The year the Saturn Astra was launched in Canada, it came in just behind the Audi R8 as a runner up in the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC)’s Canadian Car of the Year awards. The R8’s not a bad machine to lose to, especially if you’re a cheap and cheerful little hatch.
In fact, those without the means to drop six-digits on Audi’s mid-engine supercar could, sort of, consider the Saturn Astra the 2008 Canadian Car of the Year. Sort of.
With the intention of answering thousands of shoppers screaming for European product in Canadian showrooms, GM started re-badging the Opel Astra with a Saturn badge and shipping units over from across the pond. Astra was a 3 or 5-door hatchback with four-cylinder power and front-wheel drive. It largely hit the mark where ride quality, handling, interior execution and styling were concerned—and it started becoming popular in numerous circles.
Journalists and owners alike were starting to fall in love. Thing is, a recession, bankruptcy protection and a storm of other economic nastiness fell upon the automaker, and the subsequent decision to give the Saturn brand its pink slip killed the Astra off after just two model years.
That, folks, means that the 2008 and 2009 Saturn Astra have effectively moved into the Canadian used car marketplace. This week, it’ll take a spot under Auto123’s used-car microscope.
In the powertrain department, Astra came just one way: with a 1.8 litre, four-cylinder ECOTEC engine. A four-speed automatic or the recommended five-speed manual was available, and all units were front-wheel drive. The manual gearbox offers the most opportunity for drivers to maximize the Astra’s 138 horsepower, while the automatic offered a special ‘winter’ drive mode with reduced throttle response and second-gear starts for reduced wheelspin.
Shoppers should note that Astra was sold in a basic ‘XE’ trim level, and a more loaded ‘XR’ model, too. Features included a driver computer, sunroof, air conditioning, cruise control, tilt and telescopic steering, power accessories, tire pressure monitoring, alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an alarm system, heated mirrors, and automatic lights.
In fact, those without the means to drop six-digits on Audi’s mid-engine supercar could, sort of, consider the Saturn Astra the 2008 Canadian Car of the Year. Sort of.
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| 2008 Saturn Astra (Photo: General Motors) |
With the intention of answering thousands of shoppers screaming for European product in Canadian showrooms, GM started re-badging the Opel Astra with a Saturn badge and shipping units over from across the pond. Astra was a 3 or 5-door hatchback with four-cylinder power and front-wheel drive. It largely hit the mark where ride quality, handling, interior execution and styling were concerned—and it started becoming popular in numerous circles.
Journalists and owners alike were starting to fall in love. Thing is, a recession, bankruptcy protection and a storm of other economic nastiness fell upon the automaker, and the subsequent decision to give the Saturn brand its pink slip killed the Astra off after just two model years.
That, folks, means that the 2008 and 2009 Saturn Astra have effectively moved into the Canadian used car marketplace. This week, it’ll take a spot under Auto123’s used-car microscope.
In the powertrain department, Astra came just one way: with a 1.8 litre, four-cylinder ECOTEC engine. A four-speed automatic or the recommended five-speed manual was available, and all units were front-wheel drive. The manual gearbox offers the most opportunity for drivers to maximize the Astra’s 138 horsepower, while the automatic offered a special ‘winter’ drive mode with reduced throttle response and second-gear starts for reduced wheelspin.
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| 2008 Saturn Astra (Photo: General Motors) |
Shoppers should note that Astra was sold in a basic ‘XE’ trim level, and a more loaded ‘XR’ model, too. Features included a driver computer, sunroof, air conditioning, cruise control, tilt and telescopic steering, power accessories, tire pressure monitoring, alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an alarm system, heated mirrors, and automatic lights.