GM Saturn ASTRA Automobile User Manual


 
212008 ASTRA Product Guide
2008 Saturn ASTRA vs. Volkswagen Rabbit
Competitive Comparisons
ASTRA vs. VW Rabbit
EXTERIOR DESIGN & STYLING
More distinctive styling. ASTRA has a much sportier
appearance, especially on the more rakish 3-Door.
Rabbit’s boxy, traditional hatchback look provides
nothing to distinguish its two body styles other than
counting doors.
Larger standard wheels. Rabbit comes standard with
15" steel wheels and larger alloy wheels are available
as options or dealer-installed. ASTRA starts with 16"
wheels on 5-Door (steel on XE, alloy on XR) and 17"
alloy wheels on the 3-Door with 18" available.
Projector beam fog lamps. These are standard on
ASTRA XR. Rabbit does not offer fog lamps.
Automatic headlamp control. Standard on every
ASTRA but not available on Rabbit.
Remote power locking fuel filler door. Standard on
every ASTRA but not available on Rabbit.
PERFORMANCE, RIDE & HANDLING
Standard StabiliTrak on ASTRA 3-Door. Electronic
stability control costs extra on both Rabbit 2-Door
and 4-Door.
More fuel efficient. ASTRA has better fuel economy
(estimated).
Larger standard tires. ASTRA’s P205/55R16 (5-Door)
and P225/45R17 (3-Door) tires are both larger in
diameter and wider than Rabbit’s P195/65R15 tires for
improved road-gripping traction.
SAFETY & SECURITY
OnStar with one-year Safe & Sound Plan. This
standard ASTRA feature is not available on Rabbit
at any price.
Tire Pressure Monitor. This is standard on ASTRA,
but costs extra on Rabbit for 2007 (will be standard
in 2008).
Front side-impact air bags with thorax and pelvic
protection. Rabbit’s seat-mounted side-impact air bags
only provide thorax protection.
Pedal Release System. Rabbit does not offer this
standard ASTRA feature.
Active front head restraints. Rabbit does not offer this
standard ASTRA feature.
COMFORT & CONVENIENCE
Leather seating surfaces. Available on ASTRA XR as
part of the Premium Trim Package. Rabbit does not
offer leather seats.
Overhead sunglass holders. Standard on ASTRA but
only available on Rabbit 4-Door in the overhead
console included with the optional sunroof.
Dual panel sunroof. Available on ASTRA 5-Door, this
surprisingly large sunroof includes a power-operated
mesh sunshade. Rabbit 4-Door only offers a much
smaller sunroof with a manual sunshade.
COST OF OWNERSHIP
Oil Life System. Standard ASTRA feature monitors
engine usage to determine oil/filter change interval
(not just mileage based). Not available on Rabbit.
Longer powertrain limited warranty. ASTRA’s
5-year/100,000-mile warranty lasts 40,000 miles
longer than Rabbit’s coverage.
TECHNOLOGY
RainSense windshield wipers. Standard on every
ASTRA, but not available on Rabbit.
Driver Information Center with trip computer. Rabbit
does not offer this standard ASTRA feature.
Steering wheel-mounted controls. Standard on ASTRA
XR. Rabbit does not offer any steering wheel-mounted
controls.
Center ambience speaker. Included on ASTRA XR for
improved sound quality, but not available on Rabbit.
Remote express-down windows. Lower all of ASTRA’s
windows with one touch of the key fob. Not available
on Rabbit.
OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation.
Available on every
ASTRA for a modest upgrade fee (see page 11 for
details). Rabbit does not offer a navigation system
of any kind.
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