Saturn Astra: Lost in translation

GM's new imported Saturn compact fails to make up in performance what it lacks in practicality.

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In recent home-run performances with cars like the Chevrolet Malibu, Cadillac CTS and the Saturn Outlook SUV, GM has stepped up to the plate and spent serious money to make those vehicles the best they could be.

Cost-saving and category-beating don't go hand in hand though. In this case, the Astra is a solid base-hit but, ultimately, it fails to score.

Maybe later GM will find some money in its strained coffers to really fit this car out for the American market. In the meantime, if you're looking for a compact car, you'll find others that perform better, hold your drink for you and speak your language.

Last updated January 25 2008: 11:54 AM ET

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Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.