Said this before, but here we go again.
Appearance is in the eye of the beholder. Personally, I think the Astra looks really dated now but the I think the Cupra
K1 is fugly. Result = Draw. Therefore I would pick a Cupra, and compare it on that basis because at that point it is a win to the Cupra.
Your first sentence is correct....the rest is gibberish. The 'burg is a much better looking and more aggressive looking wagon
Standard Performance => Standard vs Standard = 240bhp(VXR) vs 260bhp (Cupra) based on most r/r graphs of stock VXR's and Cupra's. Cupra is faster on the road and 1/4 mile in standard form vs a standard Astra VXR.
Most 'burgs are kicking around 255bhp ....don't forget that the op is talking about the 'burg!! As for 1/4 mile I don't know as the Cupra owner kept avoiding me at the track!
Tuned Performance => Tuned vs Tuned and maxed out on stock turbo vs maxed out on stock turbo = Cupra win due to 60+bhp advantage.
I got 310bhp with a fmic, exhaust, plugs and map. So the Cupra tunes better but at 360bhp the fed chassis is overwhelmed!
Handling = Cupra win even though the Cupra is nowhere near the best handling hatch. Cupra wins purely because Astra VXR handling is suspect at best.
You're right...neither handle well but the vxr isn't as bad as clarkson makes out. Trying owning and tracking one!! A few simple mods transform it.
Brakes = Cupra win. No contest.
Agreed
Interior = Cupra win as seats are far better, there is more space, and where the Cupra fails on the central part of the dash, at least it doesn't have archaic dials, switches and fittings. That being said, it would be down to the individual to decide that so result may be classed as a Draw.
Bar the orange colour of the lights, the burg has a much much nicer interior, full leather standard, piano black finishings etc. The Cupra looks a lot like my wife's old altea derv inside
Exhaust note = Ear of the beholder. Some like the Remus on the Nurburgring, but if you live with it a while, it can get too much, even though it does sound good. That being said, a Milltek on a Cupra is awesome too. Result = Draw
The burg's Remus is easily the best sounding exhausts on any hot hatch straight from the dealers! It's not intrusive on long journeys.
Tuning potential = Cupra win. Factory 240bhp figure on both cars expands to approx 300bhp on the Astra vs 360bhp on the Cupra.
Seen a lot of these 360bhp cars make less but, yes, the Cupra makes more power at less money.
Obsolescence = Cupra win. Astra VXR is running a none current chassis and body.
Explain in more detail
Resale = Cupra win. You struggle to find a decent Cupra under £10k. Plenty of VXR's under £10k.
You won't find many decent burgs under 10k
Safety = Cupra win (better crash results from the detail I have seen)
Encap readings for both...remind me
C02 = Cupra win (lower CO2)
Why buy a performance car? Astra is still in the £225ish bracket per year...what's the Cupra?
Practicality = Cupra win (5 doors)
Not cool if you're young/no kids
Reliability = Cupra win. Loads more engine/turbo issues on VXR than Cupra.
No real engine issues due to forged internals. Some leaky turbo gaskets in the vxr. However the Cupra isn't exactly trouble free!
No brainer for me. Cupra.