Vauxhall’s Astra GSe: Does It Deliver on the Performance Promise?
Vauxhall has introduced its new GSe performance label on the Astra. The Astra will finally get a fully electric model later this year, which is a big move for the British firm. Vauxhall hopes that this will push sales of its already popular family hatch, and it is “almost the last piece in the puzzle” ahead of its EV-only lineup coming in 2028. As questions are raised about the future of the firm’s sportier models in this upcoming electric age, especially since it killed off the GSi performance brand, we welcome this: the Astra GSe.
The Astra GSe (for Grand Sport electric) is launched alongside the bigger Vauxhall Grandland GSe crossover. It is the future of the warmed-up Vauxhalls, the brand says, as it rises from GSi ashes – a 40-year legacy which included the Nova GSi, Manta GSi, and Mk3 Astra GSi. However, it is not an electric hot hatch to kick off the named “electric” sub-brand. In a different approach, the British marque has instead launched GSe with a hatch powered partly by dinosaurs with a sprinkling of electrical aid.
Performance
The Astra GSe has the same 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine (assisted by a 107bhp electric motor and 9.9kWh battery) as found in the standard 178bhp Astra PHEV, but now uprated to 222bhp. An eight-speed automatic ‘box sends this to the front wheels. Billed as Vauxhall’s answer to the Volkswagen Golf GTE, it delivers nippy-ish performance, sprinting to 62mph from standing in 7.5sec (compared to the Golf’s 6.7sec) and pushes all the way to 146mph. Although it doesn’t have a plethora of power, it’s nice to know you can deploy it all without ending up on a speed awareness course.
Suspension and Equipment
The Astra GSe sits above the Astra Hybrid 180 in the range and additionally gets a more dynamic suspension set-up, with a 10mm-lower ride height, Koni frequency-selective dampers, and a more permissive stability control system. Standard equipment is also pretty generous, with a head-up display, matrix LED headlights, wireless charging, and a suite of driver assistance features. Visually, it’s marked out as the GSe by unique 18in alloy wheels, a unique front bumper, and a black roof.
Driving Experience
On the road, the Astra GSe pulls well. With the chassis tweaked for stiffness and steering tightened compared to the standard car, the GSe feels at home on British B-roads – especially with Sport mode enabled, which weights the wheel and keeps the engine primed. It takes corners well, aided by this pleasingly direct steering, which leaves a satisfying feeling. Yet, this new stiffened set-up means it loses its soft, comfortable nature in normal driving, feeling harder than the standard car. It’s not horrendous by any means, just a tad on the noticeable side.
Engagement
Sadly, that is where any sort of engagement ends. For with a sporty model, what you need is connection; that feeling. And this powertrain just doesn’t deliver it. Yes, it has some warmed-up poke, but where is the sound? There really is nothing to make you want to tickle the accelerator. Visually, there’re not even any visible exhausts.
Interior
The Astra GSe has a brilliantly laid-out cabin (as part of the firm’s new Modern Solid language), but materials – such as padded leather and metal touchpoints – are more in line with its just over £40,000 pricetag. It’s no BMW, but it’s a nice place to be. The only nod to the hatch’s sportier credentials are two GSe badges, both just under the headrest that can’t be seen when actually sitting in the car. As we’re talking about those new sporty seats, clad in Alcantara, they could also have done with a tad more lateral support, too.
Price
At just over £40,000, the Astra GSe is not cheap, but it’s better value than the equivalent Volkswagen Golf GTE, Peugeot 308 or Cupra Leon hybrid. However, buyers will understandably be comparing it to the £38,000 Ford Focus ST and even the £36,000 Hyundai i30N. Both are similarly sized but offer buckets more involvement, feel, and are true hot hatches.
Conclusion
One question remains: what is the point of this car? It feels confused, but maybe that’s unfair, especially when the buyer of this car is considered. That’s because that buyer will be one who will most likely be settling rather than choosing. It will be one who sets out to buy a true hot hatch – like the above mentioned – but after totting up the tax, commuting fuel cost (even with a quick hoon, it averaged around 40mpg – and will do even more in hybrid and full-electric modes), and the dreaded insurance bands, the Vauxhall becomes the much more affordable option. Sure, maybe there will be buyers who truly want an Astra GSe, but to me, it feels like a missed opportunity and translates as more of a top-end trim level rather than the debut model in a new electric performance brand. As we noted in the car’s international launch, don’t be fooled by the sporty badge: the Astra GSe isn’t.
Secondary Headers:
– Performance
– Suspension and Equipment
– Driving Experience
– Engagement
– Interior
– Price
– Conclusion