New Vauxhall Corsa review: Has Britain's best-selling small car become better?

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Vauxhall's Corsa hatchback is Britain's best-selling supermini and I've been driving the latest model – both petrol and electric power – in its 40th anniversary year.

Amazingly, over five generations [if you count the Nova launched in the UK in 1982, that is], it's been around for a third of the entire life of the Vauxhall brand, which is this year celebrating its 120th birthday.

Bosses have treated the nation's favourite small car with a mid-life facelift - be it a fairly comprehensive one to make some big changes since it was launched back in 2019.

But do these upgrades and tweaks keep it at the top of the pile for Britons wanting a solid five-seat compact hatchback? And is the Corsa Electric really worth the huge premium over the basic petrol version?

Vauxhall has given the latest Corsa a thorough mid-life overhaul. But is the Corsa Electric (left) really worth twice the price of the entry petrol (right)? We've tested both to find out...

The mid-cycle update has seen the Corsa range become simplified with three trim levels - entry-level Design, GS, and Ultimate – and a choice of three petrol engines and two electric motors. 

It's also been made chrome-free, has a new fully digital cockpit and refreshed alloy wheel designs.

The touchscreen infotainment screen size has been upped to 10-inches, while the tech powering it has also been given a revamp.

What's the petrol Corsa like to drive?

What proved a particular unexpected delight was getting behind the wheel of the perky new Corsa GS 1.2-litre Turbo petrol.

For reference, Vauxhall has ceased selling the Corsa with a diesel engine, so that's no longer an option for UK buyers. 

Our man was overjoyed to test the 1.2-litre petrol that's without keyless tech, a push-button ignition and automatic gearbox. It is a back to basics motor with a six-speed manual transmission and a physical key

Having been the best-selling supermini of 2021 (and the outright most bought new car in Britain) and 2022, Corsa is on track to repeat the feat this year

After spending so much time driving many of the latest modern hi-tech cars with whizzy 'start' buttons to fire up the engine or electric motor and engage automatic transmissions with steering wheel paddles to change gear, it took me a moment to re-orientate myself with controls that return to something resembling convention.

For my car had...a key. A physical key. One that you slot into the ignition switch on the dashboard and turn to start the car. What a delight! And a relief to potential buyers scared witless about the ongoing keyless vehicle crimewave!

Then it was my foot on the clutch to put the manual stick-shift into first gear. The joy of six gears left me in fourth-generation Corsa heaven and brought a real smile to my face.

Now I appreciate there are many people out there still driving older or entry-level vehicles for whom this is quite a normal everyday experience. 

Well, savour it. Like I did. Because the trend is away from that. 

Few new cars have a manual gearbox - especially with the move towards electric. 

So, the act of physically changing gear may soon become a lost art. In fact, the latest DVSA stats show that one in five driving tests are now for an automatic-only licence - that's compared to just one in 20 a decade ago.

And it's not just new motorists who want autos; searches for cars with automatic transmissions have risen from 9.9 per cent in 2014 to 18.6 per cent this year, the AA recently found.

The fact that it took me a few seconds to find myself was warning enough. 

But what great, tactile fun. It really is engaging with the car in a way that driving an automatic – or even a paddle shift - cannot deliver.

The mid-spec GS trim riding on 17-inch wheels with its fuel-sipping 100 horsepower 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine cost £23,605 - including £700 for the fetching Crimson Red premium two-tone metallic paint with black roof.

It's a enjoyable, simple and relatively raw to drive, with acceleration from 0-to-62mph in an adequate 9.9 second up to a top speed of 120mph - which is more than you could ever need.

Ray says the manual petrol Corsa is great, tactile fun. 'It really is engaging with the car in a way that driving an automatic – or even a paddle shift - cannot deliver'

CO2 emissions are relatively low at between 114g to 117g/km with cash-saving fuel economy of up to 55.4mpg

The id-life upgrade has seen the Corsa get a new fully digital cockpit and refreshed alloy wheel designs. The touchscreen infotainment screen size has been upped to 10-inches, while the tech powering it has also been given a revamp

‹ Slide me ›

Boot capacity for the petrol Corsa is 309 litres with the seats up. That's far from class leading. The Renault Clio, for example, offers up to 391 litres of space. Fold the rear seat backrests down and there's 1,118 litres of loading room

CO2 emissions are relatively low at between 114g to 117g/km with cash-saving fuel economy of up to 55.4mpg.

