Sending it off.
UPDATE 17/2: General Motors has announced it will axe Holden at the end of 2020. The new Astra is arriving in some showrooms, presumably inventory that may have already been produced in its Poland factory before its major decision.
Holden has revealed the facelifted Astra hatchback will arrive for its final year of sales, with more standard equipment and a rationalised model range.
Despite announcing the Opel/Vauxhall-derived Astra and Commodore models will cease in late 2020, the Lion brand has continued to bring the updated 2020 Astra to Australia, sending it off in its final year.
The Astra hatchback range is now three-pong — R, RS and RS-V. Most Notably, the grille has been tweaked with squircle patterns and General Motors’ signature chrome line that sinks into the Holden logo, and the front bumper has also been reworked with reshaped faux fog light housings.
The entry-level ‘R’ gains important safety tech, including autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with a head-up forward collision warning, and lane departure warning with lane keep assist.
Full LED headlights (non matrix) with LED daytime running lights and indicators, a leather steering wheel, and a gloss silver dashboard panel (replacing piano black) also join. But, it now gets inferior pews with the “Jet Black talino cloth” having reduced bolsters and buckets.
The base model keeps its 17-inch alloy wheels, 7-inch MyLink touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reversing camera with rear parking sensors, and automatic headlights and wipers.
Holden as ditched the manual transmission; all models are automatic only to favour the Australian market.
However, engines are unchanged, motivating ‘R’ by a 1.4-litre turbo 4-cylinder that produces 110kW at 5000-6000rpm power and 240Nm of torque at a modest 2400-4800rpm. This is the only trim level that accepts regular 91RON unleaded fuel.
Stepping up to the RS and RS-V receives a punchier 1.6-litre turbo with power 147kW at 5500rpm and torque at 280Nm at 1650-5000rpm (300Nm at 1700-4700rpm on over boost). These “warm hatch” figures place it in line with the likes of the Hyundai i30 N-Line and Kia Cerato GT-Line, though it must require at least 95RON premium unleaded.
The sportier mid-spec ‘RS’ gets a cosmetic black treatment with 17-inch black alloys, mirror caps, roof and door handles exclusively. The infotainment screen gets upgraded to 8-inches with built-in maps and General Motors’ latest software which debuted on the Arcadia. Newly introduced is an 8-inch digital driver’s display, while DAB+ digital radio, dual-zone climate control, comfier “Jet Black cloth” seats, dual USB ports, keyless entry with push button start, heated folding mirrors, blind spot alert, front parking sensors, and automatic parking round out the equipment list.
The flagship ‘RS-V’ adds new 18-inch alloy wheels, LED tail lights, leather seats (heated at the front), power lumbar adjustment, a heated steering wheel, sunroof, electric park brake, wireless charging, ambient lighting, adaptive cruise control, and remote engine start via the key.
Colours are unchanged, meaning all bar Absolute Red and Summit White demand a $550 premium. Confusingly, Nautic Blue is only available with the base ‘R.’
As standard, a five year unlimited kilometre warranty is included as well as five-year roadside assistance with every scheduled service from the first date of registration. Capped priced servicing is limited to seven-years.
As of publication, pricing is quite steep, though expect frequent promotions and malleable haggling at Holden dealers as stock clears throughout the year.
According to the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), the 2020 Astra is on sale now — retaining its 2015 tested 5-star safety rating. It is unclear whether Holden New Zealand will receive this update, given specification differences with the pre-facelift.
Driveaway Pricing (*Queensland as of publication):
- R: $26,872
- RS: $31,248
- RS-V: $36,398
Prestige Paint: +$550
The Connected by Henry Man 