Is GSe as good as VXR
Exterior – Front
So, the styling to start with is not as different shall we say as I would have liked or expected it to be. You see GSI and VXR cars looked different from the normal versions. This one looks like a normal Astra. We get the same visor and headlight design. We also get the same lower central airvents. The only difference is that we have bigger black parts connecting the side vents. The overall design inst that sporty in my opinion. I would have also liked a front splitter.
Exterior – Side
Moving round to the side and again there isn't any changes apart for some new wheel options and a slightly lower ride height. For me I would have liked a side skirt like the older cars.
Exterior – Rear
Moving round to the back and yet again there are no changes apart for the new GSe badge. I would have liked a bigger spoiler and a lower diffuser. What is new though is that you can now get the car in estate form. This means you get the same fun driving as you do in the hatch. Or do you. Lets have a look and see what the engine is and lets see if it is as good as the old VXR.
Car and engine specs and price
So the Vauxhall Astra GTC VXR used a 2 litre 4 cylinder turbo petrol engine that produced 240 bhp. This had a 0-60 time of 5.8 seconds which is not that bad. Looking at todays Astra GSe we have a plug in hybrid powertrain. The Astra GSe uses a 1.6 litre turbo engine with an electric motor to make a combined output of 220 bhp. Yes that is right 221 bhp. 0-60 time is also 7.5 seconds with a top speed of 148 mph. All of this does not sound very good as a VXR replacement. This means you could buy an old Astra VXR and still beat this car in a quarter mile race. What Vauxhall should have done is give it the Grandland GSe powertrain. This uses a dual motor setup to create 296 bhp. Having the SUV better than the hatch just looks silly. If you would like to watch the review of the Grandland GSe then please subscribe as it will be the next video. The price of the Astra GSe starts at £40,550.
Interior – Design
So, getting inside the Astra GSe and just like the outside you will be disappointed as there are not many changes as you would expect. The only big change that you get is new bucket seats that are based on the normal seats. They do say GSe but they are not even reccaro like what VXR’s used to have. There are also no GSe badges anywhere else or even a different steering wheel. The rest of the car feels like an astra. This means you get a pure panel setup with the new Infotainment system which is OK and it does use a voice assistant. The car is nice to sit in but if I am buying a supposed performance astra then I want it to feel like a performance Astra. Lets check the rear seats out.
Practicality
So getting into the back and legroom is not that great for a family car. Headroom is ok but 6 footers will struggle. This car is really for small families and not for adults in the back again this is a shame.
Boot Size
Boot size for the Astra is at 422 litres with the seats up or 1,379 litres with the seats down which is as good as its main rivals.
Summary
So in summary then I think Vauxhall have missed a big trick. The design is not sporty enough for my liking and also the performance is just not there to be a direct replacement to the VXR and GSI sports brands. This could leave room for a new faster model like a GSe+ but we will have to wait and see. If you want an astra then just go for the Ultimate and save some money.
Exterior 3/5
Interior 3/5
Practicality 4/5
Total 10/15
Model | Vauxhall Astra GSe |
Price | £40,550 |
Engine | 1.6 Litre Turbo Petrol + 1 Electric Motor, 220 bhp, 0-62 = 7.5 Secs |
Transmission | 8 Speed Automatic |
On Sale | Yes |
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