Vauxhall Corsa VXR hatchback (2007-2015) - Interior & comfort
The Vauxhall Corsa VXR has a dated interior, but it’s still very comfortable
The best thing you can really say about the Vauxhall Corsa VXR's ride is that it's surprisingly comfortable for a car that has such stiff suspension. In fact, when you compare it to the Renault Clio Renaultsport, the VXR feels positively soft and cushioned.
Around town, you feel lots of jolts, with rough roads proving particularly uncomfortable. However, when you pick up speed, the suspension starts to iron out those bumps with amazing effectiveness.
The driving position is excellent and the superb Recaro seats are fully adjustable, as is the steering wheel. The interior feels well built, too: it's a huge improvement over performance Vauxhalls of the past.
Vauxhall Corsa VXR dashboard
Because the Corsa VXR is based on the previous version of the standard Corsa, which has been replaced, the dashboard looks very dated. There’s none of the sharp design you’ll find in the Ford Fiesta ST and little of the gadgetry from the Clio Renaultsport.
But the quality of the interior still feels pretty good and the controls are sensibly positioned and easy to read. The standard stereo has some pretty small buttons, but the optional stereo upgrades improve on this.
Some might find the steering wheel rim too thick to get the best feel of the road ahead, and the gearknob is cartoonishly large for such a small car.
Vauxhall Corsa VXR equipment
The Corsa VXR is reasonably well equipped, but for a £19,000-plus asking price, some features – such as that standard stereo system – just don’t cut it.
What you do get are those comfortable Recaro sports seats, plenty of VXR badging inside and out, electric windows, cruise control and air-conditioning.
The VXR Clubsport has unique badging and bodystyling, which is sure to impress Vauxhall fanboys. What you’re actually paying more than £3,000 extra for are those bits underneath, which include Bilstein sports suspension, a Remus sports exhaust and beefier Brembo brakes.
Vauxhall Corsa VXR options
Surprisingly, Bluetooth phone connectivity isn’t fitted as standard, which you should really expect as standard on a near-£20,000 car. This function is available as a standalone option, or as part of the £750 Touch and Connect touchscreen sat nav and USB connectivity package – which we recommend.
We’d also suggest you consider the £285 rear parking sensors. The pricey leather-seat upgrade is harder to recommend, though.
