Published:”Friday, November 30, 2007 SAN JOSE, Calif. - Two important new models are now arriving at GM dealerships — the 2008 Saturn Astra compact and Chevrolet’s all-new Malibu. ARTICLE TOOLS Printer friendly E-mail Font: * * * * Here are some initial driving impressions of the various models in both lines gained from a day with each driving California’s scenic Pacific Coast Highway from San Jose to Los Angeles. SATURN ASTRA General Motors’ Saturn division is its primary import fighter.

For years, it has had to do battle with products that weren’t really up to that challenge. But, beginning with the stylish Sky roadster, Saturn has rolled out some dramatically different products that are truly capable of giving the imports a real tussle. The new Astra is the latest example — a top-selling car in Europe that’s been brought to the North American market with few changes except that the original Opel badge has been replaced by the Saturn logo.

The Astra is offered in two body styles — a five-door hatchback and a three-door coupe. With the compact segment such an important part of the Canadian market, Dan Burton, Saturn marketing manager, expects the Astra to be the brand’s top-selling model. To grab sales from such segment leaders as the Honda Civic, Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla, Saturn is making its bid with a car that’s stylish, fun to drive and competitively priced.

The sporty three-door coupe is particularly handsome, although there’s a penalty paid for the sleek looks in terms of rear-seat headroom. Obviously, access isn’t as easy as in the five-door sedan, but once you’re back there the rear seat is comfortable. With the five-door, accommodation front and rear is surprisingly roomy for such a small car. There’s sufficient leg and hip room for four adults, and headroom is not an issue.