Styling is one of the biggest draws to the '08 Saturn Astra, says reviewer Peter Bohr. "The Astra's chic, European good looks will move the cars off Saturn dealers' lots. If the Astra is Jessica Alba, most of its Japanese competitors are Ugly Bettys."

Both inside and out, the Astra's build quality appears to be first-rate. Things fit well, the door jams and sills are nicely finished and there's nothing chintzy about the soft-touch materials in the interior, despite the Astra's relatively low price point. The car conveys a feeling of solidity that I associate with many German cars. "Solid" is a good way to describe the Astra's handling, too - despite the fact that the Astra has a beam rear axle set-up rather than an independent rear suspension. My two-door XR came with racy five-spoke, 18-inch alloy wheels which certainly helped the car stick to the pavement when I drove aggressively on a twisty road. The steering felt quick and responsive. And though the ride was on the stiff side, it never became unbearably so. If you're in the market for a small car - and who isn't these days? - the Astra's styling, handling and build quality make it worth considering. But if Saturn/Opel addresses some of its problems - say, with a more powerful Red Line edition - the Astra could be outstanding.