Wow, I'm impressed. I've never seen such a big fan of Opel in my life! I have nothing against them, I try to be impartial, badge-wise. I just don't think the Astra is as good a car as the Golf. I don't care what Clarkson or any other reviews say (and please find me one - I don't believe you). I don't care whether it's a better seller or not - that was never the gauge of a better car.

The GM 1.9CDTI might make 150bhp, but that's so easy with forced induction. You just raise the boost more. Who cares. Plus, we don't get this 140bhp 1.8L 16v engine. The old 1.8L was widely praised as a good engine, but no longer - it is now outclassed, and not least because the Astra's added weight severely blunts its performance. The ancient 4-speed auto doesn't help - get with the times, the Golf V has a 6-speed auto and, not only that, the 6-speed dual-clutch DSG.

Furthermore, I'm not a suspension geometry Nazi, but a good independent rear suspension outclasses an equivalent torsion beam or otherwise non-independent rear suspension, especially on uneven roads. It's one of the reasons why the new Golf and the new Ford Focus have such great handling.

As for the interior, yes, the new Astra does feel much better built than the old one. They would have to try hard to make it worse, now that things have advanced. We owned a TS Astra for a while, it was pleasant for its time, but the interior just doesn't cut it. I have sat in the newest Astra several times, because, yes, at one point I did think it was the best choice, and having some semblance of brand loyalty, but the materials didn't cut it, the fitting didn't feel reassuring (the armrest-stuck-to-driver's-seat-side couldn't even support me, at 57kg, leaning moderately on it) and the silver plastic around the centre console creaked when pressed. They even deleted the little wheels on the air con vents that control how much air can come out. Scrooges.

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But, leaving that, let's get back to the Antara. I doubt it's on the same platform - I thought the Captiva was even able to seat seven in some versions.

If they want to compete with the Japanese and Koreans, they had better make it a good price. That seems to be partially what hampers the Astra here. This isn't a segment where "European" design or whatever can really make such a difference, for all the brand-cachet that it will have wearing Holden or Opel badges; and much less so when the incumbent monarchs are the Japanese - the RAV-4, CRV, X-Trail and Forester.

It depends what you care about when you make this comparison!

The 1er isn't very practical, mainly because it's RWD, but the fact that it's RWD also helps it in the fact it's the best handling car in it's car, and the most fun to drive! Also the 1er is a much more expensive car when compared to the Astra!

I 'm pretty sure that i read somewhere that Anatara and Captiva are basically the same cars underneath.

After a little search with google...voila!

The Captiva is a compact SUV designed and built by GM's Daewoo subsidiary in Korea specifically for European markets — it won't be sold in the U.S. It offers up to seven seats, can be front- or four-wheel drive, and is powered by either a 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine or a new 2-liter direct-injection diesel. The 150-hp diesel is made in Korea but was designed and developed in Italy by VM Motori — a company owned by Roger Penske. The Captiva shares its Theta platform with a posher five-seat version sold in Europe as the Opel Antara and a yet-to-be-seen variant destined for the U.S. which will be the next Saturn Vue.

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Ok then, so maybe it is the same platform.