Road Test
Model: Holden Astra SRi Hatch (MY 7.5)
RRP: $29,990
Price as tested: $29,990
Also consider: Ford Focus Zetec (more here), Mazda 3 SP23 (more here)
Overall Rating: 3.5/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 4.0/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 4.0/5.0
Safety: 4.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.5/5.0
X-factor: 3.5/5.0
Lining up with its three-door siblings, the Astra SRi five-door hatch wears the well-regarded badge with reason. The SRi tag not only serves as distinction between the 1.8-litre ECOTEC equipped Astras and this, the 2.2-litre 'Direct' injection engined model, but signals Holden has its own sporty hatch with the same convenience as its competitors' five-door offerings.
The latest Astra is a favourite for its spaciousness, quality build and driving dynamics but the SRi additions take it up a notch. Leather all 'round and heated seats up front are pleasant inclusions, and 17-inch alloys and body kit set it apart from the more humble five-door Astras.
The sportier SRis also boast added performance from the new-to-the-range 2.2-litre 'Direct' ECOTEC engine with variable high-pressure direct fuel-injection, which Holden says enhances efficiency compared to multi-point fuel-injection systems.
The 2.2 is good for 110kW/210Nm, while the 'XER' 1.8-litre engine offered in the Astra CD and CDX models is rated at 103kW/175Nm with the five-speed manual. The three and five-door naturally aspirated SRi Astras are offered with a six-speed manual (as tested) or four-speed auto (Note: the SRi Turbo is manual only).
The SRi models come with a 'sports chassis pack'. The SRi's ride is noticeably firmer than the standard Astra -- in keeping with its racey (lower) ride height. It gets rough over potholes and coarse city streets but is generally a good compromise between sports and comfort.
The steering is much the same: responsive and direct with a nice weighty feel, but toned down enough so that it's not go-kart fidgety in your hands.
The six-speed manual, as tested, is smooth shifting and the ratios well chosen. Matched to the low-revving 2.2, the SRi is decent off the line and has good mid-range urge but serious getaways require at least a push of its 'sports' button allowing more revs between shifts and better response.
In the SRi's case the sports mode should remain, and the button replaced with an 'eco' setting for general tooling about if it's important to get somewhere near the official 8.9lt/100km consumption… which we didn't.
The SRi's braking is particularly good. Considering it uses the same set-up as all the other Astras -- four-wheel disc, ventilated up front -- we have to put it down to the added grip by way of the 17 x 7 alloys.
Astra rates highly for body structure strength and is equipped with driver, front passenger, front side impact and curtain airbags. ABS, traction control and ESP are also standard.
Astra's roomy cabin benefits from the SRi treatment, managing to look sporty despite it being not much more than a leather and aluminium fit-out of the standard five-seater. The manual winders for the rear windows is a giveaway, however.
The SRi gets Astra branded sill plates, alloy-look pedals, and stylish black leather-trimmed sports steering wheel and leather-faced seats. A comfortable driving position was easy to arrange with SRi's eight-way adjustable seat and tilt-and-height adjustable steering, but the seats are far from plush and some travellers may want for pews with more cushioning.
The SRi's body kit differs to the SRi Turbo model's but is no less striking. The front, rear and side skirts add an edge to Astra's good looks, and while there are optional wheel designs available, even the standard five-spoke alloys complement the hatch's sporty disguise.
In fact, the Astra SRi's appearance in the test carpark drew more enquiries from office staff than the RenaultSport Megane 225 a few weeks back... Attention worthwhile, really, considering the competitive pricetag for a sportier version of the worthy Astra.
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