Vauxhall Corsa Review & Prices

The new Vauxhall Corsa is a refreshed version of the ever-popular small hatchback that now features the same face as other recent Vauxhall models and improved equipment in the cabin, all of which applies to the Corsa Electric, too.

With the Peugeot 208, Renault Clio, Skoda Fabia and Volkswagen Polo the main alternatives in the small hatchback market, the Corsa is like the Google Pixel smartphone – lots of quality options around it, but it comes with a sleek and modern design.

The main change for the new Corsa is the design. It now features the ‘Vizor’ that’s been on new and updated Vauxhall models since 2020, and that means a black strip between the sharp headlights that gives a sportier and pleasing look.

It suits the Corsa nicely, while the rest of the car’s design remains fairly similar to before – which is no bad thing at all – with new 17-inch dark alloys the other main addition.

As with the outside, the cabin gets some updates too. There’s a new steering wheel, altered gear selector that’s much smaller than before and upholstery changes with the different trim levels.

Vauxhall has also updated the infotainment system, with a new 10.0-inch touchscreen and a 7.0-inch driver’s display – both with updated graphics. Wireless charging is also available for the first time.

Although there have been some styling and tech updates, space is just as it was before, which means those in the front have plenty of room but it's a tight squeeze for those in the back. The boot is smaller than you get in the Skoda Fabia and Volkswagen Polo as well.

Under the bonnet you have a choice of three petrol engines, with a 75hp unit paired to a five-speed manual, a 100hp engine with a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic and a top-end 130hp option that comes exclusively with the auto.

On the electric side, you have a choice of two motor and battery combinations, with the 136hp option joined by a new 156hp version, which has an official range of 246 miles to the less powerful model's 222 miles. It's impressively efficient, too.

You can choose from three trims – Design, GS and Ultimate – with the entry-level car getting the new 10.0-inch infotainment system, automatic LED headlights and rear parking sensors.

GS adds a new reversing camera, a 10.0-inch touchscreen and a 7.0-inch digital instrument display, while the top-end Ultimate adds adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and heated seats and steering wheel.

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Gone are the days when the Vauxhall Corsa was a low-cost small car. If you don’t mind the dull 75hp 1.2-litre engine and base spec Design trim, prices start at around £20,000, which puts it on par with the posher alternatives such as the Peugeot 208 and Volkswagen Polo. The Renault Clio and Skoda Fabia are a bit less money.

If you want some more poke from the engine and some decent kit, be prepared to fork out for a car that’s not the budget bargain it once was, with top-spec models with options nudging £30,000.

Considering a Corsa Electric? That's more expensive still, with prices ranging between about £33,000 and £38,000 making it more expensive than other similarly sized EVs, as well as the bigger, more practical MG4.

The Vauxhall Corsa is good to drive thanks to a strong engine line-up, though the ride becomes a bit choppy on rougher roads

In town

The Vauxhall Corsa has been designed very much with town driving in mind, so its compact size makes it very handy to park.

Big door mirrors give you a good view of what’s happening behind, which is just as well because the rear pillars are very thick and hinder the driver’s view over the left shoulder for swapping lanes.

Parking is simple thanks to a tight turning circle, and the mid-level GS comes with rear parking sensors. Opt for the top spec Ultimate and that’s upgraded to a reversing camera that gives a good view of what’s behind.

The petrol engines all work well in the city, though the entry-point 75hp non-turbo motor can feel a little flat once you’re on the ring road at higher speeds.

For the best urban experience in the Corsa, you need the electric version. It’s all but completely silent, swift and has a generous range. It also has a ‘B’ mode to regenerate more from wheels as the car slows, though this isn’t quite as good as the one-pedal driving modes of some EVs.

In any Corsa model, the only notable point against the Vauxhall is the ride can be a little too firm on bumpy roads, where the Corsa gets a little agitated compared to a Fiesta’s smooth responses.

On the motorway

In the Corsa Electric, motorway driving is enjoyable thanks to strong acceleration up to 70mph. It’s also largely quiet other than a bit of wind noise from around the door mirrors.

The petrol engines, however, have a much longer range and the turbo versions have plenty of pep for getting up to motorway speeds. Choose the 75hp non-turbo motor and it begins to feel a touch strained on these faster roads.

However, all Corsas are stable and composed on the motorway, so you don’t need to brace as you pass trucks or encounter crosswinds. It also deals well with uneven patches of road.

On a twisty road

It’s all very safe and straightforward when driving the Vauxhall Corsa on country lanes. It doesn’t lean much in bends, even if you have to make a sudden correction to avoid a puddle or other obstruction.

The steering is quite light, so the Sport setting that comes with the two upper trim levels is very welcome as it adds some extra weight and feel as you guide the Corsa through bends.

The ride that can be a bit firm around town settles to a good balance between control and comfort, and the Corsa is also one of the most refined cars in its class.

Roomy but gloomy in the front of the Corsa sums up this Vauxhall for the driver, and it’s quite cramped in the rear

Up in the front, the Vauxhall Corsa is largely very spacious, so it’s just a shame the cabin is finished in a lot of black and grey. It also misses the styling flair that its cousin, the Peugeot 208, enjoys so it's just a bit gloomy to look at.

However, that’s about the only downside to sitting in the driver's seat of the Corsa, because you get a lot of adjustment in the steering wheel and seat so finding a comfortable driving position is easy, even if you're tall.

