We say It’s practical, comes with a strong line-up of engines – particularly the diesels – and it’s reasonably good to drive. A good solid all rounderPerformance The engine range is comprised of strong diesel units and a splattering of petrol options. The 2.0-litre 197bhp petrol unit is the fastest in the range and clears 60 mph in 7.7seconds with a top speed of 143mph. Overall, diesel engines are the better choice for their blend of performance and economy.Emissions Vauxhall has given a number of engines in the range its ecoFLEX treatment, tweaking engines to deliver lower CO2 emissions and improved fuel economy figures. The engine that reaps the most reward from these changes is the 1.7-litre CDTi 108bhp diesel unit that returns 62mpg and emits 119g/km in CO2 emissions – excellent for a car of its size.Driving The Astra estate is based on the Astra, obviously, and in terms of handling there’s not too much difference between the two bodystyles. That’s a ringing endorsement for the estate because you’d normally expect a lot more bodyroll and an unsettled ride but it controls both of those factors.Feel The Astra estate is a refined cruiser. It’s smooth, comfortable and settled. There’s not much wind or road noise, either.Space The Astra estate has one of the smallest boots in the segment at just 350-litres however with the rear seats folded flat that increases to a massive 1,550-litres which is one of the biggest in the segment, just at a cost.Equipment Electric front windows, remote central locking and electronic power steering at entry-level but no CD player.Price The Vauxhall Astra estate is competitively priced with entry-level models starting from less than £14,000 and rising to around £23,500. Running costs are also excellent on diesel units.Quality A noticeable step up from previous Astra models, the Mark 5's interior is durable and pleasant. Unfortunately the high-quality materials are poorly laid out and the dials, controls and knobs dotted around the cabin are in awkward positions.Safety Front and side airbags and anti-lock brakes are standard.Pros The Vauxhall Astra estate is good to drive and draws heavily on the Astra hatchback in terms of handling. It comes with a wide range of excellent engines and the diesels are genuinely excellent. They’re economical and perky which is exactly what you wantCons The Vauxhall Astra estate falls down and loses ground on its competitors in terms of practicality and cabin layout. The dashboard is complicated and awkward while the rear load space is poor – there are better options on the market.Alternatives Ford Focus Estate, Skoda Octavia Estate