Straightline

It'll sell better than the Ion, but based on the Top Gear reviews I've seen, it's not as nice as a Focus or a Rabbit.

But can they make a profit off it??

I don't think the rear passengers will like the side windows, as they will be hard to see out of.

Yeah I think it's a bit odd looking honestly, but overall OK. Ridiculously high beltline in the rear.
 
Rear beam what the crap GM? I know you love rear beams and drum brakes dearly, but please let go.
 
That is awesome gas mileage though, Honda is going to have to play catchup with GM (hard to believe eh?) Assuming EU mpg figures can be compared to pre-2008 EPA figures. I looked up the extra-urban spec on the UK website and converted it to US mpg and got 40.5! 2.5 mpg better than the R18 in the Civic, and it sounds like a more entertaining engine too! I must say the R18 is the most boring 140hp I've ever driven.

http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/vx/home.do
Vauxhall says the 1.8 L, 4-speed auto gets 26.9/45.6, 36.2 mpg (UK) combined, 187 g/km CO2.
0-60 mph in 10.7 seconds.
 
Choosing the 1.8 L, manual boosts mpg (UK) to 38.7.

http://www.honda.co.uk/car/
Honda says the 1.8 L, 6-speed auto manual gets 34/55.4, 44.8 mpg (UK) combined, 149 g/km CO2.
0-62 mph in 10.4 seconds.
 
Which makes the Civic 23.7% more fuel mising, and 20% more environmentally friendly.

Doubtless the 1.8l was picked because it is the only engine offered with an automatic.

Exterior is pretty sharp. The rear torsion beam is disappointing and reaks of cheap but it'll probably be acceptable. The interior ergonomics are kinda weird especially the HVAC blocked by the gearshift. Looks like the CD slot is inaccessable as well... Oh well.
 
Hatchback is a welcome option.

The performance potential of this car is not to be underestimated. Ion Redline, anyone? Try OPC and VXR, Opel and Vauxhall, respectively. 237 bhp. evo, at least, unlike TopGear, gives it top marks.
And yes, you have to wield the six-speed to get the turbo, not that anyone would complain. In my opinion it should prove to be a cheaper and more powerful alternative to a GTI, to say nothing of the weight advantage.
Oh, and let's not forget the fact that it doesn't look like it has a pissed-off puppy face attached to a dust buster with a mini-van hatch in the rear.

Good research billt9. So if I convert the extra-urban figure on the Civic to US mpg, that comes to 42.8, far more optimistic than the pre-2008 EPA rating of 38, assuming it's the exact same car. So what does everyone think of that?

Sadly, it's not the same car. The UK Civic has an automated-clutch manual transmission, while we get a slush box. =D
I posted that just to showcase what technology Honda has in Europe to compete with Vauxhall.
 
Still, the Astra's mpg is more in line with vehicles like the Mazda3.
Sporty, not frugal.

Anything would outsell the Saturn Ion. LOL
 
This will do well for them, plus it actually fits in with the current lineup.

The Astra also offers a forgiving ride, smooth and reasonably quiet cruising, firm seats and a businesslike cabin with good-quality plastics. With a look that is clean, sculpted and distinctively sporty. Tight wheel-to-body relationships, built in with Saturn pcv valve as a high performance part that ensures smooth operation with its practical features.

Well, it's a real car, as compared to the goofy Ion. So that's good. Whether it'll be a success? Hard to say. For one thing, the hatchback is not a "good option" as someone said, but from what I understand, the only body style out there. For my money, I'd get a Vibe and be done with it (oh wait, I did). Plus, with most Americans wanting an automatic, it may be a pretty mediocre car... Germans don't do automatics all that well, at least in small cars.
I'd bet that the Astra is a hoot to drive with a stick.
As far as the rear drum brake issue; I live in MI, and my rear disks -- the one time I had them -- rusted something fierce. My wife has drums in her '03 Sienna, and at 80k miles, the shop pronounced them to be 'still new'. So I'm all for rear drums, esp. in a small car.