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Vauxhall Astra 2022 review

Hatchback Petrol

Vauxhall Astra 2022 — front three-quarter view

Overview

The eighth-generation Vauxhall Astra arrived in the UK at the end of 2021 with order books opening in November, the first Astra developed entirely under Stellantis ownership. It sits on the EMP2 platform shared with the Peugeot 308, and Vauxhall gave it a fresh visual identity with the brand's new Vizor front end and Griffin badge. Launched with on-the-road prices from £23,275 and first UK deliveries in the first quarter of 2022, it was aimed squarely at the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and its French sibling the 308 in the fiercely competitive family hatchback class.

At launch the Astra offered a deliberately simple powertrain menu: a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol in 110PS or 130PS guise, a 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel with 130PS, and a plug-in hybrid pairing a 1.6 turbo petrol with a 12.4kWh battery for 180PS. Both petrol and diesel could be had with a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic. Vauxhall's own February 2022 figures quoted the 130PS petrol manual at 9.7 seconds 0-60mph, 130mph and 51.4mpg combined with 123-127g/km of CO2, while the diesel manual managed 62.8-65.7mpg. The hybrid promised roughly 35 miles of electric driving at launch (later reviews cited 42-43 miles), 24g/km CO2 and an 8 per cent benefit-in-kind rate, with a stronger 225PS version joining later.

The UK trim structure was simplified to three grades — Design, GS Line and Ultimate — a system Vauxhall then rolled out across its whole range. Even the entry Design included 16-inch alloys, LED lights, front and rear parking sensors and the Pure Panel dual 10-inch digital cockpit; GS Line added sportier styling, a 360-degree camera and adaptive cruise control from around £26,170; Ultimate brought IntelliLux Pixel LED headlights, a head-up display, panoramic sunroof and heated windscreen from £29,285. Euro NCAP awarded the Astra four stars in its 2022 tests — decent, though a notch below some rivals — with 80 per cent adult and 82 per cent child occupant scores. The hatchback's 422-litre boot comfortably out-measured the Golf's, expanding to 1,339 litres with the seats folded.

Looked at from 2026, the Astra has matured into one of the better-value used family hatches on the market. Its sharper styling has aged well, the plug-in hybrids make sense for drivers who can charge regularly, and second-hand examples of 2022 cars now typically advertise between about £10,500 and £14,000 on AutoTrader. The caveats are worth knowing: MotorEasy workshop data reported to The Car Expert in March 2026 gave the Astra a below-average reliability score, with engine-related faults the most common and most expensive, and the four-star safety rating trails the best in class. Buyers who check the service history carefully, though, get a lot of car for the money.

UK price from: £23,275

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Specifications

Engine	1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol, 1,199cc (130PS variant)
Power	130PS (128bhp)
0-60 mph	9.7 seconds (manufacturer figure)
Top speed	130 mph
Transmission	6-speed manual (8-speed automatic optional)
Drive	Front-wheel drive
Fuel economy	51.4 mpg combined (WLTP, manufacturer figure)
CO2 emissions	123-127 g/km
Boot space	422 litres (1,339 litres seats folded)
Euro NCAP	4 stars (2022 test — 80% adult, 82% child)
Insurance group	17 (Design) to 18 (GS Line)
Warranty	3 years (UK)

Features

Pure Panel digital cockpit: twin 10-inch screens (digital instruments plus central touchscreen) standard on every trim
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring as standard
IntelliLux Pixel LED matrix headlights on Ultimate trim, sharpening night vision without dazzling others
AGR-certified ergonomic front seats, approved by the German campaign for healthier backs
Intelli-Vision 360-degree parking camera from GS Line upwards
Adaptive cruise control with intelligent speed adaptation on GS Line and above
Head-up display, wireless phone charging and panoramic sunroof on Ultimate
Full LED headlights and tail-lights, keyless start and electronic climate control from the entry Design grade

Common parts & prices

Part	Price (GBP)	Notes
Front brake pads (set)	£34	Pattern part; common service item, widely available brands
Front brake discs (pair)	£62	Pattern part; check for wear lip and thickness at each pad change
Engine oil filter	£11	Pattern part; replace at every annual service
Engine air filter	£15	Pattern part; plentiful for the 1.2 turbo engine
Spark plugs (set of 3)	£24	Pattern part; check replacement interval with a dealer for the 1.2 turbo
Wet timing belt service (garage job)	£525	The 1.2 turbo PureTech-family engines use a wet belt — have it inspected on schedule; a known high-cost job if it fails

Prices are typical UK aftermarket/OEM guide prices and may vary by supplier.

Pros

Sharp, distinctive styling with the Vizor grille makes it stand out against the Golf and Focus
Generous standard equipment — dual 10-inch screens, LED lights and a suite of driver aids from the cheapest Design
Convincing plug-in hybrid option with over 40 miles of electric range in later reviews and an 8% BiK rate for company drivers
Class-leading 422-litre boot in the hatchback, bigger than the Golf's, plus a roomier Sports Tourer estate
Sharp launch pricing undercutting several rivals, backed by a simplified, easy-to-understand trim ladder

Cons

Four-star Euro NCAP rating lags behind five-star rivals in the same class
Rear legroom is tighter than in a Ford Focus or Seat Leon, and the door openings make fitting child seats fiddly
Infotainment responses can be sluggish and some on-screen fonts are uncomfortably small, per WhatCar
Below-average reliability score in 2026 MotorEasy/The Car Expert workshop data, with engine faults the costliest

Frequently asked questions

What engines did the 2022 Vauxhall Astra launch with in the UK?

A 1.2-litre turbo petrol in 110PS or 130PS form, a 1.5-litre diesel with 130PS, and a 180PS plug-in hybrid pairing a 1.6 turbo petrol with a 12.4kWh battery. A more powerful 225PS hybrid joined later. Petrol and diesel versions offered a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic; hybrids were automatic only.

Is there a fully electric Vauxhall Astra?

Yes — the Astra Electric arrived in 2023 with a 156PS motor, 54kWh battery and up to 258 miles of WLTP range, accelerating from 0-62mph in 9.2 seconds.

What is the Vauxhall Astra's Euro NCAP safety rating?

Four stars out of five from the 2022 tests, scoring 80 per cent for adult occupant protection, 82 per cent for children, 67 per cent for vulnerable road users and 66 per cent for safety assistance. The rating applies to the plug-in hybrid and electric versions too.

Is the eighth-generation Vauxhall Astra reliable?

Workshop and extended-warranty data reported by The Car Expert (via MotorEasy) in March 2026 gave the Astra a below-average reliability score, with engine-related faults the most common and most expensive, averaging over £1,000 per repair. A full service history and a pre-purchase inspection are strongly advised on used examples.

Is a 2022 Vauxhall Astra a good used buy in 2026?

Yes, for the right buyer. 2022 cars now advertise on AutoTrader from roughly £10,500-£14,000, making it strong value against a Golf or Focus. It is best suited to buyers who prioritise kit, styling and boot space; check the reliability history and charge a plug-in hybrid regularly to get its real-world benefits.