Vauxhall Corsa Hatchback

Price: £7995 - £11,200
For: The Corsa is a sharp looker next to many rivals, and it feels peppy to drive. It gets better the faster it goes, and is capable on motorways. There's a long list of security kit and a big boot.
Against: The cabin is rather cramped for four passengers and the trim materials are dour to look at. Standard kit is miserly, despite a recent face-lift.




Nippy in and out of town Light to steer around town Noisy at speed, so best in town

Performance

New 1.0-, 1.2- and 1.4-litre petrol engines have joined the range, using what Vauxhall calls Twinport technology to give excellent fuel economy combined with decent performance. Thanks to their low emissions, they slot into the lowest 15% company car tax band, as does the 1.3 diesel unit.


Handling

Light steering makes the Corsa a doddle to park, but it feels numb at speed. There's also lots of body roll in corners, while road surface bumps feel sharp around town. The ride gets better at higher speeds, but it's no match for a Skoda Fabia's.


Refinement

Various noises disturb occupants, and wind roar increases as speed builds. Even when cruising, engine noise is too apparent. A fair amount of road noise filters into the cabin, too. That said, the Corsa remains on a par with most of its rivals in this respect. The controls operate cleanly, although the gearchange is a little rubbery.

• 
  Body type:Hatchback
  Number of doors 3
  Number of seats 5
  Engine (cc/type) 1389/4
  Fuel type Unleaded
  Max power (bhp/rpm) 89/6000
  Max torque (lb ft/rpm) 92/4000
  Max speed (mph) 111
  0-60mph (sec)
  30-70mph (sec) 11.1
  In Gears 30 to 50 (sec) no data/no data/no data
  In Gears 50 to 70 (sec) no data/no data/no data
  Braking distance (m) 6.8/59
  Engine position F
  Driven wheels Front
  Length (mm) 3817
  Width (mm) 1646
  Height (mm) 1440
  Front headroom (mm) 982
  Front legroom (mm) no data
  Rear headroom (mm) 1015
  Rear kneeroom (mm) 896
  Boot space (min ltr) 260
  Boot space (max ltr) 1060
  Turning circle (m) 10.05
  Turning circle lock to lock(m) not available
  Towing weight (kg) 1000
  Kerb weight (kg) 1130

Cheap to buy and run but poor residuals The Corsa should last, but with some rattles A good bet to stay where you park it

Buying

Given the mean equipment levels, the Corsa appears pricey next to some rivals, although discounts are easy to come by. Residual values are modest, but running costs are low.


Quality

Reliability should not be a particular worry for Corsa owners because Vauxhall mechanicals have a reputation for rugged durability. However, the quality of the interior is not up the same standard as the competition, and several examples we have driven have had rattles surprisingly early in their lives.


Safety and Security

The more expensive models in the range come with twin front airbags, but they are an optional extra on lesser models, as are side airbags. Anti-lock brakes are standard on all except entry-level cars. Although deadlocks aren't fitted to all versions as standard, thieves will have a difficult time driving a Corsa away.

• 
  Urban 28.8
  Extra Urban 49.6
  Combined 39.2
  Tank Capacity 10
  CO2 Rating 168
  Insurance Group 5
  Typical Quote 298
  Retained Value 44.682
  Contract Hire Rate 238
  Cost per mile 31.8
  Service Cost 741
  Servicing 20,000
  Warranty 3yr/60 000 + 6yr Perforation + 3yr Breakdown
  

Well laid out, but tight for taller drivers Decent boot but cabin cramped for four adults Standard kit is miserly despite recent face-lift
Behind the Wheel

Good rearward visibility makes parking simple, but thick windscreen pillars obscure too much of the road ahead. The driving position is not best suited to taller drivers, while height adjustment for the steering wheel is only an option on most models. However, key controls are close to the driver. Large door bins and a centre cubby aid storage.


Space and Practicality

While rivals have grown inside, the cramped Corsa is little bigger than its predecessor, and is off the pace in this class. It still feels tight when asked to accommodate four adults. The boot is a good size and the rear seats split to give more practicality and capacity. However, they cannot be folded completely flat, which hampers attempts to carry large loads.


Equipment

Lesser models are poorly equipped with too many of the basic items left on the options list. At least power steering and a three-point centre rear seatbelt are found in every Corsa. However, even top-specification models seem scantily provided for next to their main rivals.

