The Vauxhall Cascada is one of the best looking cars to come out of Luton in quite some time. It is up against rivals including the BMW 1 Series Convertible and the Audi A3 cabriolet. 

There’s no doubt that it faces pretty stiff competition, however, the Cascada has a few tricks up its sleeve.

It is a D segment car but has the price tag of a C segment vehicle, which could see it taking sales off the German players in this market.

Performance

The Cascade is available with a range of petrol and diesel engines. These include a 163bhp 2.0-litre CDTi diesel and a 168bhp 1.6-litre ECOTEC turbo petrol.

We tested the 1.6-litre petrol which is only available with a six-speed automatic gearbox. Overtaking is child’s play as this version has 280Nm of pulling power. Performance figures are good, with this version completing the benchmark sprint in 9.2 seconds and going on to a top speed of 135mph.

The most powerful variant is a 197bhp version of the 1.6-litre turbo. This can complete the 0-60mph sprint in 8.5 seconds and go on to a top speed of 146mph.

Ride and Handling

When cornering enthusiastically you’ll feel that the Cascada has tons of grip. This is largely due to it having an identical front suspension to what is in the Insignia VXR.

On the handling front the Cascada performs really well and is much stiffer than Vauxhall’s previous contender in the convertible market – the Astra TwinTop.  When cornering enthusiastically you’ll feel that the Cascada has tons of grip. This is largely due to it having an identical front suspension to what is in the Insignia VXR. This front suspension also comes with ‘FlexRide’ adaptive damping system, meaning you can choose between Tour, Standard and Sport mode – each offering different driving dynamics. Sport for example weights up the steering, albeit a little artificial. It’s not as good to drive as BMW’s 1 Series, but Vauxhall is getting closer. For those who are after a cool convertible however, driving dynamics might be a must.

Interior and Equipment

The word ‘Cascada’ translates to waterfall in Spanish.

Entry-level SE trim Cascadas feature 18-inch alloy wheels, aircon, rear parking sensors, cruise control, digital radio, an aux-in and USB port for your MP3 player, four airbags and an alarm system.  Move up to the Elite models and this adds a choice of different leather trims, heated front seats with a four-way adjustable lumbar support, a heated steering wheel, front fog lamps, dual-zone climate control and automatic headlights and rain-sensitive wipers. Both trim levels come with folding rear seats. When it comes to folding the roof, it can be opened in 17 seconds and operated at speeds of up to 30mph, which is handy in the event of a sudden rain shower. With the roof lowered the design of the car is at its best and it is not hampered by roof-top cover or roll-over protection keeping the lines clutter free. Although it is a convertible, the Cascada still offers a decent sized boot, with 380 litres on offer. When lowering the roof, the Cascada’s boot space will shrink from 380-litres to 280 litres.

Cost

The Cascada’s most efficient option is the 2.0-litre diesel, emitting just 138g/km and claiming to return an average of around 54mpg.

The 168bhp 1.6-litre petrol we tested offers a claimed economy of 39.2mpg and emits 168g/km of CO2. The Cascada’s most efficient option is the 2.0-litre diesel, emitting just 138g/km and claiming to return an average of around 54mpg. As it is sometimes considered a cheaper alternative to more luxurious German brands like Audi and BMW, it is worth mentioning that the Cascada is a large chunk less than the Audi A5 Cabriolet and BMW 2 Series Convertible.

Our Verdict

The Cascada has the prestige badged cars running for cover. It offers good driving dynamics and plenty of kit for much less money. What’s not to like? Well, if you are after something that turns heads because of its Germanic looks and driving dynamics, then the Cascada may be found wanting. But as with many other cheaper alternatives in the market, it may just be a case of compromise with Vauxhall’s drop top.