GM Saturn ASTRA - Manual (Page 23)

21 2008 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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