Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 82%

The market for cheap, fun superminis has never been more competitive. Dozens of cars vie of the attentions of a wide range of buyers: they have appeal for drivers from teenagers through to pensioners and everyone in between.

The Vauxhall Corsa has been a hit since its launch way back in 1993 thanks to a blend of practicality and low running costs.

But does the latest generation continue the trend? We took to the road in one to find out.

Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling |Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor | Rivals

1. Looks

It's evolution rather than revolution with the Corsa's styling. It's still immediately identifiable as a Corsa, but its new styling brings it bang up to date. The front is framed by a pair of headlights which sweep along the stubby bonnet. The rest of the front has a strong link with the rest of the Vauxhall family, while the rear – especially the rear lights – tips a nod to the Astra. Our Club test car sits around the middle of the range, so does without alloy wheels or fancy bumpers, but looks pretty nonetheless.

8/10

2. Looks inside

The Corsa's cabin has a refreshing air of simplicity about it, even through it feels considerably more upmarket than previous models. The controls look and feel chunky, without falling into the Fisher Price toy trap. Even our mid-spec Club model has a sporty silver centre console and bands around the steering wheel spokes. The dials are remarkably easy to read, with a pleasant orangey glow. Our test car has a clock in the centre of the dash, but higher-spec models have a screen atop the dashboard. There's a funky range of upholstery and dashboard colours too.

8/10

3. Practicality

There's more head, leg and shoulder room than any Corsa before, and space is only inhibited by the sloping roofline at the rear of the car. Vauxhall offers a solution to this in the slightly less attractive five door version, which has a boxier side profile. There are door pockets designed to hold a 1.5-litre drinks bottle, while there's a roomy glovebox and a compartment designed to hold a mobile phone in the centre console. The Corsa's boot is surprisingly capacious, with a false floor allowing rarely used items to be kept out of the way. The floor lifts out and can be stored in the compartment it covers to reveal an additional 135 litres raising the total storage under the parcel shelf to 285 litres. The rear seats split and fold, increasing capacity to 700 litres (to window level) or 1,100 if loaded to the roof. A clever bike rack which pops out of the rear bumper is an innovative option on most models.

8/10

4. Ride and Handling

Vauxhall has proved the competence of the Corsa's chassis with the hot VXR model. Putting a lot of power through a car often reveals otherwise hidden shortcomings; but not here. The standard spec model we tried proved itself worthy on a variety of roads; with only over-light steering spoiling the fun. Body roll is minimal around corners, and only particularly pothole-scarred roads unsettle the baby Vauxhall.

8/10

5. Performance

Despite only packing 74bhp, the 1.3-litre diesel Corsa we tried felt very sprightly; feeling as much at home at motorway speeds as it did around town. That's got a lot to do with 147lb/ft of pulling power which reaches a peak between 1,750 and 2,500rpm, making the engine flexible enough to not require constant gearchanges. There's plenty of poke for overtaking too. Vauxhall make a high power version of the same engine and a 1.7-litre diesel, as well as 1-litre, 1.2, 1.4 and 1.8-litre petrol engines.

8/10

6. Running Costs

According to Vauxhall, our test car can cover an average of 61.4mpg, making it one of the UK's most frugal cars. The Corsa range starts at an impressive £7,495, and the rest of the range is keenly priced. Only the hot VXR model strikes as expensive with its £15,625 price tag. Insurance groups are also very low; starting at group 1 for the 1-litre Expression model. The 1.3-litre model we tested sits in tax Band C, currently costing £100 a year. Corsas need to see the inside of a garage for servicing every year, or 20,000 miles.

10/10

7. Reliability

The Corsa has always been a simple and robust little car, and the latest model seems no different. A lot of its running gear has been around for a while in the Astra, Meriva and Fiat Grande Punto, so should have proven reliability.

8/10

8. Safety

The Vauxhall Corsa has scored a full five star rating in the EuroNCAP crash test programme for adult occupant protection. It also scored three stars for child occupant and pedestrian protection, which is slightly better than average for a supermini. All models feature driver and passenger airbags, while models from the Club version we tested upwards have front side and curtain airbags. The Corsa is the first model to feature double pretensioners on the chest and lap parts of the seat belt to pull the belts tight in the event of a collision. All models have pedals which move away from the driver in a crash to prevent leg injury and brake lights which flash five times per second if the ABS is activated under heavy braking at more than 18mph.

9/10

9. Equipment

Most models in the Corsa range are well appointed, although the entry level 1-litre Expression lacks all but the basics. Our middle range Club model featured optional air-conditioning, a trip computer, shiny interior trim, electric windows and mirrors and remote central locking. Much of the additional bits on our car were extra cost options.

7/10

10. X-Factor

The fact it’s the car of choice for thousands of driving instructors is testament to its ability as an easy-to-drive supermini. The latest model is also more fun to drive than its predecessors, with remarkably low running costs.

8/10

Rivals
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