Our Fleet Test Drive: Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer - 7th report

Date: 03 January 2012   |   Author: Hugh Hunston

Cabin

The controls and instruments are largely intuitive - apart from initial confusion over pressing the outside ring of the central stack dial to select various functions - and the satnav has been refreshingly logical to operate, as is the DAB radio/CD player. The high-quality digital reception enjoys almost uninterrupted area coverage, too.

Heating and ventilation controls are effective, even if a bout of overnight steamy windows takes frustratingly long to clear. Equally, cruise control is not seamless while the driver's seat-height adjuster is sticky to use.

But the net result is an integrated and joined up design, with feel-good touches like reddish ambient instrument cluster, central console and floor-level lighting at night. Pity an annoying buzz has developed within that ergonomically sound fascia.

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