MOM’S TAXI TEST: Opel Astra 1.4T Essentia
Every girl needs a little turbo in her life, so Opel’s Astra five-door 1.4 could just be the way to go.
In glorious colours (I particularly enjoyed my Power Red model) and with an interior as plush and comfortable as you could want, the zesty hatchback is the ideal city and long distance traveller.
It’s quick, extraordinarily smooth (and particularly impressive on dirt and corrugation, with barely any vibration or road noise), luxurious, and impeccably behaved.
The six-speed gearbox is a delight, the dials and gauges, each in their own little pod, are intelligently and clearly laid out and visible, and the finish is typically, beautifully Opel. Loved the sexy leather steering wheel, too.
Powered by a 1.4-litre turbopetrol that offers a sprightly 103kW and 200Nm, the Astra is also rather economical.
The Opel Astra has always been a head-turner, so GM says there was never a need to change the basic shape.
However, what the engineers have done is carry out some exterior and interior design tweaks to perfect this stylish and sleek vehicle’s overall appeal.
IN THE DETAIL
So you’ll notice a new front grille with a wing-like chrome bar and the Opel logo; they’ve also redesigned the front and rear bumper, and added new chrome detailing at the rear of the perky little car.
Here’s the thing, though: I might never have been the kind of girl who applies her make-up while driving, but I really wish manufacturers wouldn’t save costs by leaving off a vanity mirror on the driver’s sun visor.
It annoys me because it immediately gives the impression the car is designed for men...
Moving on, though, you’ll find the car as safe as a car can be. All models come standard with side-impact protection bars, driver and passenger airbags as well as a front seat side airbag. Curtain airbags are standard on the 1.4 Turbo Essentia, 1.4 Turbo Enjoy and the 1.6T Sport models.
I always prefer leather seats, but the model I was driving (Essentia) had cloth seats, and wind-up rear windows. There is no spare tyre, incidentally.
Personally, I loved the car.
It was fabulously comfortable, handled like a dream, was fun to drive – and was the perfect fit for my family and I.
The 1.4T costs from R248 000 and comes with a five-year/120 000km warranty and roadside assistance, as well as a five-year/unlimited kilometres anti-corrosion warranty. -The Mercury