Opel Astra (2016-2021) Buyer’s Guide
Prefer a family hatchback to the pervasive small crossover? Here’s a closer look at the often-forgotten Opel Astra K – the 5th generation of the model. The final iteration of the Astra to be sold in Mzansi offers exceptionally strong value as a used buy.
For a model with such a storied history in Mzansi, the Opel Astra sure went out with a whimper. In fact, few took any notice when the Astra was quietly put out to pasture locally in early 2021. Hardly a fitting farewell for a badge intrinsically linked to legendary names such as the Kadett Superboss and 200t S.
Still, the Opel Astra was perhaps the victim of a perfect storm in Mzansi: the German brand’s local distribution rights changed hands 3 times in quick succession (which was, we’d imagine, incredibly disruptive), while the seemingly relentless rise of the crossover all but decimated the once-popular family-hatchback segment, before a certain global pandemic drove the final nail firmly into the coffin.

The nameplate’s local demise was a great pity since there was plenty to like about the 5th-gen Opel Astra (which was technically in its 7th iteration in Vauxhall terms – or 11th if you count the preceding Kadett series). In fact, this 5-door family hatchback was crowned Europe’s Car of the Year in 2016, before claiming the South African equivalent a short while later.
From what we understand, South African-spec Astra K units were sourced from Opel’s Gliwice factory in Poland. At launch, the Rüsselsheim-based automaker’s local division said the B15-series Astra represented “a quantum leap” for the brand, suggesting it would take the C-segment model “well into the next decade”. Ultimately, however, the axe fell locally in the opening quarter of 2021.
Opel Astra K model line-up in South Africa

Opel released the 1st official images of the Astra K in June 2015, well ahead of the model’s premiere in Frankfurt in September of that year. By April 2016, the fresh-faced family hatchback had hit the market in South Africa.
At launch, the local line-up comprised as many as 8 front-wheel-drive derivatives. Opel offered 4 distinct trim levels, 3 turbocharged petrol engines and a trio of transmissions (5-and 6-speed manual gearboxes and a 6-speed torque-converter automatic):
- Astra 1.0T Essentia 5MT (77 kW/170 Nm)
- Astra 1.0T Enjoy 5MT (77 kW/170 Nm)
- Astra 1.4T Enjoy 6MT (110 kW/230 Nm)
- Astra 1.4T Enjoy 6AT (110 kW/245 Nm)
- Astra 1.4T Sport 6MT (110 kW/230 Nm)
- Astra 1.4T Sport 6AT (110 kW/245 Nm)
- Astra 1.6T Sport 6MT (147 kW/280 Nm)
- Astra 1.6T Sport Plus 6MT (147 kW/280 Nm)
Of course, when the Astra K launched in Mzansi, the Opel brand was still run by General Motors. However, the Detroit-based automotive giant pulled out of South Africa at the end of 2017, with the Williams Hunt group appointed as Opel’s new local distributor from the start of 2018.

In July 2018, the formation of Opel South Africa – described as a “wholly owned subsidiary” of the German automaker – was announced, with Williams Hunt parent company Unitrans Automotive then assuming responsibility for distributing the brand across Southern Africa.
Early in the 2nd quarter of 2019, Opel SA launched the Astra 1.6T Sport in automatic form, further equipping this flagship derivative with an “OPC Line” styling package and offering a tilt-and-slide sunroof as an option, too. The OPC-inspired (but still subtle) exterior styling goodies included sportier bumpers, 18-inch alloy wheels and chrome exhaust tips, while the cabin gained alloy pedals.

Interestingly, Opel SA quietly rationalised the Astra range to just 4 derivatives around the same time, leaving only the Astra 1.0T Essentia 5MT, Astra 1.0T Enjoy 5MT and Astra 1.4T Enjoy 6AT positioned below the aforementioned Astra 1.6T Sport 6AT.
With the PSA Group (formerly PSA Peugeot Citroën) having since purchased Opel from General Motors, the Astra offered in overseas markets switched to PSA engines around mid-2019 – but that didn’t happen in SA.
- Astra 1.0T Essentia 5MT (77 kW/170 Nm)
- Astra 1.0T Enjoy 5MT (77 kW/170 Nm)
- Astra 1.4T Edition 6AT (110 kW/245 Nm)
- Astra 1.4T Enjoy 6AT (110 kW/245 Nm)
- Astra 1.6T Sport 6AT (147 kW/280 Nm)
Instead, a mildly refreshed variant dubbed the Astra 1.4T Edition 6AT arrived in October 2020, slotting into the middle of the now-5-strong local range, with the pre-facelift derivatives soldiering on alongside it. The Astra 1.4T Edition 6AT was set apart by a few minor details, including a tweaked front-bumper design, updated foglamps, a revised grille and chrome-effect bars extending from the famous “Blitz” logo into the LED headlamps.

