Saturn Prices All-New Astra Hatchback

Instead of hearing about pricing for the new Astra two- and four-door hatchbacks through the standard channels, we were forwarded a brochure from Saturn’s regular old website, Saturn.com. On the last page of the brochure is a breakdown of pricing for the three available models, which start at $15,995 and top out at $19,820, including destination charges.

However, the base XE model’s low tag of $15,995 doesn’t include air conditioning, which is a $960 option, bringing the total to $16,955. We’re a bit dismayed car companies are still trying this tactic to keep advertised prices low, when in reality buyers won’t be able to find said $15,995 Astra on a dealer lot.

The low-end price still doesn’t compete with the Dodge Caliber or Mazda3, but at the top level it’s almost identically priced to the competition. For the full list of prices and options, read below. The new Astras will go on sale this fall. Don’t forget to tell us if you think the price is right.

Related
More Saturn Astra News (KickingTires)

Comments

This seems awfulyl expensive. To get a basic XE 5-door with automatic and A/C (which will probably be the most mainstream and popular package) will be a cost of $18,300. That's a lot of money considering that a comparably equipped Mazda 3 or Focus are about $14k or so. Saturn can rely on their stellar customer service reputation to sell the cars, but they better be reliable at that cost.

Aside from people living in Alaska, who owns a car without A/C nowadays?

[Amuro Ray]

A bit overpriced...YES. It's supposed to complete with the Fit, Versa, Yaris, Mazda3, Focus, and the starting price of these cars (MSRP) are around $12000. Now the Astra has marched onto the Civic, Corolla, Sentra, etc territory. Price wise...not a smart one (since people have this conception that H/B are SMALL cars - in the class of subcompact - even though that may NOT be the case. Sentra, Corolla, Civics, etc. are COMPACT size...so 1 class bigger).

I wonder if the Astra is price this way to avoid competition with the Aveo?

[Wraith]

These prices are within spitting distance of the Subaru Impreza (non-turbo), when similarly equipped, despite the Subaru having a bigger engine and AWD standard. And if these are no-haggle Saturn prices (I haven't shopped Saturn, so correct me if I'm wrong), then the Impreza might even be cheaper. And there are a number of FWD cars that are cheaper than that, like the new Rabbit or a well-optioned Civic, with similar or better features.

I guess for those who can live without the options, it is fairly well equipped. Four wheel ABS disc brakes, side and side curtain airbags, telescoping wheel, TPMS, active front head restraints, On Star w/ a year of service. Stability control optional on 5-door trims (still a lot of small cars that don't offer stability control at all).

If they brought down the price of the automatic ($1325) and made stability control standard, to me, that would make the price a bit more palatable.

[Kyle C]

Wait what Amuro Ray?

Yaris, Fit,and Versa, In the same class as Mazda3 and the Caliber?

I think Not. If anything the Matrix, And Focus are more in line with the Mazda3 and the Caliber.

Yaris, Fit,and Versa are compact (if even that). I'd consider Mazda3, Caliber, Focus, and Matrix.

[ziggy]

It's really hard to determine where this car fits. It is larger than the Fit and Yaris yet smaller than the Versa. It is actually very close in size to the Matrix and Caliber. I'm surprised that the Versa is larger and has more cargo volume. No matter where it fit, the price is a little high. If you're looking for cargo volume, reliability and price - it would be better to go with the Versa or maybe a PT Cruiser.

[ziggy]

Just to add fuel to the fire ... because a know a lot of people hate this car. But the Scion Xb with a price of just over 17k has more maximum cargo space and interior passenger volume than the Versa, Mazda3, PT, Astra, Caliber, Fit, Yaris, and Focus.

[segfault]

4-speed automatic? The Civic has a 5-speed auto at the same price point.

[Sanchez]

Scion XB? Not many people would like to be seen in that thing (I refuse to call it car).

[Amuro Ray]

Do you read Kyle C.? I said that the reason why Astra will be used to compare with Fit, Yaris and Versa simply because of its H/B status...as MOST people will compare. Most people don't really look at the real size of H/B when shopping this type of car. Their general perception is that H/B = subcompact...UNLESS they finally go test drive it. If you look @ many car forums, you'll then realize that many people have been comparing the Astra with the other H/B - subcompact or compact size!

BTW, in case you haven't done your research...Versa is actually a mid-size car.

[Infosaur]

What I find interesting is the 3 door is more loaded than the 5 door.

Since Saturn is trying to re-invent itself as Euro-centric, this could be interersting.

the volume sales will be of 5-doors. But the 3 doors (if they're smart) will be marketed to the old Civic Hatch set.

