Name: Vauxhall Corsa Review
Item: Vauxhall Corsa
Author: Gumtree.com

A supermini that’s been around since the ’80s, the Vauxhall Corsa was first introduced to the UK market by the name of Nova. A name-change in 1993 brought with it a variety of welcome updates that made this car a household name. An unending list of trims and engines has been offered by the car since. Much like its long-term rival, the Ford Fiesta, the Corsa is the gift that keeps on giving in terms of driving pleasure, without having to break the bank.

Visit the Vauxhall Corsa hub to explore available models and learn more.

What we think about the Vauxhall Corsa

Efficient and smart, the refined tech on the Vauxhall Corsa is a British favourite for drivers of all ages.

Pros

Snappy looks

Comfortable driving

Cheap running costs

Cons

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Slightly on the expensive side

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Plain interiors

Having undergone a significant facelift in 2014, the Vauxhall emerged with sharper detailing that made it stand tall in the looks department. Engines range from the economical 1.0-litre to the nippy 1.6-litre. Given that there are eleven levels of trims, there sure is a Corsa for everyone. In 2018, Vauxhall-Opel was bought by Peugeot, which brought about another significant overhaul in terms of body frame in the 2020 variant.

Driving performance of the Vauxhall Corsa

Our Driving Rating8 / 10

As a competitor to the Ford Fiesta, the Corsa wouldn’t have made so much of a dent in the small-cars segment if not for driving pleasure. Agile and preppy, this supermini takes you on a delightful ride with a well-tuned feel. As a small car, it handles corners like a champ and gives you a smooth ride on rougher road surfaces. All in all, you get a fine balance of firmness and control that often goes amiss with bigger cars.

Safety and reliability of the Vauxhall Corsa

Our Safety Rating7 / 10

Starting with the 2014 variant, Vauxhalls have consistently achieved a four-star safety rating by Euro NCAP. While it doesn’t quite achieve the top score, it features lots of standard safety gear including six airbags, Bluetooth connectivity and LED running daylights, making the Vauxhall a practical choice. The latest 2020 model also gets automatic emergency braking and lane-assist as standard gear. Higher trims come with rear parking sensors and electronic braking. Worthy of note for both safety and convenience, electrically-heated windscreens are a standard feature across all trims in the Corsa line-up.

Under the bonnet of the Vauxhall Corsa

Our Engine Rating7 / 10

Amongst all superminis, the Vauxhall Corsa has a solid selection of engines. The three-cylinder 1.0-litre turbos offer decent performance and reliable fuel efficiency, while the 1.3-litre CDTi that’s fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox is the best choice if you’re looking at covering more miles. The sporty lineups work best with the 1.4-litre petrol variants, getting you from 0-60 mph in under 11 seconds. For pure performance, the Corsa-e goes from 0-60 mph in just 7.6 seconds.

What you'll find in the Vauxhall Corsa

Our Design Rating7 / 10

The 2014 facelift gave the Corsa a larger grille, distinctive headlights and recognisable LEDs that made it stand out from the plainer looks of the previous generation. However, the side profiles and windows maintained the same style as the 2006 variants. While older models are available in both three-door and five-door styles, from 2020 onwards the Corsa has scrapped the three-door variant making for a very noticeable change in the latest generation. With 16-inch alloy wheels being standard on this zippy supermini, there’s no trim level that doesn’t look agile and ergonomic.

Comfort and interiors in the Vauxhall Corsa

Our Comfort Rating7 / 10

The Corsa’s clean dash design gives its interiors an uncluttered look, unlike the more stirring designs on the Renaut Clio or the Peugeot 208. Like any other supermini, the Corsa aims to strike a fine balance between comfort, feedback and handling. Driver comfort is well taken care of with plenty of cushioning and leg room. Rear space is more suited for children due to the smaller headroom, and adults might struggle with regular use or longer journeys. The suspension can feel jagged at times, but it’s nothing to complain about.

What features you'll find in the Vauxhall Corsa

Our Features Rating7 / 10

Starting from the 2014 variant, all Corsas get a seven-inch infotainment display with higher trims going up to ten-inch touchscreen with USB audio-connectivity and Bluetooth syncing. The control system on the most recent versions connects with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The range-topping trims get you 3D sat-nav, climate control, part-leather upholstery and a reversing camera. Overall, the build quality of the interiors has improved significantly over time, offering greater value for money.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Vauxhall Corsa

Our Fuel Consumption Rating8 / 10

On the turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol variants of the 2014 generation, Vauxhall claims overall fuel efficiency of 51.4 mpg which is not bad for a supermini. Going with the turbocharged petrol engine is a better bet, as the non-turbocharged variants perform significantly lower at 42.2 mpg. The diesel line-up does much better than the petrol variants, managing up to 88.3 mpg.

Running costs of the Vauxhall Corsa

Our Cost Rating7 / 10

Performing well in terms of emissions are the 100 hp petrol variants, which all boast emissions of less than 100 g/km of CO2. As with any small car, one would expect that the Corsa’s diesel variants might fall well below the 100 g/km mark, and they do. The 2018 petrol line-up gives the worst performance here with each exceeding 128 g/km. The best of the lot is the Corsa-e is by far, and it’s also a practical choice with a 209-mile range. The car falls in insurance groups 10 to 16, so not too costly on that front. While the 2020 models are too recent to judge for reliability, the previous generation hasn’t generally been troublesome.

Our verdict of the Vauxhall Corsa

4 / 5 Gumtree rating

Vauxhall Corsa manages to walk the fine line between fun and practicality, and the low emissions give it an extra edge over some of the competition.

Vauxhall Corsa Review