At the start of 2021, Peugeot Citroën South Africa became the official distributor of Opel vehicles locally, right around the time the PSA Group merged with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to form Stellantis.
However, by March 2021, the Astra K had been discontinued, shortly before the Opel Astra L (revealed as the non-identical twin to the Peugeot 308) in July of that year was officially ruled out for Mzansi.
What are the Opel Astra K’s strengths?

Spacious, well-appointed cabin: Against convention, the Astra K shrank compared with its predecessor. But despite measuring 49 mm shorter from nose to tail (at 4 370 mm), clever packaging meant the cabin was even more spacious than before. Rear leg- and headroom were downright generous, and Opel said the load bay (which housed a space-saver spare wheel) could swallow an above-average 370 litres.
Up front, the driver enjoyed not only a comfortable, well-bolstered seat (finished in either cloth or leather, depending on the grade) and tilt-and-telescopic adjustment for the steering column, but also an intelligently laid-out dashboard with a relatively high perceived build quality.

Opel’s R4.0 IntelliLink system, run through a 7-inch touchscreen, was standard on all derivatives bar the entry-level Essentia, while buyers of Sport variants had the option of upgrading to the Navi 900 IntelliLink arrangement (an 8-inch touchscreen with built-in satnav). We should, however, point out that oddments-stowing solutions were lacking, while the piano black trim in top-spec variants was prone to scratches.
Safety features standard across the range included 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, hill-start assist and ISOfix child-seat anchors, while Enjoy derivatives gained parking sensors (fore and aft) and Sport variants featured an auto-parking system and reverse-view camera. A driver-assistance package employing the “Opel Eye” front camera system was standard on all 1.4T and 1.6T derivatives.

Light on its, um, wheels: Compared to its direct forebear, the Astra K boasted a weight reduction of up to 200 kg (despite an increase in torsional rigidity), depending on the derivative. That was a significant saving, which translated to a distinct feeling of nimbleness out on the road. Of course, this lack of heft, which was largely down to the “D2XX” underpinnings, also played a role in improving fuel consumption.
Tractable, efficient engines: Though the Astra K was never available locally with turbodiesel motors, the trio of new-generation turbopetrol engines on offer catered to a wide range of needs. The 1.0-litre 3-pot, for example, wasn’t nearly as reedy as its displacement might have suggested, with peak torque of 170 Nm on tap from 1 800- through to 4 300 rpm. Its claimed combined fuel consumption was 4.4 L/100 km.

Meanwhile, the 1.4-litre “EcoTec” 4-pot generated its maximum twisting force (230 Nm) in conjunction with the manual gearbox and 245 Nm when mated to the auto – between 2 000- and 4 000 rpm, with claimed fuel consumption listed as 5.1- and 5.5 L/100 km, respectively.
Predictably, the 1.6-litre mill employed by the flagship derivatives was the least efficient, though its listed combined figure of 6.1 L/100 km (regardless of the chosen transmission) was nonetheless impressive. Moreover, this forced-induction unit transformed the Astra into something of a “warm hatch”, churning out 147 kW and 280 Nm, with the latter sustained from 1 650- all the way through to 5 000 rpm.
What are the Opel Astra K’s weaknesses?

Basic rear suspension design: While most derivatives in the Volkswagen Golf 7 and 3rd-gen Ford Focus line-ups employed sophisticated multi-link rear suspensions, the 5th-gen Opel Astra instead made do with a comparatively basic (and, it must be said, cheaper to produce) torsion-beam setup at the rear.
Still, we should point out that the Astra, which gained interior room thanks to the torsion-beam axle’s inherent space-saving qualities, wasn’t too far behind its 2 main rivals in the ride-and-handling stakes. In addition, the 1.6T variants gained a Watt’s linkage at the rear, ostensibly improving comfort and stability.

No OPC hot hatch: Remember the 3-door OPC hot hatch (and its peak power output of 206 kW) that topped the preceding Astra line-up? Well, we didn’t know it at the time, but that model would ultimately serve as the Astra OPC’s swansong. Yes, the Rüsselsheim-based marque unfortunately opted not to develop a fire-breathing OPC version of the Astra K.
That meant the Astra had no answer to the likes of the Volkswagen Golf 7 GTI (and R) and the Ford Focus ST (and RS) of the era. Instead, local buyers had to settle for the exceedingly understated OPC Line version of the Astra 1.6T Sport, which unfortunately didn’t benefit from any powertrain upgrades.

