Let’s face it, the Astra is ok, but at Astra’s pricing I can get a better equipped Mazda 3 hatch with more room that is more fun to drive, looks better, and just as efficient. What would a rational buyer do?

It does win Red light showdowns in VXR form as far as I can tell… Then again 240bhp is a darn sight heftier than 138…!

As for handling, it’s fine and fun and safer in the wet than RWD, but our Focus still has less body roll and feels more precise, while my BMW is RWD, even more fun and flows sooo nicely.

I totally agree. GM dropped the ball big time when it came to marketing/advertising the new, revitalized, upmarket, Euro inspired Saturn. The first blunder occurred when the Aura arrived on the market backed by a product comparison with the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. The Aura was supposed to represent Euro chic and GM basically saddled it with a dowdy, mainstream image by suggesting it was on par with two of the most appliance-like midsize sedans in the U.S. market. To me, chasing down the mainstream Camry/Accord segment leaders should be Chevrolet’s goal to accomplish with the Malibu. The Aura should be positioned to appeal to people who like to drive a cool, upscale alternative to mainstream midsize sedan products. GM has been off the mark with the new Saturn’s marketing since this initial blunder and has basically failed to convey any definitive type of brand image to the public or any reason why shoppers should prefer a Saturn over any other auto brand in the market today.

I think GM should convert “Saturn” to “Opel” when the Insignia reaches the U.S. market. I think GM would have an easier time establishing a premium Euro image with “Opel”, which doesn’t have Saturn’s previous “cheap and cheerful” baggage with U.S. buyers. The transformation needs to be a complete overhaul that aligns the Euro lineup with the U.S. lineup. A midcycle refresh of the Vue needs to be accompanied by a model name switch to “Opel Antarra”. The Corsa 3-door/5-door and possibly Tigra “TwinTop” need to make an appearance in the U.S. lineup. The next generation Meriva and Zafira MPVs need to be offered in the U.S. The Insignia and the next generation Astra needs to be offered in more variants. The Outlook needs to be discontinued (if GM closes down GMC, they should move the Acadia to Opel; the Acadia looks and sells much better than the dorky Outlook).

If GM wants to bring Opel products to the U.S., they have to make it a diligent, committed endeavor in order for it to be successful. The half-hearted, misguided revitalized Saturn effort has not resonated with U.S. buyers. It’s unfortunate, since the revitalized Saturn has some really nice products.

Saturn – created solely to offer cheap motoring – with its current European line-up offers much better cars than it’s Chevy parent that tries to make it with rebadged Daewoos in the mini and small car segments.

GM, and other manufacturers, were bombarding their customers with “Buy American” or “Buy domestic” slogans in the past. Now they’re try to sell Saturns in spadeloads by “Made in Europe” chants.

Perhpas GM should have brought it in as Chevrolet Astra and move it’s Daewoo heritage to Saturn.

Saturn is morphing from a made-in-America grassroots brand standing for innovation / customer respect / Spring Hill, TN owner lovefests… to a made-in-Europe brand standing for German style and engineering / sophistication / reaction against dull, sludgy American cars.

As the review itself points out, the Astra sells against GM’s own Vibe. The Vue sells against the Equinox / Torrent. The Aura sells against the Malibu. And so on. Outlook is the only Saturn nameplate born in America, and if gas hits $6 or $7 it’ll die in America pretty soon as well. Saturn is the GM brand for people who don’t want a GM American car. The Euro heritage pitch can work on a lot of people (like me) who would buy an Opel or Peugeot if only they were sold in the States.

Naturally, GM uses none of this in current marketing. Saturn is currently positioned as the “green” brand, emphasizing fuel efficiency. They have Auras going down the road with flowers coming out of them or something — a message that probably makes Opel engineers gag.

I like the Astra a lot. Some of the usability quirks with controls, etc. are pluses, not minuses, for people who want a car that’s “a little bit different.” They make you feel connected to Europe.

But I’m afraid the car won’t get the exposure it deserves in this country because GM is afraid to express its (and Saturn’s) essence to target buyers. That’s why people don’t visit Saturn showrooms; they don’t know what the hell is going on in there.

I can’t understand why the Vue / Antara, a great-looking, well-priced, well-equipped mini-SUV with Opel bones, isn’t selling like hotcakes either. When GM has to do 0% / 60 month deals on cars like that, they are doing something really, really wrong on the marketing and messaging side.

I suppose the only issue with the Astra coming to North America is that they’re getting a car that is already 5 years old and is due for replacement in Europe in 2009/2010.

“how about a 260hp 2.0 turbo Red Line for $22,900.” A4

Sounds good to me. I hear it’s being considered. The 2.0 Ecotec will easily fit in this. And yeah as mentioned they offer a 240hp one in Europe. Will it sell for 22,900? That’d be a nice competitive base price but that’s what the Cobalt SS starts out at with the LNF. The Ion Redline was like a grand more than a Coobalt SS/SC so it would probably sticker for more like 23,900 or something. But prices keep jumping up so who knows.

For a hatch I like it. Always did like it when I saw it on the roads in Europe. I just wish they’d bring some other ones over like the Astra drop top. Would make a nice low budget convertible for Saturn. But it’d steal sales from the Sky I’m sure.

Um, what?

There us a center armrest for the Astra that Saturn can install for you. Research, its called.
All the Astra needs is a tweaking of the info center and the Cobalt’s engine. Bingo. Do it, GM.

But the best thing about it is it just feels so solid and tough. Almost like a small Mercedes or VW from the 80’s when they felt like they were built to last. The quality of the plastics and the construction is probably even better than the rabbit in my opinion and it certainly feels more substanstial than the Corolla. But GM should really offer the 2.2 4 cylinder which has a lot kore power but is still very frugal.

I agree with sigma, the Biggest problem GM hhas with Saturn is getting people in to the showrooms. They really probably have one of the nicest ranges in USA right now and its a real shame that they aren’t flying off the lots. Its especially sad because the cars are genuinally good and massive improvements over the previous models. I’m sure word of mouth will spread eventually.

That’s probably the biggest thing that disappoints, GM’s small engines are still coarse and thirstier than they need to be. They haven’t invested barely any money into them, ever. Not in the 70’s, not in the 80’s and certainly not now.

And although I give some kudos to the Caliber for fit and finish, and it’s got some pretty neat storage features, it’s far behind the competition. The interior looks outdated, the design sure doesn’t look good. If it’s the best Chrysler can do, they won’t be around for long. Even the Astra’s looking pretty outdated.

I would be willing to cash an extra grand for a Honda Fit, I’ll save that much money in a year or two.

BTW where’s our daily Camaro story??? I expect two Camaro stories on Monday to make up for this!!!