WHAT CAR AWARDS - The best family car under £18,000 goes to the multi award winning Astra.

After an extremely successful first year on the market, 2017 has started strongly for the Vauxhall Astra, which has again been recognised in the Family Car category at the WhatCar? Car of the Year Awards. The latest win in the hotly-contested category helps to solidify the new Astra as one of the top models on the market.

The award-winning Astra picked up the award in the highly-competitive Best Family Car for less than £18,000 category. Honoured for the second year running, the Astra was commended for its running costs, value-for-money and infotainment. 

With strong competition in this category, the Astra has proven itself to be the best car for not only family duties, but the daily commute and business use too.

“This is arguably the toughest class of all,” said Steve Huntingford, WhatCar? Editor. “Competition is so fierce that even a single weakness is usually enough to rule a car out of the running. This is the second year running that the Astra has claimed this price point and this year we’re recommending a new 109bhp 1.6-litre diesel. For a modest premium over the entry-level petrol, you’ll be getting one of the best performers yet in our real-world True MPG tests.”

“The Astra isn’t just about incredible value-for-money, though; it’s one of the best cars in the class on merit. It’s good to drive, smart inside and more practical than many of its peers, with lots of rear knee room and a whopping boot. We rate it as the best family car you can buy today, thanks to its blend of modern technology, excellent value for money and superb overall ownership experience.”

“The Astra is the best family car on the market and we are delighted to receive this recognition from What Car?” said Rory Harvey, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director. “Last year was quite a year for the Astra; it won a host of top awards as well as topping its segment in the fourth quarter and the second half of the year.”

Rounding off last year in style, Vauxhall’s multi award-winning Astra celebrated a sales hat-trick by being number one in its segment in each of the last three months of 2016. According to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the Astra cruised to victory with 15,948 sold in the fourth quarter and a total of 32,313 sold between July and December 2016, making it the best-selling car in its segment in the second half of the year, too.

This sales momentum capped a superb year for Vauxhall’s family hatchback, having built up an impressive list of accolades including 2016 European Car of Year, a game-changer award from Autocar and category wins at the Auto Express, What Car? and Fleet News awards