Opel introduced a sedan version for the Astra’s first generation in 1992, a year after the hatchback version, and it wasn’t the best-selling member of the family.
Replacing the Kadett was not an easy decision for the German brand, but it had to be done. The older name didn’t fit the initial market segment. Unlike its predecessor, the Astra didn’t aim at young customers anymore. The carmaker built it mainly for families and empty-nesters. Thus, the sedan version was a good choice, especially for those who needed a car mainly for the front seats and occasionally took some passengers in the back.

The Astra featured a short front fascia with narrow headlights and grille, crossed by a thin slat. From its sides, the design team kept the straight line theme for the rear wheel-arch from the Kadett but enlarged, which started from the rear doors. A rear glass area covered the space between the back doors and the C-pillars, while the short and flat trunk lid sat out of the driver’s sight.

Inside, Opel placed its bets on a simple, functional interior centered around the driver. For that, it installed a tilted center stack, with easy-to-reach climate control buttons on the lower side and the stereo cassette above it. In the instrument panel, the carmaker placed the speedometer in the middle, flanked on the sides by the tachometer and a common area for the fuel and coolant temperature gauges. Opel designed new seats for the Astra, with no bolstering on the sides. The sedan version provided adequate room for the rear occupants as well, especially if they were children.

Under the hood, Opel installed seven gasoline and two oil burners. The diesel versions were supplied by Isuzu and were offered with or without a turbocharger.