An 8-speed automatic version is also available at a premium, in this case pushing the retail price (which hardly anyone ever pays, given how discount-happy Vauxhall dealers are) to £25,606.

The petrol range starts from £19,625 for the 75 horsepower 1.2-litre Corsa up to £28,385 for the bells-and-whistles 130 horsepower 1.2-litre turbo automatic.

A hybrid model will arrive in time for the new year, Vauxhall says. 

Is the Corsa Electric just as impressive then? 

Having tried the 1.2-litre petrol Corsa, Ray also took a spin in the upgraded Corsa Electric

You notice immediately a significant boost from the extra oomph of power. 'It accelerated briskly and silently from rest to 62mph in a whizzy 8.2 seconds, which felt dramatically faster than the 1.7 seconds gulf to the 1.2 petrol I drove before it'

The most important performance state of all is its claimed range of 246 miles. This should be good for long distance trips as well as local runs or urban commuting

Vauxhall also put on a selection of the battery-only Corsas for me to try.

I took to the wheel of the zero-emission 156 horsepower (115kWh) Corsa Electric in top of the range Ultimate long-range trim.

You notice immediately a significant boost from the extra oomph of power. 

It accelerated briskly and silently from rest to 62mph in a whizzy 8.2 seconds, which felt dramatically faster than the 1.7 seconds gulf to the 1.2 petrol I drove before it. 

Top speed - where legal [essentially he German Autobahn] - is 93mph. 

Yet, the most important performance state of all is its claimed range of 246 miles. This should be good for long distance trips as well as local runs or urban commuting - the latter two cases where the Corsa is most commonly operating in the hands of its British owners.

Charging to 80 per cent takes just 30 minutes on a 100kW DC fast charger. However, expect 5 hours 15 minutes for a full charge on a domestic 11kW AC charger, and 7 hours 30 minutes with a 7kW version.

While it certainly has its performance and frugality benefits over the petrol model, this comes at a cost. And a big one! The top of the range Corsa Electric costs the same as a BMW 3 Series

While it certainly has its performance and frugality benefits over the petrol model, this comes at a cost. And a big one!

READ MORE: Dealers increase discounts on new EVs by 323% in a year in a desperate bid to boost sales - these 12 electric cars have had their prices slashed 

The price of the car I tested was a hefty £39,285 including £700 for metallic paint. Ouch! That's almost as much as a base-level BMW 3 Series saloon [which starts from £40,205 for the 320i petrol].

Vauxhall says this can be mitigated with their competitive PCP (personal contract purchase) finance deals on offer, and that the savings made by switching to electric can make up for the extra cost of purchase. 

There's also the fact that dealers are slashing thousands of pounds off the price of new EVs currently - with Stellantis, Vauxhall's parent company, notably offering the biggest discounts. It means there is little chance of anyone paying the range-topping near-£40k RRP for a battery Corsa. 

The cheapest model in the electric range starts from £32,445 for the less powerful 136 horsepower version - which is still a sizable price tag for a small vehicle.

Cars and Motoring verdict: Is the Corsa Electric worth the massive premium over petrol?

Daily Mail Motoring Editor, Ray Massey, says the Corsa's improvements should keep it at the top of the supermini pops for the next few years

The revised Corsa has certainly got sharper looks both inside and out that - in my eyes - is a drastic improvement over the drab-looking outgoing car. 

It has acquired the modern 'Vizor' face that now adorns the Vauxhall range, and this has made it all the more handsome.

The simplified range makes it a far less confusing option for buyers, too. And with the average age of Corsa buyers dropping, this off-the-shelf style retail tactic should help make it more appealing.

Entry level pricing for the petrol variants makes it a good option for those on a budget, looking for a second car that won't break the bank, or seeking a new starter car for a son or daughter that won't leave them feeling embarrassed among their peers.

However, the electric version comes with a steep price tag, to say the very least. 

Is it worth double the cost of the petrol just to boast about its eco credentials? That's a very hard sell from a financial standpoint, and given the low running and ownership costs of the petrol, a difficult proposition to put to any motorist - especially younger drivers, for whom the Corsa is largely targeted.