Miscellaneous potential issues: So, what should you look out for when shopping for a used Opel Astra K? Well, noisy front suspension is a common complaint, with the lower suspension arms, top mounts and drop links the most likely culprits. Listen carefully for any unusual sounds when traversing bumps during your test drive.
We’ve also heard of malfunctioning taillamps. Though an official recall was never issued (Opel seemingly instead acted only when a customer complained), this was a known issue worldwide linked to a defective earth pin. In addition, some early examples suffered from infotainment-screen glitches.

Finally, keep in mind all 3 petrol engines available locally used timing chains – supposedly rated to last the lifetime of the car – rather than belts. Though the turbodiesel motor available overseas sometimes suffered from premature chain-tensioner wear, we found no evidence of such issues with the petrol mills.
How much is a used Opel Astra K in South Africa?

At launch in 2016, the Opel Astra shipped standard with a 5-year/120 000 km warranty and a 5-year/90 000 km service plan. However, at some point, the warranty period was downgraded to 3 years, though the distance parameter remained 120 000 km. Interestingly, the lightly facelifted Astra 1.4T Edition 6AT upgraded to a 5-year/150 000 km warranty and a service plan of the same length.
At the time of writing, we found just 23 Opel Astra K listings on Cars.co.za, so the choice was severely limited. The 1.0T was the most common powertrain, accounting for 52% of listed units, followed by the 1.4T (39%) and finally the seldom-spotted 1.6T (9%). Just 16% featured an automatic transmission, while the highest indicated mileage we saw was 159 000 km.

The most prevalent model year was 2017 (35%), while we fascinatingly found no examples from 2021. The Enjoy grade accounted for more than 60% of listed units, followed by the base Essentia (30%). We discovered only 2 Sport-badged examples and not a single Edition derivative.
- Below R150 000: While it’s certainly possible to pick up an Astra K for under R150 000, we found only 2 listings in this space at the time of writing. Tread carefully here, as the overall condition is likely to be below average.
- From R150 000 to R200 000: Almost 70% of Astra K listings were positioned in this relatively narrow price bracket, with the 1.0T unsurprisingly the most common powertrain here. Most models in this space showed under 100 000 km on their respective odometers.
- R200 000 and up: Just 5 units were on the market for more than R200 000 apiece, though all 3 engines were represented. The most expensive example we unearthed was interestingly from the opening model year: a 2016 Astra 1.6T Sport with just 37 000 km on the clock and priced at R239 995.
Which Opel Astra K derivative should I buy?

So, which Opel Astra K variant should be at the top of your shopping list? Well, though the 1.0T motor was by no means overwhelmed by the Astra’s bulk, we’d still point to the 1.4T as the pick of the powertrains – for the typical family hatchback buyer, at least.
As a reminder, this relatively refined engine was offered with the choice of a 6-speed manual gearbox or a torque-converter automatic transmission with the same number of cogs, though shoppers would be limited to the latter should they opt for a later model year.

Looking specifically at the initial 8-strong range, we’d argue the 1.4T Sport represented the strongest value, upgrading from the 1.4T Enjoy’s 17-inch alloys to 18-inch items and also scoring features such as a heated steering wheel, climate control, power-folding side mirrors and keyless entry (with the auto-equipped version further gaining leather upholstery and heated seats, front and rear).
However, keep in mind that Sport derivatives are few and far between on the used market, so – unless you’re prepared to exercise patience and search high and low – you may have to settle for an Enjoy-badged example. It’s a similar case with the 1.6T mill, which is certainly tempting but also in short supply.
Is the Opel Astra K a smart used purchase?

During its circa-5-year stint on the local market, the Opel Astra K faced several big-name competitors, with the Volkswagen Golf 7 and 3rd-gen Ford Focus chief among them. There was also the Mazda3 (both the 3rd and 4th generations), along with the 2nd-gen Toyota Auris and the E210-series Toyota Corolla hatchback that succeeded it.
The T9-series Peugeot 308 flew under the radar as an under-appreciated alternative, while the BFB-series Renault Megane represented another distinctly Gallic option. Interestingly, Opel SA also suggested the Astra was a rival to premium models such as the 3rd-gen Audi A3 Sportback and F20 BMW 1 Series.

Still, as we pointed out in our 2016 comparative review, the Opel Astra K was so compelling a package that it not just stood toe to toe with the segment-benchmark Golf 7, but actually surpassed its more soberly specified Wolfsburg rival. And that was despite a small price premium.
However, where these 2 German family hatchbacks differ markedly is in the residual-value department. In short, the Astra K has not held its value nearly as well as the 7th-gen Golf, which is great news if you’re hunting for a family-hatchback bargain (though obviously less so if you plan on selling it again soon).

While today’s new-vehicle market is largely devoid of C-segment hatchbacks (and completely saturated with small crossovers), there’s still something to be said for a sophisticated, well-equipped family hatch. The Opel Astra K is exactly that – and currently offers terrific value on the used market to boot.
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