Multi award-winning Astra adds fifth title with Auto Express honour

Real-world appeal, value for money and top tech were just some of the key attributes praised by judges at this year's Auto Express New Car Awards when they named the Vauxhall Astra their Compact Family Car of the Year.

 It caps a fantastic run of accolades for the all-new Astra - a run which has seen it not only named European Car of the Year, but also walk away with the Family Car title at the What Car? Awards.

 Further honours, such as Autocar's Game-Changer award and a Lower Medium category win at the Fleet News Awards, have only added to the Astra's impressive, and growing, list of richly-deserved prizes.

 From an economic, but powerful, 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine that helps provide owners with excellent value for money, to its generous amount of cabin and boot space, the experts have been lining up to lavish their praise on the Astra.

 Its new Auto Express title, which was handed over in a glittering ceremony earlier this month, also recognised the Astra as a car that has leapt ahead of the competition to set the gold standard for others in its class.

 And, with the judges also praising the levels of technology included in the model's latest generation, it looks set to remain a leader in its field for some considerable time to come.

 Vauxhall's chairman and managing director, Rory Harvey, is delighted that the Astra "has excelled once again" and proven that it is head-and-shoulders above its competitors.

 He added: "It is great to see how well received the Astra has been so far. We are pleased that the Astra is being recognised for the hard work that has gone into making this model the best yet."