Opel Astra (hatchback / sedan / Sports Tourer) · J (Astra IV)
Generation 4 2009–2015
Bigger, heavier and much better built than the H, with a quiet cabin. The 1.4 Turbo (140) is the sensible petrol; the 1.7 CDTI is durable, the 2.0 CDTI strong but with DPF/EGR upkeep; the late 1.6 CDTI 'Whisper' is excellent. Watt's-link rear suspension gives a good ride. Rust is not an issue.
Photo: OSX · Public domain
Recognition
How to tell it apart
- •Blade crease on the flanks, wraparound rear lights; facelift adds a chrome grille bar and new bumpers
- •GTC 3-door coupé, Sports Tourer estate and a sedan; OPC has a deep front and centre exhausts
2012 facelift
- New front and rear bumpers, chrome grille, revised interior with IntelliLink
- 1.6 SIDI Turbo 170, 2.0 CDTI BiTurbo 195, 1.6 CDTI 110/136 (2014) replaced 1.7 CDTI
- Sedan (2012) and OPC 280 (2012)
Engines
Engines
1.4 (A14XER) · 100 hp
2009–2015
Petrol · Manual · FWD
Underpowered for the heavy J; simple and LPG-friendly.
1.4 Turbo · 140 hp
2009–2015
Petrol · Manual / Automatic · FWD
The sensible J petrol (120 hp variant too): lively, economical; timing chain fine, PCV and thermostat with age. Automatic available.
1.6 (A16XER) · 115 hp
2009–2015
Petrol · Manual / Automatic · FWD
Naturally aspirated 1.6; timing belt discipline; LPG-friendly.
1.6 Turbo · 180 hp
2009–2015
Petrol · Manual / Automatic · FWD
Quick; GTC favourite; turbo and PCV with age.
1.6 SIDI Turbo · 170 hp
2013–2015
Petrol · Manual / Automatic · FWD
Direct-injection turbo (200 hp variant too); modern and quick.
1.3 CDTI · 95 hp
2009–2015
Diesel · Manual · FWD
Frugal, slow; chain and turbo with age.
1.7 CDTI · 110 hp
2009–2014
Diesel · Manual · FWD
Durable Isuzu diesel (110/125/130 hp); DPF and EGR need long runs.
1.6 CDTI · 136 hp
2014–2015
Diesel · Manual · FWD
GM's refined 1.6 diesel (110 hp variant too): quiet, frugal, good so far.
2.0 CDTI · 160 hp
2009–2015
Diesel · Manual / Automatic · FWD
Strong (130/160/165 hp variants, 195 BiTurbo): DPF, EGR, swirl flaps and injectors need attention; automatic available.
OPC 2.0 Turbo · 280 hp
2012–2015
Petrol · Manual · FWD
280 hp GTC with HiPerStrut, LSD and FlexRide; heavy but capable.
| Engine | For sale now | Years | Gearbox · drive | Sought after | Robust | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1.4 (A14XER) · 100 hp Petrol · 1.4 100 · A14XER | 118 | 2009–2015 | Manual FWD | Underpowered for the heavy J; simple and LPG-friendly. | ||
1.4 Turbo · 140 hp Petrol · 1.4 Turbo 140 · A14NET | 494 | 2009–2015 | Manual / Automatic FWD | The sensible J petrol (120 hp variant too): lively, economical; timing chain fine, PCV and thermostat with age. Automatic available. | ||
1.6 (A16XER) · 115 hp Petrol · 1.6 115 · A16XER | 258 | 2009–2015 | Manual / Automatic FWD | Naturally aspirated 1.6; timing belt discipline; LPG-friendly. | ||
1.6 Turbo · 180 hp Petrol · 1.6 Turbo 180 · A16LET | 45 | 2009–2015 | Manual / Automatic FWD | Quick; GTC favourite; turbo and PCV with age. | ||
1.6 SIDI Turbo · 170 hp Petrol · 1.6 SIDI 170 · A16XHT | 17 | 2013–2015 | Manual / Automatic FWD | Direct-injection turbo (200 hp variant too); modern and quick. | ||
1.3 CDTI · 95 hp Diesel · 1.3 CDTI · A13DTE (Fiat) | 13 | 2009–2015 | Manual FWD | Frugal, slow; chain and turbo with age. | ||
1.7 CDTI · 110 hp Diesel · 1.7 CDTI 110/125/130 · A17DTJ / A17DTR (Isuzu) | 300 | 2009–2014 | Manual FWD | Durable Isuzu diesel (110/125/130 hp); DPF and EGR need long runs. | ||
1.6 CDTI · 136 hp Diesel · 1.6 CDTI 'Whisper' · B16DTH | 93 | 2014–2015 | Manual FWD | GM's refined 1.6 diesel (110 hp variant too): quiet, frugal, good so far. | ||
2.0 CDTI · 160 hp Diesel · 2.0 CDTI 160/165 · A20DTH | 120 | 2009–2015 | Manual / Automatic FWD | Strong (130/160/165 hp variants, 195 BiTurbo): DPF, EGR, swirl flaps and injectors need attention; automatic available. | ||
OPC 2.0 Turbo · 280 hp Petrol · Astra OPC · A20NFT | 7 | 2012–2015 | Manual FWD | 280 hp GTC with HiPerStrut, LSD and FlexRide; heavy but capable. |
Versions
What the badges mean
Essentia / Enjoy
commonbase
2009–2015
Basic and mid trims.