There’s also seat height adjustment in all models using a simple ratchet lever. However, to alter the backrest angle, there’s a rotary knob at the base which is jammed up against the door pillar, so you end up scuffing your knuckles every time you try to change the seat angle.

No Corsa comes with any sort of lumbar adjustment, but the top-spec Ultimate has electric seat adjustment and a massage function. It also comes with Alcantara suede-like upholstery and heated front seats and steering wheel.

When it comes to storage, the door pockets are fairly big, there’s a tray in front of the gear lever with a USB-C charge slot, and two cupholders plus another tray between the front seats. A lidded cubby is in the middle of the front seats and its top doubles as a sliding armrest. Only the glovebox lets the side down, as it’s tiny.

Space in the back seats

The Corsa’s rear doors open fairly wide, so getting a child seat in is simple. You also get ISOFIX mounts in the two outer seats as standard, but the lugs are hidden by little zip-opening flaps that can be fiddly to access when you’re lifting the seat into place. There's also limited space to the seat in front so bulky seats will struggle to fit.

For adults sitting in the back, there’s just enough headroom, but space for knees is isn't great and anyone sitting in the middle seat will find there’s not much room for their feet. You might get away with three kids side-by-side, but even they could be quick to complain given how cramped it is in the back.

Small door bins provide some storage, along with map pockets in the seats, but there are no USB chargers back here, unless you go for the top-spec Ultimate model.

Boot space

The Corsa’s boot is best described as adequate. With 309 litres of space with the seats up in the petrol models, dropping to 267 litres in the Corsa Electric due to the batteries under the floor, it’s okay but not great. It's on par with the Ford Fiesta's 311 litres but some way off the class-leading Skoda Fabia (330 litres) and Volkswagen Polo (351 litres).

There’s a bit of a drop from load sill to boot floor, and it's a similar story when you fold the 60/40 split rear seat. It’s easy enough to do, but there’s quite a large step in the load floor, making it trickier than it could be to slide in bigger items.

Cabin quality is decent, but there’s little flair to wow passengers

Vauxhall has gone with a restrained, conservative look for the Corsa’s cabin. That’s fine if all you want is the information and controls in functional places, but a bit of added glitz wouldn’t go amiss to brighten things up. Ah well.

Still, the quality of the Corsa’s cabin is right up there with the very best in the class, and that includes the likes of Mini and Audi. It’s all very solid and made from decent materials, which does lend the Corsa a classy air in this respect.

The instrument display in the Design trim sticks with traditional round analogue dials, and there’s nothing wrong with this. They are clear and easy to read, and come with all the info you need regarding speed, revs, fuel and engine temperature. There's also a small digital display for the onboard computer readout that can be scrolled through using the steering wheel buttons.

GS models get a digital display here, and while it's good enough for this price point and displays all the information you need, it doesn't have the clearest resolution, and is certainly not a patch on Audi’s virtual cockpit layout.

In the centre console, Vauxhall keeps with traditional rotary knobs for the heating controls in all trims of the Corsa, which is perfect for adjusting the temperature or fan speed while driving.

Above this sits the 10.0-inch infotainment display, which is now standard across the range and gets new software. The graphics are sharp, but it's still a bit slower to respond to inputs than the slickest systems out there, though wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard help improve things.

Below the screen is a tray that's good for storage, and if you go for the Ultimate trim, it houses the wireless smartphone charger.

There are three engine options in the Vauxhall Corsa, with all being based on a 1.2-litre petrol engine.

The entry level model has just 75hp and no turbo, so it's the most sluggish of the lot with a pedestrian 13.2-second 0-62mph time. Fuel economy is okay though, at an official 52.3mpg, while CO2 emissions are 121g/km.

The more powerful 100hp option is actually more economical, thanks largely to the addition of a turbocharger. Its 0-62mph time of 9.9 seconds makes it a bit more sprightly to drive around town and get up to motorway speeds, but still does up to 55.4mpg with the six-speed manual gearbox or 52.3mpg with the eight-speed automatic. CO2 emissions are 114g/km and 123g/km respectively.

At the top of the range is the 130hp option, exclusively available with the automatic gearbox. It will do 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds, but it is the least efficient with economy of 51.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 124g/km.

All of these options fall into the same low road tax bracket, so there are no unexpected surprises there, and it's a similar story for company car tax, with all having a benefit-in-kind rating of 27-29%. The Electric is the best option in this regard, as it is currently just 2%.

The Corsa scored four stars when it was tested by Euro NCAP in 2019.

In addition to the six airbags fitted to all Corsa models, Vauxhall includes a lane departure warning system with lane keep assist, rear parking sensors, and driver fatigue alert. There’s also forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, plus cruise control with speed limiter in all models.

The GS gains front parking sensors and a rear-view camera, while the Ultimate has an upgraded reversing camera and adaptive cruise control. This top trim level also gains lane positioning assistance to keep it in the centre of the road, and Vauxhall’s IntelliLux adaptive headlights that give the best view of the road ahead at all times without dazzling drivers in oncoming cars.

Vauxhall provides a three-year/60,000-mile warrant for the Corsa, which makes it one of the less appealing warranty options available, and some way off the more generous offerings from those such as Kia, Hyundai and Renault. Reliability is fairly good, though, and Vauxhall repairs and servicing isn't too expensive.