I don't know why hatchbacks have such a stigma, I've Auto-X'ed a Civic Hatch for years and it was great to be able to fit a full set of tires and tools in the back of the car.

So if the 3-door doesn't sell in majority numbers it could benefit the Astra line as it's "Halo" car. If the marketers and PR types could stop acting like a modern 3 door is equivalent to a 1976 AMC Gremlin.

Also: Look to the Volvo C-30, Mini, and VW GTI, handled right 3 doors have a distinct Euro-funkiness.

That would be a plus for Saturn.

[J]

Did I read it wrong?
3 door XR costs more than 5 door XR?
Why am I getting a 3 door?

[Infosaur]

J: if you're practical, you buy the 5 door, and HEY you save money!

If you want to be one of the "cool kids", buy the 3-door.

[Kyle C.]

Amuro Ray obviously does not have eyes to see the difference in size between a Yaris and a Caliber.

Remember I HAD a Caliber. They are a hell of alot more roomy on the inside then Fit,Versa, and Yaris.

If anything the Astra is a compact not a subcompact. So is the Caliber. There is a difference between subcompact and compact that obviously you can not see beyond they are both H/B.

If you want to say that the Versa is a mid-size car then Nissan is competing against itself with the altima. The Versa is not a mid sized car.

[J]

Kyle C.

I hope you have read what Amuro said clearly.
EPA has defined the Versa as a MID-SIZE. Even though the exterior is a compact, but the interior room makes it a mid-size.
Proof: http://www.epa.gov/emissweb/midcar-07.htm

What are sub-compact cars?
Aston Martin DB9, Jaguar XKR, BMW M6, Ferrari F430, Bentley Azure, etc. (Toyota Yaris fits in this one)
What are compact cars?
Lexus GS 450h, Dodge Caliber, Mazda3, etc.
Honda Fit is defined as a small wagon.

Do the research before making personal comments will make you more credible.
Thanks. :)

[Daz]

I drove a wagon version here in Germany & I hope the hatches drive a bit better. Didn't have great handling & felt quite "Cavalier" like, but I have always liked the look of the hatches. We also have a hard top convertible here which is quite nice, 2 bad the USA doesn't get it.

[Amuro Ray]

Thanks again J. I'll stop "educating" KC as it's a waste of my time to try to show someone who doesn't like analyzing things and come up with some logical conclusion. You are right, the Versa is actually a mid-size class, but because of it H/B status (not counting the sedan version here), almost all consumers and car mags have compared it with Fit and Yaris (and Aveo, Rabbit, etc.). That's just to show why the interior size of the car really doesn't matter, or even the class size of the vehicle, before someone actually test drive the vehicle and buy it. Thus, even if Astra is being classified as a mid-size, which I don't know at this point, to the eyes of most, it'll still be used to compare with the Fit/Yaris/Versa/Mazda3/etc., simple 'coz of the fact that it's a H/B. Of 'coz, now that you've given your info, J, there will be people who will think that, "oh, what, I owned a Calibar that's the same class size of the Ferrari? I'm sure everyone is gonna compare the 2 now!" :)

[cody]

This EPA size class is quite interesting. I think it shows how the EPA has not kept up with car growth. Many of the old mid-size cars (Sonata, Camry, Malibu) have magically grown up into the full-size catagory (which I guess is great for advertising) and many of the old compacts are now considered mid-size based on the EPA standard. It just shows how cars have grown (park a late-90s Accord next to the current Civic).

I don't see the interior volume specs above, so I'm not sure how a discussion or argument about what to compare this car to or whether it's overpriced can be had, but I guess anyone will take the bait if enough people thow it out there...

I'm not sure where Amuro Ray got the info to decide this was a sub-compact and therefore couldn't be priced against a Civic or Sentra. Maybe I will be the next person he "educates." I suppose it's the "it's a hatchback so it must be bargain basement priced and can't be priced competitively against conventional 3-box sedans" argument. Hmm, works for the Mini, and it's a tiny little car. At any rate, the anticipation is killing me...

J, if you want to quote EPA classifications, make sure your examples are correct. Based on interior volume, the Caliber, too, is classified as a mid-sized car...in fact, many "compacts" are actually midsize cars. According to Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40--Protection of Environment, Section 600.315-82, the mid-size catagory ranges from 110-119 cu ft of interior volume (front + rear + cargo)...

I know the main reason for the "higher price" is that this vehicle IS built in Europe in imported into the US for Saturn (not like the VWs built in Mexico) and the Euro's pretty strong compared to the dollar. Anyway, great discussion going on here.

