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Vauxhall Corsa (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)
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Vauxhall Corsa
4:26pm Thursday 12th November 2009
Overall
rating: 4 stars
Bigger and better than the previous generation Corsa in pretty much every regard, Vauxhall hopes this one will appeal more strongly to younger and more affluent buyers.
The styling certainly helps to set it apart from the crowd, with the Corsa adopting much of the handsome, distinctive design language that originated in the current Vauxhall Astra. The sporty three-door version has a lower roofline and a "coupe-like" glass profile, while the slightly taller five-door looks more conservative. Both benefit from well-finished cabins and strong standard equipment.
The multi-adjustable driving position is good and both front seat occupants enjoy plenty of space, although the driver's frontal visibility is limited by very thick windscreen pillars. Rear seat occupants are well catered for in the five door, but the high windowline and reduced headroom makes the back of the three-door feel claustrophobic.
Driving dynamics feel very mature. Accurate steering and excellent roadholding make the Corsa an amusing backroad companion, while high-speed motorway refinement is excellent for a car in this segment. The only real complaint is with the very firm suspension settings, which create a very crashy ride over rough urban roads.
A wide variety of engines are available, although the basic 1.0 litre three-cylinder petrol motor will struggle to motivate such a large car, and even the more powerful 1.2 and 1.4 litre petrol engines feel less than brisk. Three diesel motors are also available, a 1.3 in 74 bhp and 88 bhp states of tune, plus a more powerful 123 bhp 1.7, which sounds a bit coarse but less lends the Corsa an impressive turn of speed.
But for proper pace look to the VXR model, which has a 189bhp 1.6 litre turbocharged engine capable of propelling this supermini to 60mph in 6.8 seconds. The shove is actually quite brutal - not something we'd expect from a Corsa - but happily torque steer (which blights many a powerful front-driver) is kept in check. The ride's firmer than you'll find on any other Corsa and this adds an extra element of on-the-limit control, should you decide to have a go at some twisty bits. Incedentally, unlike most purported hot hatches, the VXR's handling was tuned in Britain for our lumpy, disintegrating but often engaging B-roads. As for the looks, well it's Max Power meets Knight Rider - especially if you opt for the imposing Darth Vader-black paintwork we had on our test car. And the interior is a bit Halford's bargain bin; think stick on sports pedals, free-magazine-giveaway dials and a square-edged rally-rep steering wheel with plastic faux aluminium plating. Nice. However, it's all sort of endearing and does suit the car's raucous performance - as long as you don't mind playing the chav. In fact, if you're OK with every hot hatch-driving 17 year old trying to race you away from lights, the VXR model is a surprisingly accomplished drive and an exciting high-end addition to the Corsa range. You'll just have to rediscover your inner boy racer.
What's to like
1) Feeling of quality.
2) The VXR version.
3) Space and refinement.
What's not to like
1) Gutless petrol engines.
2) The three-door feels claustrophobic in the back.
3) Dim witted satnav.
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Vauxhall Corsa
Vauxhall Corsa
Vauxhall Corsa
Vauxhall Corsa
See also
Environment
rating: 3 stars
Low emitting petrol and diesel engines ensure the Corsa is one of the best of the current crop of superminis on the green front. The 1.2 CDTi will become exempt from the London congestion charge from October - excellent, considering it's impressively large cabin and fine motorway manners.
Styling
rating: 4 stars
Handsome and distinctive, although we reckon that the taller five-door version actually looks a bit better than the coupe-like three-door.
Handling
rating: 4 stars
Composed and confidence inspiring, the Corsa drives very well, especially with the optional variable ratio electric power steering.
Comfort
rating: 3 stars
The cabin is a good place to spend time, but the abrasive ride feels too harsh over rough surfaces.
Quality
rating: 4 stars
Solid construction and some nice feeling components from the Astra and Vectra ensure the Corsa feels impressively well screwed together.
Performance
rating: 3 stars
The 1.0 and 1.2 litre petrol engines really lack go - even the 1.4 feels distinctly unrapid. Diesel motors are better, especially the sweet, punchy, 88 bhp 1.3 CTDi. Look to VXR for any real pedigree.
Roominess
rating: 4 stars
One of the most spacious interiors in the supermini segment - four full-sized adults will fit with ease, although the lower roofline of the three-door limits headroom compared with the five-door.
Costs
rating: 5 stars
The Corsa promises to continue to be one of the cheapest cars to run in the UK, thanks to a combination of strong fuel economy, cheap insurance and good value servicing from Vauxhall dealers. 1.3 diesels are impressively frugal, too.
Value
rating: 4 stars
Attractive entry level pricing comes at the cost of the gutless 1.0 litre engine and not much kit, gets pricier towards the top end of the range, but good standard equipment offsets this.
Stereo
rating: 4 stars
ne of the better supermini sound systems, with good quality reproduction throughout the cabin and a range of optional upgrade systems. Full colour satnav looks good, but it's slow witted and hard to program.
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