It is all too easy to judge the proverbial book by its cover. Take the average open-topped car: it is tarred with the 'sporty' brush before the brush wielder even sits behind the wheel. Supposedly objective journalists soon fall into this trap when complaining that a convertible doesn't handle as well as the hatch it was derived from. With that in mind I jumped into the seat to start a week with Vauxhall's burgundy Astra Convertible.

The 2.2-litre version of the Astra Convertible tested here is a well-equipped car as standard, though ours was fitted with a few options. Such as the "Leather Pack" at £1,650: this includes cream leather seats (which are heated) and trim, and side airbags. The chairs are comfortable and large enough to accommodate those of us that treat their body more like an amusement park than a temple. We found the leather itself to be a little hard, though presumably this is to ensure their longevity despite the impractical colour. Our other qualm with the cream trim was the colour mismatch with the standard Astra black dashboard.

On the subject of extras, we were also given climate control (owning a convertible does not mean tolerating discomfort in today's world), superb xenon lights (£600) and a £200 windbreak. Most windbreaks make a lot of sense: they reduce buffeting in the cockpit of the car caused by the low-pressure region behind the windscreen when the roof has been lowered. The Vauxhall's windbreak does just that, but it cannot be used properly when the rear seats are occupied. We would advise against it unless you plan on not having too many passengers (why would you buy a four seat convertible if this is the case?). Another disadvantage is that the windbreak sits awkwardly in the boot, effectively taking up what little space there is.

The lack of volume for luggage is largely due to the storage well for the soft top. I do think that Vauxhall made the right decision on this; practicality has been sacrificed in the name of style. The roof folds majestically and stows neatly under a flush-fitting metal cover. This is all done at the touch of a single button, with no fiddly catches to undo. The handbrake must be engaged to move the roof, though we found that engaging the lever by a single notch allowed the roof to be raised at low speed, such as moving through slow traffic.

I would not recommend trying this at the high speeds the car is capable of. Yes, the Astra Convertible is essentially a family hatch for families that like the wind in their hair, but the 2.2-litre version in particular is surprisingly rapid. The balancer shaft equipped four-pot is wonderfully smooth, and therefore encourages the driver to use all of its 145bhp and 150lb.ft of torque. The mid-range is its most impressive region, with safe overtaking available without having to change too many gears. We did notice a flat spot though, which almost felt like lag normally associated with turbocharged cars. Giving the lack of a turbo, I suspect that this is the switchover point of a variable intake manifold. You soon learn how to drive around it, and the sporty exhaust note helps you forget.

Bearing in mind what I said at the start of this article, I was fully prepared for a compromised chassis, with comfort for the four passengers being the priority over the driver's enjoyment. How wrong could I be? Yes, the scuttle shake is quite evident, but the Astra Convertible corners with considerable aplomb and poise. The large, grippy tyres help of course, but it was surprising to find a car that is actually fun through a sequence of bends. The traction control is well judged, though I could not find any deactivation switch. Disc brakes all round are up to the task of a spirited drive, or more importantly, just stopping you and yours safely time and again. In fact, the only aspect of the driving experience we didn't approve of is the sloppy gearchange. The lusty engine ensures that frequent changes can be avoided in any case.

Which brings me back to the likely use of this car. The Astra Convertible seats four comfortably, though can't quite swallow enough luggage. However, though the Convertible is likely to be replaced soon by a folding hardtop version of the new Astra, it is still a good looking and classy car.

Looking at the new car market, there are not a lot of obvious rivals. French manufacturers Peugeot and Renault have the new generation of coupe-convertible on sale already with the 307CC and Megane Coupe Cabriolet. The Megane comes with a wide variety of engines and trim level. The most direct rival to the 2.2 Astra is the Privilege 2.0 VVT, with 134bhp and fitted with a 6-speed manual 'box. This model starts at £19,320, which is nigh on the same price as the Astra. The Megane is the less sporting choice, but its sharp lines and smart roof will no doubt snare buyers. The Peugeot is dumpier to my eyes, but does come with a 180bhp 2.0-litre engine. The downside is the price: £20,940. Another option would be the VW Beetle Cabriolet, though I think the Beetle buyer is less likely to have a family.

The Vauxhall Astra Convertible remains a strong contender in its sector, with reasonable practicality and value for money; it is also well equipped. The 2.2-litre version adds decent performance and a willing chassis. Think of it as a sporty family hatch that happens to lose its head every now and again.