Vauxhall’s sleek new three-door Astra GTC takes on the current king of cool: the Volkswagen Scirocco

To dismiss the Astra GTC as just a three-door version of the Astra hatchback is a big mistake. It has distinctive styling and several unique bils and pieces in the suspension, so is a very different beast indeed.

In fact, it’s so different it can be considered a rival for far more sleek and sexy machines, such as the Volkswagen Scirocco, a bespoke coupe based on the Golf.

What the Scirocco and GTC have in common is that they sacrifice some of the space and practicality of their five-door brethren in the name of sleeker looks and a more exciting driving experience. However, it s what’s different between them that will ultimately determine which emerges ahead at Ihe end of this test.

What are they like to drive?

Compared with the standard Astra, the GTC turns in to comers much more sharply and has much better body control. However, in too many areas, it gives second best to the Scirocco.

Despite the fact that the GTC’s steering is sharper than the Scirocco’s, it doesn’t give as much feedback. That means that, at any speed, it’s not so easy to place the GTC accurately on the road, which makes it less enjoyable to drive.

Likewise, although the Astra grips well and is reasonably composed through the bends, again it’s the Scirocco that is the more composed, feeling more controlled and agile than its rival.

Vauxhall Astra GTC

Vauxhall Astra GTC

The Volkswagen also gives the stronger and more flexible performance. It develops its peak pull at just isoorpm (700rpm less than the Vauxhall), which helps it to be the quicker in almost all of our in-gear acceleration tests.

The Astra’s extra power shows only when you rev the engine hard – and then you’re far more conscious of its poorer refinement than any extra pace.

The Astra’s controls are also a disappointment. Above all, its gearchange isn’t as slick as the VW‘s, and its brake and throttle pedals don’t have the same sensitivity as the Scirocco’s. To make matters worse, the Astra’s clutch pedal is difficult to operate smoothly.

Volkswagen Scirocco

Volkswagen Scirocco

What are they like inside?

From outside, both cars look quite different to the cars they’re based on, but inside they betray their roots only too obviously. On one hand, that means neither feels particularly special, but on the other, there s not too much wrong with them.

The Scirocco’s is the classier, with its big, clear dials, chunky switchgear and soft-touch trim on the dash. However, its cabin isn’t perfect, and in some places – around the handbrake and gearlever, for example – you’ll find harder, less-attractive materials.

By contrast, theUTC’s cabin feels less sophisticated, an impression that’s reinforced by the thick frames around the side windows and the fact that there’s more hard plastic used in more (and more obvious) places On the other hand, the subtle ambient lighting around the base of the gearleverand behind the door handles is very classy.

Vauxhall Astra GTC Interior

Vauxhall Astra GTC Interior

There’s little to choose between the two in terms of space up front, and little to complain about. Both provide plenty of head- and legroom, as well as a wide range of adjustment to ensure that all shapes and sizes get comfortable.

It’s in the back you find the real differences, and it’s the Scirocco that comes off worse. First, it has two seats to the Astra’s three (although admittedly you’ll struggle to squeeze three adults in); but more importantly, the Vauxhall’s rear cabin is wider, has more head- and legroom, and offers a better view out. It’s the only one that could realistically take four six-footers on a long trip in comfort.

The GTC’s boot is also the more impressive; visibly the larger of the two and with a much lower lip than the VW’s, making it easier to load and unload.

Volkswagen Scirocco Interior

Volkswagen Scirocco Interior

Will they break the bank?

Consider all of the costs you’ll incur over a three-year period (tax, fuel, servicing and insurance, as well as depreciation), and the Scirocco is L4000 cheaper to run than the GTC. That’s mainly due to the VW’s much stronger resale value after three years. Admittedly, that gap will narrow once our Target Price shoppers find discounts on the GTC, but we can’t see it closing completely.

The Scirocco’s supremacy is confirmed by having better economy and emissions than the GTC – which also means that the VW is the better company car.

Vauxhall Astra GTC

Vauxhall Astra GTC

The only way the GTC regains some ground is in the discounts you can find online. A little browsing on the internet found a discount of almost L4000 through Broadspeed.com, whereas the best we could find on the VW was a price of just under L18,800 from Drivethedeal.com.

In terms of equipment, there’s little to choose between the two; both come with a full roster of safety equipment, alloy wheels, air-conditioning, remote central locking and electric front windows.

The GTC scores by having a DAB radio and cruise control as standard (L180 and L235 on the VW, respectively), but the Scirocco hits back by having Bluetooth (L220 on the GTC) and Adaptive Chassis Control; Vauxhall’s similar Flexride system is a L790 option.

Volkswagen Scirocco

Volkswagen Scirocco

Our verdict

There’s a lot to like about the Astra GTC. However, when you compare it with the Scirocco, it lags behind in too many crucial areas. The Volkswagen is quicker, belter to drive and cheaper to own, and it’s a clear winner here.

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