Opel Astra 1998–2004 car dimensions: 4288 mm long, 1709 mm wide and 1465 mm high. Braked towing is 1,200 kg.
The cabin has standard ABS, front and side airbags, electric front windows, power steering and remote central locking. Manual air conditioning is standard on Njoy and Sport grades and optional otherwise. Automatic climate control and cruise control are standard on Elegance. Rear parking sensors are optional on some grades. No touchscreen, camera or electronic driver aids like emergency braking appear.
Boot holds 480 litres with seats up and expands to 1500 litres with the split rear bench folded.
Braked towing capacity reaches 1200 kg on common engines with unbraked around 625 kg. Payload is about 550 kg. Sport grade adds lowered reinforced suspension for firmer handling under load.
The cabin has a curved black dashboard with large clear dials and an LCD multi-info display. Front bucket seats offer mild bolsters for support and driver height adjustment. Higher grades add leather trim and heated front seats. Air conditioning is widely available, with automatic climate control on better trims. The estate provides a practical load area with 60/40 split-folding rear seats.
Petrol and diesel engines from 1.2 to 2.2 litres.
Service every 15 000 km or 1 year (30 000 km from 2001).
Euro NCAP 4 stars (1999).
Standard dual front and side airbags plus ABS.
Fuel options cover petrol and diesel units. Combined consumption sits in the mid-range for the class on most engines. The tank holds enough for solid range on longer trips.
Oil and filter changes come every 15 000 km or yearly on early cars, stretching to 30 000 km later. Timing belt service is required on most engines. Parts stay widely available and work is straightforward at independent workshops.
The car scored 4 Euro NCAP stars in 1999. Dual front airbags, front side airbags and ABS are standard across European models. Seat-belt pretensioners and a rigid body structure add further protection.
A fully galvanised body carries a 12-year rust warranty. Regular underbody checks help keep older examples sound. Overall running costs remain low when basic maintenance is kept up.
Length 4288 mm, Width 1709 mm, Height 1465 mm, Wheelbase 2611 mm (Astra 1998–2004)
Sources: manufacturer data, Adam Opel AG / GM Media fact sheet “Opel Astra G 1998”, Opel Nederland price list, August 1998, Ground clearance, fuel-tank capacity, cargo volume, turning circle and a single engine’s displacement, power.