Review
/5
- Pros:
- Spacious cabin and boot
- Low running costs
- Stylish new look
- Cons:
- Entry-level cars poorly equipped
- Small petrol engines feel slow
- Cabin quality could be better
reviewed by Carbuyer
"With a recent facelift, the Corsa now has the looks to match its driving experience. It's certain to remain a fixture near the top of the best-sellers list"
At a glance
- The greenest
- EXCLUSIV 1.3CDTi 16v (95PS) ecoF(a/c)S/S 3dr
£15,410 - The cheapest
- EXPRESSION 1.0i 12v ecoFLEX 3dr
£9,495 - The fastest
- SE 1.7CDTi 16v (130PS) ecoFLEX (a/c) 5dr
£17,450 - Top of the range
- SRi 1.7CDTi 16v (130PS) ecoFLEX (a/c) 5dr
£18,080
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The Vauxhall Corsa is a firm fixture in the UK's best sellers list – and with good reason. The spacious supermini offers practicality and comfort on a par with larger cars. Following a recent mechanical refresh in 2010, the Corsa received a brand-new face in 2011 along with a few interior updates. Now it not only drives well, but it looks just as stylish as its rivals too. The small petrol engines make the most sense, although the diesels do return fantastic economy - particularly the ecoFLEX model with its 76.3mpg capability.
Drive
Light and direct steering, small petrol engines feel very slow
The Vauxhall Corsa's suspension is supple, easily dealing with bumpy road surfaces. Steering is light and quick to respond, while low wind, road and engine noise make it a relaxing car to drive long distances. The entry-level 1.0-litre petrol engine feels underpowered; the 1.2-litre petrol is really the best place to start for a decent mix of economy and performance. but even this can struggle on steep hills. The 1.3 CDTi diesel is perhaps the best all-rounder, with its economy keeping running costs down.
Comfort
Quiet on the move and comfortable too
The Corsa started the trend for spacious, comfortable superminis – and on the open road, it almost feels as capable and comfortable as the bigger Astra. Rivals have caught up in terms of space, but the Corsa is still a quiet companion, even on the motorway. Some of the lower powered engines need to be revved hard to make any rapid progress and at these time a rough engine note can penetrate into the cabin. Sportier models lose the comfort of the regular versions, with the VXR in particular being rather stiff and bouncy on less than perfect road surfaces – but that's the price you pay for its thrilling performance.
Reliability
Corsa scored poorly in satisfaction surveys
It feels like a quality product, but the Corsa did suffer a few recalls in 2007. New cars should be reliable, but the Corsa didn't score too well in the 2010 Driver Power survey, coming in 84th out of 100 models. In comparison, the Ford Fiesta managed 35th place.
Practicality
Boot is spacious and cabin will seat four
At 285 litres, the Corsa's boot is big, the passenger compartment is spacious and the interior features some useful storage areas. Vauxhall even offers an integrated bicycle carrier that slides out from under the rear of the car, although it's an expensive option. Unless you regularly carry adults in the rear seats, the Corsa is big enough to be considered as an alternative to the larger Astra.
Value for money
Entry level cars come with sparse equipment
Pricing is keen, even if the standard specification on entry-point models is limited when compared to the Hyundai i20. When buying make sure that things like side airbags are included in the price as not all models get them. The Corsa won’t hold its value as well as a Volkswagen Polo, but it should be cheaper to buy and run.
Running costs
Cheap insurance, low CO2 emissions and brilliant economy
Low insurance rates, excellent fuel economy and tax-friendly emissions make the Corsa light on your wallet at the fuel pumps and for Road Tax. A 1.3-litre CDTi ecoFLEX model is the cheapest to run, with low CO2 emissions of 95g/km and combined economy of 76.3mpg. Long 20,000-mile service intervals and plenty of competition for servicing means it should be cheap and easy to keep in tip-top condition, too.
*Our monthly finance prices are updated on a regular basis, but due to the dynamic nature of the market are not guaranteed accurate. You can always confirm the monthly finance price with FinanceAcar.
