Vauxhall Astra

Regularly appearing on the top 10 sales charts since the first version appeared in 1980, today’s Vauxhall Astra comprises of a family-friendly five-door hatchback and the commodious Sport Tourer estate. The rakish coupe known as the GTC, remains based on the previous generation Astra.

Originally launched to replace the Viva and more expensive versions of the Chevette, the seventh generation Vauxhall Astra, launched in 2015, directly rivals the likes of the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf. It’s powered by a range of fuel-efficient petrol and diesel engines, inlcuding ecoFLEX and 'Whisper Diesel', aimed at delivering low running costs to private motorists and company car drivers alike.

Sporty Astras have formed part of the line-up since 1983, the most recent iteration being the 155mph Astra VXR, sharing its three-door body with the GTC, but pumped up with bigger wheels and deeper spoilers.