• 
  Central Locking standard
  Remote Locking standard
  Adjustable Steering Reach not available
  Adjustable Steering Rake standard
  Electric Steering Adjustable not available
  Seat Height Adjustable standard
  Power Seats Adjustable not available
  Air Conditioning standard
  Climate Control price unavailable
  Seat Belt Tensioners standard
  Driver Airbag standard
  Passenger Airbag standard
  Side Airbag 300
  Side Impactbars standard
  Centre 3 Pointbelt standard
  Traction Control not available
  Antilock Brakes standard
  Auto Gearbox not available
  Alloywheels standard
  Deadlocks standard
  Immobiliser standard
  Alarm standard
  Visible Vin standard
  Secure Spare Wheel standard
  Marked Parts standard
  Etched Windows no data
  Satellite Navigation 1100
  Handsfree Phone 236
  Leather Seats 995
  Locking Wheelnuts standard
  Metallic Paint 325
  Split Fold Rear Seats standard
  Electric Front Windows standard
  Electric Mirrors standard
  Heated Mirrors standard
  Manual Sunroof not available
  Electric Sunroof 350
  Cruise Control 100
  Multi CD 400
  Radio no data
  RDS Radio not available
  Unique Fit Radio standard
  

This is a huge improvement from when they were first ever built and i would have one if it was given to me, don't get me wrong i have driven the 03 new Corsa and enjoyed every minute of it power steering etc i think there a great drive TBH

ilearnt to drive in abrand new corsa and i hated it. it was so uncomfortable . im stickin to my lil old corsa now they are good lil cars! although my mum is gettin a brand new black 1.8 sri corsa so i mite just borrow it for awhile!

i'm currently learnin to drive in a 1.2 corsa and i think its a great car to learn in but obviously i havent got anything to compare it to but its a great car and has made me want one (after my metro)

My brother has also got a 1.8 SRI

gonna b controversial.

the corsa is an ok car. thats it.

as exitin as an evenin with your mums x boyfriend and shares the looks of chowowa after 1 2 many face lifts. it aint bad but defo mr1 corsa 4 me

I prefare this shape to the old ones. Was never a fan of the old style.

I would have one. Its also what I will be having my driving lessons in

do prefer the new shape would def hav one think there a def inprovement to the old shape. alot nippier an the fuel econemy on them are great me an me mate went to shef an bk on 10quid great run around an endless list of parts for modifications

I have one of these, a 1.2 SXi.
in low revs it has no grunt, its powerless, but as it hits 4000revs it have a surge of power and picks up speed pretty rapid for a 1.2, it hardly ever understeers or oversteers and feels so safe to drive.

just before I bought my first corsa C I went to look at a saxo and the doors where that thin I didnt feel safe in it but the corsa doors are quite thick and it still more spacious inside. Passanger airbag and ABS as standard, safety 1st.

I think the 1.2 SXi is the best car in its class overall, and them 1.8 and 1.7cdti's dont half shift, but they should have done a 2.0L or a turbo version in the 1.8, and challanged the clio sports.

i had a 1.4 2004 SRi on the vauxhall scheme for the past 9 months, very nippy, looked very nice, good fuel economy only problem was space inside, felt very cramped after being in other bigger cars

Two of my mates have a 1.2 SXI and the other has a 1.4 SRI.

The 1.2 SXI is faster... we raced them up a hill ... a good 1/4 mile and the 1.2 won with ease.

I drove the 1.4 SRI afterwards and it was aweful ... no power until around 4500rpm then it kinda gave a small kick then died again ... pathetic. it's not worthy of the mighty griffin badge!!! lol

My Sisters have two 1.2 sxi's and i have the 1.4 sxi and i think mine is alot quicker.
That extra 10-12 bhp makes the difference.

Smaller engines have flatter torque curves if im not mistaken? So they pull easier at low revs uphill.
Wheras big engines have torque curves that need higher revs to pull uphill???

I think thats it anyway. Im not sayin a 1.0 will beat a 2.0 turbo uphill but 1.2-1.4 u may see it happen?

Vauxhall are so stingey with their add-ons, the Astra 888 was top of the range model, and came with 'electric windows, sunroof, and racing seats'.

I learnt in a Corsa (one a 1.4 and the other a 1.6), I had no problem with them, I really like the look of the old ones, they haven't really aged that badly. New ones look too much like a baby Focus.

They are bringing out a 1.8 or 2.0 turbo'd one with over 200bhp, (Corsa OPC or something)...

U are joking arent u?

I raced my mates 1.4 SRI Corsa up a 30degree incline (approx 30 degree) ... and i obliterated him ... completely blew him off the road.

The Corsa OPC is a 1.6 16v Turbo (Z16 LET) and will deliver 175bhp. Scramble to 60 in 7secs flat and top around 140mph.