Opel Astra 2009–2012 car dimensions: 4419 mm long, 1814 mm wide and 1510 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,373 kg. Braked towing is 1,500 kg.
The cabin offers air conditioning as standard on most grades with electronic climate control available higher up. Cruise control and front/rear parking sensors appear on mid and upper trims. A colour touchscreen comes with optional navigation systems on better-equipped versions. No advanced driver aids like automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning or lane keep assist feature on this generation. Reverse camera is optional with some packs.
Boot space measures 370 litres with seats up and expands to 1235 litres when folded. The load floor is practical for a compact hatch with a wide aperture.
Towing capacity reaches around 1500 kg braked and 700 kg unbraked depending on engine. Payload sits near 570 kg. Sports suspension appears on SRi grades for firmer handling but no heavy-duty cooling options are noted for work use.
The cabin feels solid and well put together with good quality materials and driver-focused ergonomics. Front seats offer solid support and multiple adjustments including height, tilt and lumbar on higher grades or packs, with AGR-certified ergonomic sports seats available for longer trips. Space suits five adults comfortably with a 60/40 split rear bench. Optional panoramic glass roof floods the interior with light. Heated front seats and steering wheel feature on winter packs or upper trims for cold weather comfort.
Euro NCAP 5-star rating (2009) with 95% adult occupant protection
Standard six airbags, ESP-plus, ABS with EBD and active-safety front head restraints
Service intervals typically 15,000-30,000 km or 12 months depending on fixed or flexible schedule
Fuel tank capacity 56 litres
ecoFLEX diesels achieve combined figures as low as around 4.1 l/100 km
Fuel economy varies across the range of petrol and diesel engines. ecoFLEX diesels like the 1.3 CDTi deliver strong efficiency with combined consumption figures around 4.1-4.5 l/100 km and low CO2, while petrol units such as the 1.4 and 1.6 sit higher depending on driving style and transmission. A 56-litre tank supports decent range on longer runs.
Servicing follows a flexible or fixed schedule of up to 30,000 km or 12-24 months for oil changes on LongLife systems, with air and cabin filters at 30,000-60,000 km intervals. Brake fluid needs replacement every two years. Regular maintenance keeps the car reliable for everyday use.
Safety is a strong point with a full five-star Euro NCAP result from 2009 testing. Standard kit includes dual front, side and curtain airbags, dual pretensioners, load limiters, ESP-plus, traction control and active head restraints that reverse after activation. Pedal release and high-strength body structure add further protection.
Living with the Astra means straightforward ownership thanks to the solid build and available FlexRide chassis option for adjustable damping. Keep to the service schedule and the car stays practical for family duties with its flexible load space expanding beyond 1,200 litres when the rear seats fold.
Length 4419 mm, Width 1814 mm, Height 1510 mm, Wheelbase 2685 mm (Astra 2009–2012)
Sources: manufacturer data, Opel Astra J owner's manual MY2011.