VAUXHALL Astravan road test reports and car reviews

Vauxhall Astravan Sportive 1.9SE 2009

This only looks like a van. It’s really a sports car, fast and agile with no down sides for me, just great fun and FAST.

Vauxhall Astravan 1.7 cdti Sportive 2009

This is my eighth Astravan since starting with an Astra max in the 90s. I have to admit the one problem I have with this latest shape (this is my second) is the noise from the tyres, it’s very noisy but after I have been to the tuners and remaped the ECU I soon forget about it. The van with a remap is fantastic; MPG is better, 5th & 6th pick up is so much better. The one other thing with the Astravan is the reliabilty - I have never had a fault or problem with any of them.

Responses to this review

Hi, what’s the name of the garage you went to for a remap? Cheers - Dean Rayden from Lancashire

Vauxhall Astravan 1.9 2008

I really wanted to like this van as I currently drive a 2005 Astravan 1.7 CDT and I badly need to replace this soon. My mate has just bought a 1.9 Sportive so I had a chance to try before I buy. For a van it has a very luxurious cab with all the toys. Quite quiet around town but it became very boomy on the motorway, more so than my existing model (which has much thinner tyres). But what else can you expect - the 1.9 has large tires and they have a big unsound-proofed box to resonate in ( laws of physics innit). It was a lot more bearable laden. It handles really well and had plenty of power but I came away wondering do I really want out of a van. If I need a sports car I will buy a sports car. If I need a small van the 1.3 CDT might be a more sensible bet as it has 20% better fuel efficiency, it is still powerful enough to carry a full payload - you can drop a gear on the steeper hills if it’s struggling (that’s what gears are for I thought) and it’s probably quieter too.

Vauxhall Astravan 1.9CDti Sportive Automatic 2007

Why don’t Vauxhall ever quote the mpg for the Astravan? Maybe here’s why... With tyres pumped up to the 40psi max and cruising at 65 to 70mph I’m getting up to 51mpg. But the road noise is unbearable and it’s not at all comfortable (ear plugs required). Drop the tyre pressure back to 35psi and the road noise becomes (just about) liveable with again, but the mpg drops to 40 - 44mpg (my wife’s 2.0litre turbo Saab 93 can manage 40mpg). A bit disappointing as I’d hoped for the 50 to 60mpg that you can get out of the VW 1.9 turbo diesels. However, build quality is good, handling is exemplary, it’s totally reliable... and no-one else makes an estate-car based van.

Responses to this review

That’s because no one else makes an estate car-based van. The Astravan is the only one - Chuck Chapman from England

Vauxhall Astravan sportive auto 2008

I have had 3 model Astra Vans in the past so l think l know a little more than some! The road test doesn’t mention the the amout of outside noise from this model, if you have a passenger and are traveling on the open road, limit the conversation because you will have difficulty in hearing each other, much more noisier that the previous model...Jeff

Vauxhall Astravan Sportive 2007

Uncomfortable as hell - can’t move the seat back enough. I’ve had to remove black divider and still can’t stretch my legs and I am 1.85m tall. Unless you have really short legs your hips and knees are going to be in constant pain. Fuel economy is quite poor from a 1.7 - had it as low as 37 mpg, got 48 mpg last summer but that only happened once. Very very noisy in the cabin from all directions. Also there is no arm rest which is a huge disappointment. I drive quite a lot (35 -40k a year) and an armrest is a must. The sports bucket seats are way way to narrow I am a skinny guy but my arse physically cant fit in the seat because it’s too narrow. What’s wrong with the normal seats - it’s not like 1.7 diesel going to shake you out from it. On the positive side it handles well. PS, I miss my Mondeo with the normal seats and armrest.

Vauxhall Astravan 1.7cdti 2007

I bought this van brand new. It was the size I wanted and it looked a smart van. The cabin itself is not any different from the Astra car and is smart. The ceiling itself is different and has a cheap cardboard feel about it. It is a Sportive model so the air con, heated/electric mirrors etc are handy to have and it’s a nice interior. It is only a year old and has done 14,000 miles. On the road it isn’t that great on fuel. This 1.7 engine isn’t any better than the 1.9 regarding fuel consumption and I only get around 44mpg. The handling is great and I have no complaints there. The engine is not underpowered but there is hardly any response in 5th and 6th gear. The engine is rather noisy at low speeds but becomes a muted hum once you get above 70mph and is hardly heard on motorways. Sadly when you up the pace and engine becomes quieter road noise becomes a BIG issue. Regardless of what speed and road you are on the tyre noise from the rear becomes far too noisy and becomes a major pain when you get faster. This makes the cabin an extremely noisy place and even with the radio up loud it does not shut the noise away. Even with a bulkhead and ply lining the noise is still there. Wind noise and exterior noises coming through the back are a pain. For me a van that handles the road well and has the best interior of any van. But the road noise let’s it down big time and really the headache pills and earplugs are needed. I won’t buy another one as i don’t think it’s worth the money.

Vauxhall Astravan 1.7 Diesel 2007

Compared to my last 6 year old 1.7 diesel which covered 120000 enjoyable trouble free miles, never returning less than 55 mpg, my one year old replacement has been a big disappointment. It drives ok but is let down by a crude common rail engine which is noisy and uneconomical. I have yet to exceed 47 mpg which is no where near quoted figures. I believe the last engine was an isitzu unit - why did they change? I have had little joy with my dealer or with Vauxhall. Long journeys are tiresome with the radio full blast - what a shame as the Astra is the only estate based van available.

Vauxhall Astravan 1.3 CDTi 2007

Nothing better on the market in my opinion. Perfect little van that makes use of all its available space and drives like a car. Comfortable and very smart looking. Excellent price and cheap to run. Top marks.