Video: 2008 Saturn Astra

It does well. They figured why not keep the same name? I think the Astro is one of the best new designs in Saturn's new design direction. It looks kind of nice in front. The chrome isn't overdone and the headlight clusters are pretty well done too the clear lens is here. There's a little bit of chrome, but it's not overdone. There are two body styles. Our test car here is a four-door hatchback or a five door. There's also a two-door hatchback. The idea behind importing the Astro was it's a higher quality vehicle than a lot of entry-level cars are in this country. It's definitely better than the Chevy cobalt and the Saturn Ion, which is going to replace. Their soft surfaces though, it doesn't look so much like a Saturn on the inside. This looks a little bit, I don't know, Darth Vaderee if you ask me, there are other signs of the European origins, the tachometer is labeled in hundreds rather than thousands. So you see 10 and 20 where you're accustomed to one and two. Then there are these symbols on the steering wheel controls. They don't look familiar, but it turns out they control the trip computer and aspects of the stereo. The seats are more European in style they're firm and supportive, which is good. The driver's seat has a manual height adjustment. That's good, but the knob for the backrest is hard to reach. Even though our test vehicles are upholstered in cloth, they also have seat heaters. Our test car has a relatively large skylight. It's over the backseat, too. It doesn't open, but it still makes the backseat brighter. And it also seems more open back there. The powered shade is nice too, but it's not completely dark. And it doesn't block sound the way the solid sliding panels do. When a car might not be too familiar. But the engine is, this is the eco tech four cylinder that GM uses pretty much across the world. It's 138 horsepower. It'll be great for fuel economy, but Americans tend to like a little bit more kick. This is a five speed manual. I'd like to see a six speed that would give you a little bit more power and it probably would make for more efficiency too. The cargo space is definitely usable. It's actually pretty small behind the back seat, even compared to the trunks on some sedans. But once you fold the back seat forward, it's then comparable to other hatchbacks like the Volkswagen Golf and the Subaru Impreza. I couldn't help but notice that the anchors on the backrest, which are for securing child seats would easily get in the way and maybe even damage your cargo because usually these things are recessed. Overall I think bringing the Astra in was a good idea. The quality is good. It's proven technology, and it has some upscale features that you wouldn't get in an entry-level compact car. <v Narrator>For additional information on this car or any other go to cars.com and our blog Kicking Tires.