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Video: Saturn Astra Brings European Handling, Styling to North America (Visit this link)
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.
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