[Panic]

Not trying to pick sides, but Amuro did not say it WAS a sub-compact, just that people's perception of it being as such since it is a hatch.

[Joey1]

Wait what Amuro Ray?

Yaris, Fit,and Versa, In the same class as Mazda3 and the Caliber?

I think Not. If anything the Matrix, And Focus are more in line with the Mazda3 and the Caliber.

Yaris, Fit,and Versa are compact (if even that). I'd consider Mazda3, Caliber, Focus, and Matrix. - Kyle C.

It's really hard to determine where this car fits. It is larger than the Fit and Yaris yet smaller than the Versa. It is actually very close in size to the Matrix and Caliber. I'm surprised that the Versa is larger and has more cargo volume. No matter where it fit, the price is a little high. If you're looking for cargo volume, reliability and price - it would be better to go with the Versa or maybe a PT Cruiser. -ziggy

Fun... Oh, btw, TypePad needs to add a quote feature. I don't like copy+paste.

Below- food for thought.

Passenger room/luggage. From cars.com website.

xB-122/21.7
Fit- 90/21.3
Matrix- 96/21.8
Caliber- 95/18.5
Versa- 94/17.8
Focus- 94/14.8 (4dr hatch)
Yaris hatch- 84/9.3
Yaris sedan- 87/12.9
PT Cruiser- 99/21.2
Mazda3 hatch- 95/17.1

xB -143.7
PT Cruiser-120.2
Matrix- 117.8
Caliber- 113.5
Mazda3 h- 112.1
Versa- 111.8
Fit- 111.3
Focus- 108.8
Yaris s- 99.9
Yaris h- 93.3

The Versa is close enough to the Caliber to be competition...

I don't see how anything can be bigger than a Fit and smaller than a Versa. It would be 111.4-111.7 . That is rather a small range. I'll add pricing tomorrow.

The car with the shortest name has the most volume (xB). It has standard stability and side airbags, ABS, and front, side, and side curtain airbags. Oh, and traction.

But the most glaring fact-

Standard Air Conditioning.

Lower price too.
Astra would need 17,450 MSRP for stability and air on the base model. xB is 16,270 for base with all the goodies. Both have no-haggle pricing.

Synopsis/conclusion of my rather long post-
Astra v xB.

[cody]

Panic,

You're right. He didn't openly state it was a sub-compact, but his examples in his first post made it seem like he was classifying it on the small side.

"It's supposed to complete with the Fit, Versa, Yaris, Mazda3, Focus, and the starting price of these cars (MSRP) are around $12000. Now the Astra has marched onto the Civic, Corolla, Sentra, etc territory."

He doesn't go on to say that it is primarily due to the hatchback stigma, and when did the Civic/Corolla/Sentra become higher market cars than the Mazda3 and Focus??

"since people have this conception that H/B are SMALL cars - in the class of subcompact - even though that may NOT be the case."

But then he goes on to say this:

"Sentra, Corolla, Civics, etc. are COMPACT size...so 1 class bigger"

So he IS saying it's a compact isn't he???

The most interesting part is that these really are direct competition to the Astra so I don't know why he tries to assert that the Astra is an entry-level economy car like the Yaris. Furthermore, thanks to its hatch and the additional room that more efficient design yields, the Astra will likely have more interior volume and be classified as a MID-size car....one class bigger.

GM has said all along that this car will be a step up from the ION and will be priced higher, so I don't know why people are surprised.

At any rate, it's nice to know you read my entire post and picked the most relavent portion to point out.

[cody]

I meant he DOES go on to say in that third para.

[cody]

and I meant to type "he is saying it's a sub-compact" not a compact. Jeez, why can't we go back and edit these after posting...maybe for 5 minutes??? I know, there's a preview button.

[Joey1]

Because this is a comment system, not a forum. *sigh*

[J]

cody,

"J, if you want to quote EPA classifications, make sure your examples are correct. Based on interior volume, the Caliber, too, is classified as a mid-sized car"

http://www.epa.gov/emissweb/midcar-07.htm
http://www.epa.gov/emissweb/smcar-07.htm

Please go to the above websites, press "Ctrl" and "F" on your keyboard, type in "Caliber" in the search box. Please let me know if/where you find the caliber in the mid size page.(BTW, didn't I post one of the links in a previous comment?)
I rest my case.

[cody]

J,

Congratulations on closing the case. You got me. The Caliber's interior adds up to 107.6 cu ft, just missing the Mid-size catagory. Well played.

[Infosaur]

Only the Federal Govenerment could put the Lexus GS450h and the Dodge Caliber in the same class of ANYTHING.

Civil service, it's not a job, it's daycare!