And the Corsa Electric is at risk of keenly priced rivals coming into the market, particularly EVs from China, which is aggressively targeting this sector.

The option to spread the load with PCP finance contracts - starting from around £250 plus deposit - is a smart move to target retail buyers. But this won't be attractive to everyone - and others will be able to better this with more affordable finance packages.

Inside, Vauxhall says it has 'detoxified' the interior styling, with a cleaner dashboard and less clutter. There are screens. But it still retains buttons and knobs for vital and safety critical functions, which is a very good thing.

Once the new facelifted car starts rolling off production lines and into showrooms, it is certainly in with a good chance to retain its crown.

But as with many rival claims to the motor industry monarchy, it will be a battle royal.

Vauxhall Corsa through the years 

Nova (1982-1993)

The Corsa bloodline dates back to the Nova, which first arrived in the UK in 1982

Vauxhall’s first supermini offering was called Nova, not Corsa, and launched in the UK in 1982.

First-generation Corsa B (1993-2000)

The Corsa B, which came in 1993, debuted the model moniker that has since become a household - or driveway - name

It wasn’t until 1993 that British buyers saw the Nova's replacement, known as ‘Corsa’, which came equipped with the latest in high-tech kit, such as a tape player (!) – a world apart from the latest Corsa’s new 10-inch screens.

This first Corsa was designed to appeal to a broader audience. A much rounder, softer design was created, with ‘saucer-eye’ headlamps to tie in with its cute looks. 

It was longer and more spacious than the Nova, and also introducing higher safety standards for its segment, with features such as ABS braking, side-impact protection and front airbags. The petrol GSi model featured 16 valves, while the diesel engine version became turbocharged.

Second-generation Corsa C (2000-2006)

The second-gen Corsa C was a roaring sales success, with the styling appealing to a younger audience

Styling for this generation of Vauxhall Corsa was not too far removed from the popular previous model, though the updates saw it appeal to a much younger audience. 

The model also grew in length again, and had a wider stance with a longer wheelbase, which greatly increased interior space. 

For the first time, the body was fully galvanised, while a sophisticated four-valve 'Ecotec' petrol and new direct-injection turbo diesel engine option ensured greater power, lower fuel consumption and low emission values, complying with Euro 4 emissions standards.

Third generation Corsa D (2006-2014)

Around 2006 is when the Ford Fiesta's stronghold on the market emerged. The Corsa D, which wasn't as good to drive as the Fiesta, had its work cut out

Vauxhall began to separate out design language for three and five-door models, with the smaller car giving nods to the earlier Nova’s sporty appearance. 

The five-door car became a spacious, family-focused car while the sleeker three-door was a firm favourite among boy racer types (especially the hot VXR variant that arrived in 2007). 

The model grew in length again, but not exceeding four metres in length. 

This version of the car gained ecoFlex technology with fuel-saving Start/Stop systems and highly efficient engines.

Fourth generation Corsa E (2014-2019)

Sharper looks and new tech still couldn't see the Corsa match the Fiesta on sales through the fourth-generation model's existence

More dynamic, practical and stylish, was Vauxhall's aim for this generation of Corsa. 

A heated steering wheel, heated seats and automatic climate control were available, along with a front camera with sensors, Traffic Sign Recognition and Lane Keep Assist. 

The infotainment system brought with it Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 7-inch touch screen became standard. 

Fifth generation Corsa (2019–present)

The current Corsa, the first with electric power as an option, has been close to - if not at the top - of UK sales charts since it emerged. Can the facelift improve on this?

The latest generation of Corsa featured a fully electric powertrain for the first time, in addition to petrol and diesel-powered engines - the latter since being dropped. 

For the first time in the small car segment, the Corsa introduced adaptive glare-free IntelliLux LED matrix lighting, as well as other state-of-the-art features such as Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking and radar-based Adaptive Speed Control. 

The Corsa’s handling was improved with a lower centre of gravity, while the driver’s H-point has lowered by 28mm, giving a more engaged feel behind the wheel. 

A coupe-like profile has been achieved with a 48mm-lower roofline, yet front passenger headroom was actually increased.

Source: Vauxhall