Vauxhall Corsa review (2006 - 2013)
Vauxhall Corsa cars for sale
3.0
Expert review
Pros
Good value as a used car
Practical for its size
Lots of models and specs to choose from
Cons
Lacks the badge appeal of a VW Polo
Some examples do without air conditioning
Underpowered 1.0-litre engine
The CarGurus verdict
Many turn their nose up at a Corsa, because it doesn’t have the premium appeal of a Volkswagen Polo or the fine handling of a Ford Fiesta. It shouldn’t be overlooked, though, especially if you’re on a budget; a good used example can be a sensible, honest, and practical car that’s ideal for families or commuters.
Because there’s such variety to the line-up, it’s easy to find one that suits your needs. The extensive Vauxhall dealer network and the car’s uncomplicated nature also means it’s just as easy to maintain a Corsa.
The VXR is an interesting hot hatch option, too, and offers serious punch and a fun driving experience. It doesn’t handle as well as a Renault Clio Renaultsport, nor is it as talented as the later turbocharged Ford Fiesta ST, but – as is the case with the standard car and its contemporaries – it’s often far more affordable.
What is the Vauxhall Corsa?
The Vauxhall Corsa has long been the go-to choice for those seeking a straightforward, inexpensive, and economical family hatchback, and this, the fourth-generation model – dubbed the Corsa D – was unveiled in 2006.
You might not recall seeing three previous generations of Corsa here in the UK, and there’s a good reason for that. The first Corsa, as it was known in the rest of Europe, which ran between 1982 and 1993, was sold in the UK, but it was called the Nova.
When it was new, this version went head-to-head with top sellers such as the Ford Fiesta and the Volkswagen Polo, along with alternatives such as the Seat Ibiza and the Fiat Punto. Its successor was launched in 2014.
How practical is it?
The Corsa was sold in both three- and five-door forms and, to further its appeal, the interior trims and materials were improved over those of the previous version to deliver a higher-quality feel.
This generation marked a big change for the long-running compact hatchback. It was an all-new car that was larger than its predecessor, granting it improved interior space and accessibility without excessively increasing its footprint.
It has a 285-litre boot, which was a good amount of space for a supermini of the time, and certain models were available with extra storage space beneath the boot floor.
What's it like to drive?
No conventional Corsa has ever been as good to drive as a Ford Fiesta or a Mazda2 but, bland steering and underpowered 1.0-litre engine aside, it is serviceable and safe. The Corsa is also comfortable, with space for four.
Those looking for something more involving to drive have the option of the high-performance Vauxhall Corsa VXR, which packs 189bhp and a series of sporty upgrades, that make for an exciting and capable hot hatchback.
Technology, equipment & infotainment
The Corsa was initially available with five trim levels: Expression, Life, Club, SXi and Design. The Expression model came with features such as anti-lock brakes, speed-sensitive power steering, and electric mirrors, but jumping up to Design added the likes of air conditioning, alloy wheels, automatic lights, and smarter interior trim.
The range was continually fettled throughout the Corsa’s life. Sporty SRi and high-performance VXR versions were added in 2007 and, in 2010, the engines were refined and a facelift sharpened up the looks.
Vauxhall Corsa running costs
The Corsa was designed to be a cost-effective hatchback, meaning that – aside from the high-performance VXR – all versions are cheap to run.
Take the common 1.2-litre petrol version. An early Club version, offered from 2006-2010, is inexpensive to tax and has a claimed fuel economy figure of 48.7mpg. It’ll also only need servicing, as is the case with other Corsas, yearly or every 20,000 miles.
Unsurprisingly, you’ll be hard pressed to get near the official fuel economy figure in the real world, but most owners report in the region of 40mpg. Achieve that and, as every Corsa has a 45-litre tank, you’ll cover some 400 miles between refills.
You could stand to save some money with a diesel if your mileage is high enough, because even the earliest 74bhp 1.3 CDTi Corsa was claimed to average an impressive 62.8mpg. Driven gently, expect an mpg figure close to 60 in the real world. Many of the later and cleaner diesel variants also benefit from far lower VED costs, too.
The only downside is that the diesel engines are more complicated and, should a problem develop, any savings could quickly be whittled away by repair costs, so do the maths to see if your mileage is high enough to justify a diesel. Consumables, such as brakes and tyres, are relatively cheap.
There’s more good news: many engines in the Corsa line-up use a timing chain instead of a belt, which avoids the need for a big service every few years. This further helps keep costs down and, usefully, makes buying a used example less of a gamble. Just remember to check what’s required for the car you’re looking at, and then make sure the required servicing has been done.
Vauxhall Corsa reliability
Reliability can be a little patchy, particularly if the Corsa in question is older and has been neglected. Even when it was relatively new, it often scored middling results for reliability.
Make sure everything works, that nothing leaks, and that the cabin is dry. Check the likes of brake and tyre wear, especially if you’re looking at the cheaper end of the market. As always, you’ll also want to get a history check on any prospective purchase.
There have been numerous recalls on this generation of Corsa, so it’s worth using the government recall checker website to see if any apply to the car you’re looking at. You can then check the history or talk to a dealer to see what has been attended to, and what, if anything, might still need doing. In 2008, for example, there were recalls for a potential airbag issue, a fire hazard, and an problem with the brake pedal.
- The aforementioned 2010 facelift was a big one, and included new headlights, a chrome grille, new exterior colours – among them lime green – an optional 5.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a refreshed interior to bring the Corsa in line with then-new Vauxhalls. These cars also continued to benefit from suspension revisions designed to improve their handling, which formed part of an update in November 2009.
- The first high-performance Corsa VXR arrived in 2007, and featured a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine that produced a stout 189bhp, and was good for 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds. It also received bespoke VXR exterior and interior upgrades, as well as uprated brakes and suspension. Like the standard Corsa, the VXR was easy to drive and to live with. Enthusiasts usually prefer the way a hot Clio or Fiesta drives, but the Corsa VXR is often cheaper to buy.
- Seven engine options were offered when the Vauxhall was launched. The entry-level option was a 58bhp 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol. Customers could also opt for four-cylinder 79bhp 1.2 or 89bhp 1.4-litre petrol engines, as well as a more powerful 148bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol. There were also two 1.3-litre diesels, producing 74bhp and 89bhp, and a more powerful 123bhp 1.7-litre diesel. This line-up wouldn’t change much over the years, but the engines would all receive minor improvements over time, and the range would later be topped by the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine found in the VXR.
- The best all-rounder: We’d go for a version with the economical, low-maintenance 1.2-litre petrol engine. A five-door is more practical, and we’d seek out a model with air conditioning. If you’re looking at early Corsas, you’d need at least a Design model, which will also benefit from 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, and automatic headlights.
- If you want the best mpg: The early diesels are a good option for those on a budget, but the later ecoFLEX diesels with start-stop technology are more economical and cleaner. Get your hands on a 2010-on CDTi ecoFLEX, as a case in point, and it’ll average a claimed 80.7mpg in lightest three-door form and cost nothing to tax.
- If you’re on a budget: The least expensive model in the Corsa range was initially the three-door Expression with the 1.0-litre engine. It didn’t even have front electric windows, so there’s not much to go wrong if you’re looking at inexpensive used examples. Stick to the petrols if you want a dirt cheap Corsa, but buy a well-maintained example to avoid costly repairs.
- The sporty models: The SRi and SXi versions of the Corsa feature sports suspension, which makes them a bit more entertaining to drive. A range of engines was also available, which makes them a good choice for those looking to balance economy and fun. None have particularly good steering, though, so you’ll have to opt for the range-topping VXR if you want a truly engaging experience.
