AS far as Vauxhall Astras go, this is as meaty as it gets.

The Limited Edition spec of the sporty GTC comes with a decent selection of engine choices, with two power outputs on the 1.4 petrol, along with a 1.7 diesel in two flavours and a 2.0 diesel.

But this is the petrolhead’s choice for sure, the 1.6 petrol turbo with 200ps.

That means you get a top whack of 143mph and a 0-62mph time of 7.3 seconds. Pretty tasty for a five-door hatch.

It’s a very good drive, with excellent ride and handling and a cheeky bit of torque steer, but not so much as to be annoying.

The engine makes a lovely sporty burble and of course this is a quick car. Acceleration didn’t feel walloping, but that 0-62 time doesn’t lie – this is no slouch.

Stop and start help aid reasonable-for-a-sporty-car figures of 156g/km for CO2 and combined mpg of 42.

It looks good in three-door guise – squat and purposeful – and the 20in alloys that come as standard on the Limited Edition mark it out as a car that means business.

Indeed, the Limited Edition gets a hefty list of standard features. Alongside those wheels are sports bumpers, side sills, a rear skirt and rear spoiler, as well as tinted windows.

Inside, the quality is there, as is standard on Vauxhall’s latest cars.

You get USB, a digital radio, Bluetooth, air con, electric windows, cruise control and a three-spoke leather steering wheel finishes off the effect.

This car also added the sat nav system – which is nice and easy to use – at a not-inconsiderable sum of £1,200, plus two-coat paint at £525.

Even with those options, £23,670 is a genuinely competitive for a mid-size sports hatch like this and if you feel you can get where you’re going without the help of the nav and the snazzy paint, it’s on the road for £21,945.

In truth the GTC doesn’t quite reach hot hatch territory – that’s reserved for the Corsa Clubsport – but for those who like to drive and are looking for a good value all-round package that’ll keep your passengers in comfort and a couple of suitcases in the boot while offering plenty of fun at the same time, it’s a attractive proposition.

If hot hatch is what you want, but need a bigger car than the Corsa, it’s got to be the VXR.

Find out more at Eden Vauxhall in Branksome (0845 322 6119) and Christchurch (0845 322 6120) or visit edenvauxhall.co.uk.