Vauxhall Corsa review
The Vauxhall Corsa is a stylish, cheap-to-run, and great-to-drive supermini that has been one of Britain’s favourite cars for decades.
Author: Charlie Harvey
18th Dec 2025 – 8 mins read
The Vauxhall Corsa has been a fixture on UK roads for what feels like forever, and there's a very good reason for that. It’s always offered drivers a brilliant combination of low-cost, hassle-free motoring in a stylish and practical package. The latest, sixth-generation model is the best one yet, taking a huge leap forward in style, technology, and driving enjoyment. This is the first Corsa developed under the ownership of Peugeot and Citroen's parent company, and it shares a lot of its parts with the excellent Peugeot 208. This is great news, as it means the Corsa is now more advanced and much better to drive than ever before. It's lighter, more efficient, and comes with the option of a fully electric version. It’s a fantastic all-rounder that proves why the Corsa is still one of the UK's best-selling cars.
Pros
- Stylish and modern looks
- Very cheap to run with efficient engines
- Much better to drive than previous models
Cons
- The interior design is a bit uninspiring
- Some rivals are more spacious in the back
- High-spec versions can get quite expensive
Interior
Dashboard & tech
The interior of the latest Corsa is a huge improvement over its predecessors. The design is clean and modern, and while it might not have the futuristic flair of its sibling, the Peugeot 208, it’s a very sensible and user-friendly layout. All the controls are logically placed and easy to get to grips with.
Most models come with a seven-inch touchscreen as standard, which handles all your media and smartphone connectivity needs. The quality of the materials has been improved, and while it’s not as premium as some rivals, it feels solid and well put together. It’s a pleasant and functional place to spend time.
Comfort
The Corsa is a comfortable car for everyday driving. The ride is well-judged, doing a good job of soaking up bumps and potholes without feeling too floaty. It's a car that feels settled and composed, whether you're nipping around town or cruising on the motorway.
The driving position is good, with plenty of adjustment to help you get comfortable. It's an easy and relaxing car to drive, with light controls that make manoeuvring in tight spaces a doddle. For a small car, it's surprisingly refined on longer journeys.
Quality
The quality of the Corsa’s cabin is a big step up. It feels much more solid and durable than previous versions, and there’s a greater use of higher-quality materials, especially on top-spec models. It feels like a car that has been built to last and withstand the rigours of daily life.
While it might not have the premium feel of an Audi A1 or a MINI, it’s on par with key rivals like the Ford Fiesta. Everything feels well screwed together, with no annoying squeaks or rattles.
Practicality & boot space
Interior space
The latest Corsa is only available as a five-door, which immediately makes it a more practical choice for anyone who regularly needs to use the back seats. Getting in and out is easy, and it’s a big help if you’re fitting child seats.
However, space in the back isn't one of the Corsa's strongest points. While children will be perfectly happy, adults might find legroom a bit tight on longer journeys. Rivals like the SEAT Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo are more spacious in the rear. Up front, however, there's plenty of room for the driver and passenger to get comfortable.
Boot space
The boot in the new Corsa is a very useful size. At 309 litres, it’s bigger than the previous model and slightly larger than the one in the Ford Fiesta. It’s not as big as the class-leading boot in the Renault Clio, but it's a good, square shape that will easily swallow a weekly shop, a pushchair, or luggage for a weekend away. It’s a very practical boot for a supermini.
Driving
Driving experience
This is where the latest Corsa really shines. It’s much better to drive than any Corsa that has come before it. It feels agile, responsive, and composed on the road, with steering that is light but accurate. It handles corners with confidence and grips the road well, making it a genuinely pleasing car to drive.
It’s not quite as fun as the Ford Fiesta, which remains the benchmark for driving enjoyment in this class, but it’s not far behind. The manual gearbox can feel a little vague, but overall, it’s a car that manages to be both comfortable for commuting and enjoyable on a twisty road.
Performance
The Corsa offers an excellent range of powertrains, with petrol, diesel, and fully electric options. The petrol range is based around a brilliant 1.2-litre engine. There’s a 74bhp non-turbo version which is ideal for new drivers, and a 99bhp turbocharged version which is the sweet spot in the range, offering a great mix of punchy performance and good economy.
A single 101bhp 1.5-litre diesel is available for high-mileage drivers. The all-electric Corsa-e is the quickest of the lot, with its 134bhp electric motor providing instant acceleration. It offers a great real-world range, making it a fantastic choice for zero-emission motoring.
Running costs
Fuel economy & charging
Whichever Corsa you choose, it will be an affordable car to run. The 1.2-litre petrol engines can officially return over 50mpg, while the diesel is even more frugal, capable of over 70mpg.
The Corsa-e will be by far the cheapest to run day-to-day. Charging at home costs a fraction of filling up with petrol or diesel, and it’s exempt from road tax and congestion charges. It has an official range of up to 209 miles, and a full charge from a home wallbox takes around 7.5 hours.
Value for money
The Corsa has always been about offering great value, and this latest model continues that tradition. It’s competitively priced against rivals like the Ford Fiesta and Renault Clio, and comes with a good amount of standard equipment. High-spec models can get quite expensive, though. Corsas have never held their value particularly well, which is great news for used car buyers as it means you can find some fantastic deals on nearly-new models.
Reliability & Warranty
Because this Corsa is based on proven parts from the wider Peugeot-Citroen group, it should prove to be a reliable choice. From new, all Vauxhalls come with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, which provides good peace of mind when buying a nearly-new model. The battery in the Corsa-e is covered by a separate, eight-year warranty.
Safety
Safety features
When this generation of Corsa was crash-tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP in 2019, it was awarded a four-star rating. It performed well but was marked down slightly for the protection it offers adult rear-seat passengers in a side impact.
However, all models come with a good level of safety kit, including cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. Higher-spec models add more advanced features like Matrix LED headlights, which are a brilliant bit of technology usually found on much more expensive cars.
Trims & Engines
Trim levels
The Corsa is available in a wide range of trims, so there’s something for everyone.
SE: The entry-level model is well-equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, a seven-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and cruise control.
SRi: This popular trim gives the Corsa a sporty look with a contrasting black roof, larger alloy wheels, and sports seats.
Elite Nav: This trim focuses on luxury and technology, adding features like satellite navigation, a reversing camera, and heated seats.
Ultimate Nav: The top-of-the-range model is packed with every conceivable feature, including a larger 10-inch touchscreen, Matrix LED headlights, and adaptive cruise control.
Engines
The Corsa has one of the best engine choices in its class.
1.2-litre Petrol: A 74bhp non-turbo engine, perfect for new drivers.1.2-litre Turbo Petrol: The pick of the range, this turbocharged engine produces 99bhp and is available with a manual or automatic gearbox.1.5-litre Turbo Diesel: An efficient 101bhp diesel engine for those who cover a lot of motorway miles.Corsa-e: The all-electric version. It has a 134bhp electric motor and a 50kWh battery, giving it a range of up to 209 miles.