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You've almost certainly been a passenger in a Vauxhall Corsa even if you haven't owned one. This is because it has long been one of the best-selling vehicles on the market, appealing to everyone from teenagers to retirees. Why is this you might ask? Well, it’s because Vauxhall has perfected the art of offering engine and trim options to fit every driver's budget and driving need.
The Corsa shares its foundations with two other small cars, the latest Peugeot 208 and the DS 3 Crossback, now that the manufacturer is part of the French PSA Group (composed of Peugeot, Citroen, and DS). That means it is also available as a fully electric vehicle.
However, we're focusing on the petrol-engined versions in this review, and while the Corsa is indeed very similar to the 208, we can confidently tell you it's not a copy-and-paste job. Vauxhall has fine-tuned the steering and suspension of the Corsa to give it a distinct feel. Aside from the dimensions, it bears little resemblance to the 208, both inside and out. So, let's take a closer look at the new Vauxhall Corsa.
The standard Vauxhall Corsa (and the electric Vauxhall Corsa-e) are both offered with three different petrol engines. Although we haven't tested the base 74 horsepower 1.2-liter petrol engine (badged 1.2 75), which has a five-speed manual gearbox, the on-paper numbers indicate it'll be quite slow, covering 0-62 mph in 12.4 seconds. The mid-range turbocharged 99bhp version (badged 1.2 100 Turbo) is our recommendation. It's more adaptable than the entry-level engine, handling motorway journeys better because it accelerates quickly, going from 0-60mph in 9.3 seconds.
If you want something faster, the top-of-the-line 1.2 130 Turbo is the only option. It has 128bhp in total and pulls harder from lower in the rev range. When you put your foot down, it's the most eager, accelerating from 0-60mph in just over 8.0 seconds. The Corsa handles well and has good grip, but it's not particularly dynamic, with more body lean than, say, the Ford Fiesta. Furthermore, the steering in the Corsa is incredibly light. That's great for slow parking manoeuvres, but the lack of weight makes it feel floaty at higher speeds, resulting in a less engaging experience than competitors.
The steering wheel and driver's seat in the Vauxhall Corsa have a decent range of adjustability for both reach and height, so you should be able to find a comfortable driving position. Strangely, only the top-of-the-line Ultimate trim has lumbar adjustment; instead, it has a driver's seat massaging function, a feature uncommon in tiny cars.
The air conditioning is controlled by physical buttons, which makes it less distracting to operate while driving than the system in the 208, which is controlled by the infotainment touchscreen. However, because the Corsa's air-conditioning controls are recessed into the dashboard below the infotainment screen, they are less visible than the Fiesta's. The base Design trim includes analogue instrument dials with a 3.5in screen around them to display trip information. When you upgrade to one of the higher trims, that setup is supplemented by a 7.0in the digital instrument display.
Even tall car owners will find more than enough space up front in the Vauxhall Corsa, which has class-leading head and leg room. The Corsa, like the very similar Peugeot 208, appears less airy inside than the Seat Ibiza, Skoda Fabia, and Volkswagen Polo due to the car's width, as well as the thickness and angle of the front pillars. The front storage space is adequate, though the glovebox and the cubbyhole under the central armrest are somewhat limited. The storage tray at the bottom of the dash, which is ideal for a phone or wallet, is even more convenient. There are also a few decent-sized door bins.
Due to the relatively narrow door apertures, the Corsa's rear seats aren't the easiest to get in and out of if you're an adult of above-average stature. However, once inside, there is enough space for two tall adults. The Polo has more head and leg room than the Renault Clio, but the Corsa still has the most rear-seat space. The boot on the Corsa is a good size for the class. Sure, the Skoda Fabia and Volkswagen Polo have more outright capacity, but the Corsa has more luggage space than the Ford Fiesta.
Conclusion
MWVC offers the best Vauxhall car lease deals in the UK to meet everyone's needs. Our expert sales team can assist you in determining the best Vauxhall Corsa or Vivaro car lease deal for you, whether you are looking for a personal deal or a commercial vehicle to lease. Still unsure whether car leasing is the best option for you? Please call us at 0116 490 2613 and one of our team members will gladly assist you.
Why not read our Genesis GV60 review here.
*All pricing is correct at the time of publishing.
