Sector: Lower Medium Price: £15,295–£22,815 Fuel: 45.6–91.1mpg CO2: 82–146g/km

Few cars can claim to be quite the same level of fleet stalwart as the Vauxhall Astra. In the UK, its biggest European market, six previous generations have built a reputation for hard-working durability, functionality and value for money – factors which have steered it towards a 70% fleet mix. You know what you’re going to get.

Vauxhall isn’t tipping that apple cart, but does want to bolster its second-biggest-seller’s user-chooser appeal. Despite its popularity as a business tool, the Astra lags behind in ‘true fleet’ sales compared to the rest of the range. With twice the volume opportunity of the Corsa, and 50% more than the Insignia, you can understand the business case.

So the simplified range recognises two distinct user groups; Design and Tech Line for job-need customers, with the usual long-distance necessities and a price reduction over the old car, while the big growth opportunities come from company car-focused SRi and Elite trims. Vauxhall reckons these could double their share of UK sales, to 50% of the total, and both feature RV-friendly Nav versions and a sizeable P11d reduction of £2,000 to tempt end-users. Its claimed pricing was reverse-engineered from a class-leading whole-life cost position.

Fuel efficiency helps, of course, and the Astra’s pursuit of frugality has snowballed into a package of benefits for drivers and operators. The bodyshell is lower and smaller than before, aerodynamically optimised to avoid under-body panelling and underpinned by a 20% lighter structure. Chassis components, drivetrains and even the seats have shed weight, in turn allowing a smaller, more common, and thus cheaper tyre and brake setup to be used.

Coupled with re-tuned steering and suspension, that weight reduction is obvious from behind the wheel. It’s made the Astra quicker off the mark, noticeably more agile, and a lot more fun to drive. Improvements to sound deadening mean the 1.6-litre ‘Whisper Diesel’ now lives up to its name, and its aerodynamic efficiency cuts wind noise too. However, this does amplify road roar on large wheels.

The cabin feels like the new Corsa’s, and concave front seatbacks and a sculpted rear bench mean back-seat passengers get 35mm more legroom than before. All UK cars get at least a seven-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Nav and Tech Line trims move up to eight-inches, and Vauxhall has relocated many of the physical buttons to the screen. A handful of climate control and vehicle functions are grouped lower down the dashboard. It’s much easier to use.

Technologically, though, the Astra’s trump card is OnStar. This bundles a sort of directory enquiries-style destination download for the navigation with a suite of telematics functions, including emergency services calling, vehicle condition, diagnostic and location services, smartphone control and a WiFi hotspot. All valid for business users, especially as it can integrate with a fleet’s back office system.

The Astra's real advantages arrive with the full engine range early next year. An ecoFLEX version of the 110bhp 1.6-litre diesel, which returns up to 91.1mpg, is expected to account for most fleet orders and the larger wheels of SRi and Elite models don’t affect its BiK banding. There’s also a 96g/km 1.0-litre petrol turbo with diesel-challenging BiK coming in early 2016, but only with an automated manual gearbox.

The Astra’s position as a staple part of the UK’s fleet diet speaks volumes about its functionality and value for money. With a focus on technology, design and meeting rivals’ high benchmarks for driver enjoyment, it’s well-equipped to take on the challenging user-chooser sector too.

Verdict:

Big steps forward technologically, aesthetically and dynamically for the Astra, which should pay dividends for Vauxhall. OnStar offers tangible benefits for drivers, and running costs look competitive with the forthcoming ecoFLEX version. But, with growing company car demand for crossovers, perhaps it’s time for a larger Mokka to grow­­­Vauxhall’s true fleet share?