The Astra Mark Mk5 or H was first launched in May 2004 as a five-door hatchback, which by the end of the year was joined by a five-door estate and a sporty three-door hatchback called the Sport Hatch in the UK. The main variants were Life, Club, Design, SXi, SRi, Elite, and the flagship VXR.

The factory wiring uses a Quadlock plug and Fakra antenna lead.