Today I spent some time driving a new 2008 silver Astra XE automatic while my ION is in the shop. I haven't really had the chance to open one up on the highway or hit a corner hard in the country. I am pretty impressed with the speed and especially the handling. of course, this is really a German-built Opel and the way it handles shows. The car loves to be beat on and rewards you for it. Unlike my ION, it feels like a mid-size real car. I am curious how the Astra would hold up to a year of my "sporty" driving. My '07 ION.3 does have 6 more horsepower and much more torque, I know the ION could take the Astra in a stop light race but the Astra does quite well once under way. I still think my ION gets better mileage and power but the Astra comes really close.
If you have not driven an Astra yet or are thinking of a small car, especially an import, the Astra is worth a test drive. According to Motor Trend magazine, the Astra has a quicker 0-60 time than it's compact competitors, which is contrary to what others are saying. If this is the new direction Saturn is headed in, German-engineered Saturns, it definitely is the right direction.