Cosmo / Sport / Innovation
uncommonequipment line
2009–2015
Higher trims: climate, alloys, AFL+ xenon on Cosmo, sport seats.
OPC
rareperformance model
2012–2015
280 hp GTC with HiPerStrut, LSD, FlexRide, Recaros.
Watch out: OPC Line is styling only.
Options
Options that matter
uncommon
AFL+ bi-xenon
Cosmo option; excellent adaptive lights.
rare
FlexRide adaptive chassis
Rare adaptive dampers.
uncommon
AGR ergonomic seats
Opel's excellent certified seats; a real comfort feature.
uncommon
Leather upholstery
Cosmo option.
uncommon
Navi 900 / IntelliLink
Factory navigation.
common
Heated seats / heated wheel
Valued.
uncommon
Rear-view camera
Useful.
rare
Panoramic roof / windscreen (GTC)
Rare.
rare
FlexFloor / FlexFix bike carrier
Clever Opel practicality options.
uncommon
LPG installation (aftermarket)
Common on 1.4/1.6 petrols.
common
Tow bar
Common on Sports Tourer.
Before you buy
What to know
Strengths
- +Solid build, quiet cabin, good ride
- +1.4 Turbo and 1.7/1.6 CDTI are durable
- +Cheap parts, rust-free
Expensive when they fail
DPFTiming belt failure
Polish market
Deep market at 15,000–30,000 PLN; Cosmo cars with AFL and AGR seats are the ones to look for.
Known weak points
- moderate2.0 CDTI DPF, EGR, swirl flapsEmissions system and intake upkeep; injectors on high-milers.Check: Ask about DPF/EGR/swirl flap work.
- seriousTiming belt (1.6 XER)Belt/tensioner/water pump every 60,000 km.Check: Ask for the last timing belt invoice.
- note1.4/1.6 Turbo PCV and thermostatPCV membrane and thermostat failures; oil leaks from the cam cover.Check: Look for oil leaks and coolant temperature behaviour.
- noteElectric parking brake and electricsParking brake modules and IntelliLink faults.Check: Test the parking brake and infotainment.
- moderateFleet mileageMany 1.7 CDTI Sports Tourers were fleet cars.Check: Ask for VIN and history.
From the market
Real cars on sale right now
From the market
Engines actually on sale
Grouped from 1541 live listings: what people are selling, at what price and mileage.
| Engine | Share | Typical price | Median mileage | Gearbox · drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1.4 Petrol · 140 hp 1.4 Turbo | 32% | 20 900 PLN | 180 000 km | Manual / Automatic · FWD / AWD |
1.7 Diesel · 110 hp 1.7 CDTI | 13% | 13 900 PLN | 245 000 km | Manual · FWD / RWD |
1.6 Petrol · 115 hp 1.6 | 9% | 22 000 PLN | 157 346 km | Manual / Automatic · FWD |
1.4 Petrol · 120 hp 1.4 Turbo | 7% | 20 900 PLN | 167 000 km | Manual / Automatic · FWD |
1.4 Petrol · 100 hp 1.4 Active | 7% | 16 900 PLN | 180 000 km | Manual / Automatic · FWD |
1.7 Diesel · 125 hp 1.7 CDTI Cosmo | 6% | 14 999 PLN | 239 000 km | Manual · FWD |
2.0 Diesel · 160 hp 2.0 CDTI Cosmo | 4% | 15 900 PLN | 234 000 km | Manual / Automatic · FWD |
2.0 Diesel · 165 hp 2.0 CDTI Sport | 4% | 19 999 PLN | 240 000 km | Manual / Automatic · FWD |
From the market
Price by model year
Typical price and mileage for each model year on sale.
From the market
Most common versions
- Turbo54
- Cosmo33
- Turbo Active32
- T Sport27
- T Cosmo27
- Turbo Cosmo24
- Enjoy21
- Sport20
From the market
Equipment seen most often
Radio 93%Electric front windows 93%ABS 90%Traction control 86%ESP stability control 86%Driver airbag 86%Passenger airbag 86%Front side airbags 86%Heated door mirrors 83%Front curtain airbags 79%Cruise control 79%Isofix child seat anchors 72%Leather steering wheel 72%Steering wheel audio controls 72%
Our picks
Versions worth looking for
1.4 Turbo 140 Cosmo, private owner
The best everyday Astra J.
1.6 CDTI 136 (2014–2015) Sports Tourer
The refined, frugal diesel.