and electric versions. The F had a five-speed manual or a four-speed Aisin automatic, and the H offered the Easytronic automated manual.

Performance flagships by generation:

• F GSi: 2.0 16V, 110 kW (150 PS), suspension lowered by 15 mm.
• G OPC: 118 kW (160 PS) for the first 3,000 cars of 1999; German sources quote 147 kW (200 PS) for the later turbo.
• H OPC: 177 kW (240 PS), 0–100 km/h in 6.4 s and 244 km/h (152 mph).
• J OPC: 206 kW (280 PS) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft), 0–100 km/h in 6.0 s, limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).
• K: 1.6 Turbo, 147 kW (200 PS), 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) on overboost.
• L GSe: plug-in hybrid with 165 kW (225 PS) and 360 Nm (266 lb-ft).

The regular Astra L plug-in hybrid pairs a 1.6 Turbo with an electric motor for 133 kW (180 PS), and a 48-volt mild hybrid 1.2 is reported from February 2024. The Astra Electric has a 115 kW (156 PS) motor and a 54 kWh battery, about 410 km (255 miles) WLTP and 100 kW DC charging. For the 2026 facelift, launch reports quote 55.4 kWh usable and 454 km (282 miles) WLTP. Opel's earlier EV, the Ampera-e, was a separate model.

Dimensions, interior space and boot capacity

The table covers the current Astra L hatchback; hybrid and electric versions have smaller boots.

The Astra L Sports Tourer carries 597–1,634 L (21.1–57.7 cu ft) with petrol or diesel engines and 516–1,553 L (18.2–54.8 cu ft) as a hybrid or Electric.

Safety: Euro NCAP ratings by generation

Three Astra generations have Euro NCAP star ratings, each under a different test protocol.

• Astra J, 2009: five stars; the three-door GTC also received five stars.
• Astra K, 2015: five stars, with 86 % adult occupant, 84 % child occupant, 83 % pedestrian and 75 % safety assist.
• Astra L, 2022: four stars, with 80 % adult occupant, 82 % child occupant, 67 % vulnerable road users and 66 % safety assist.

Euro NCAP's datasheet explains the L's lower score: chest protection was rated marginal, there is no centre airbag, and some autonomous emergency braking tests were marginal. Results from 2015 and 2022 are not directly comparable, because the protocol was tightened in between. The G and H were tested too, but their star counts are not given in our sources.

Reliability, recalls and ownership

The best data covers the J and K. ADAC's breakdown statistics place the J in the lower midfield, with recurring EGR valve (2009–2012 cars), coolant hose, turbocharger and ignition coil faults. The K rates average to good: its breakdown index falls from 22.2 per 1,000 cars for 2015 registrations to 9.9 for 2021, with flat starter batteries on early cars and charge-pressure control faults on 2020–2021 cars.

The TÜV Report 2026, analysed by Auto Bild, groups the J and K together. At two to three years old 86.2 % passed without defects against an average of 89.4 %; at 12 to 13 years the figure was 48.8 % against 56.0 %. Oil loss is a main finding for both. Inspectors also note springs, brake discs and exhausts on the J, and headlight adjustment and emissions on the K.

German recalls listed by ADAC include 136,830 J models in September 2015 (parking-brake warning software) and, for the K, 575 cars in December 2016 (passenger airbag control unit) and 2,325 in January 2020 (seat backrest welds). Check that recall work has been done.

Rivals: how the Astra compares

The Astra competes with the Ford Focus, the Kia Ceed and the Skoda Octavia, and since the L also with its technical twin, the Peugeot 308. The Astra Sports Tourer is the version to set against the Octavia estate.