Ford Fiesta vs Vauxhall Corsa: used car comparison

The Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa superminis are hugely popular in the UK – indeed, they’re the country’s two best-selling cars of any sort. That’s because, despite their small size, they’re very versatile and come in a range of models that offer something for just about everyone.

But which one is the best? Here’s our guide to the Fiesta vs Corsa, looking at how they compare in key areas. We’re looking at the latest versions of both cars – the Fiesta sold new from 2017 and the Corsa sold new from 2019.

They may sit at the more affordable end of the car spectrum, but the Fiesta and Corsa come with lots of technology as standard. Even the most basic models have smartphone connectivity, touchscreen infotainment displays, air con and cruise control. Many models have sat nav, a digital driver’s display and a rear view camera, too. If you want a touch of luxury, the top of the range Fiesta Vignale even has leather seats.

There are other superminis with more interesting and more colourful interiors than the Fiesta or the Corsa. But the insides of both cars look smart, feel solid and comfortable, and are very user-friendly. Both cars’ infotainment systems are responsive and easy to navigate, too.

However, the Fiesta’s display is in a better position, high up on the dashboard, right in the driver’s line of sight. The Corsa’s display is lower on the dashboard, so you may find yourself looking down, away from the road, to see it. The Fiesta’s dashboard shows a bit more design flair, as well.

The Fiesta and Corsa are very closely matched in practicality. Four adults can sit in reasonable comfort on a long journey and five will even fit at a pinch. But the Corsa has more headroom than the Fiesta, so it’s better if you’re on the tall side.

The Corsa is only available with five doors – two on each side, plus the boot lid – which gives easier access to the back seats. The Fiesta is also available with five doors, or three – one on each side, plus the boot lid. The three-door Fiesta is a bit more stylish, but getting into the back seats can be trickier, even though the front seats tilt forwards to aid access. If you prefer a higher seating position, the Fiesta Active (which has an SUV-style makeover) may suit you because it sits higher off the ground.

In the boot, the Corsa has more space than the Fiesta, but the difference only amounts to the size of a shoebox: The Corsa has 309 litres of space to the Fiesta’s 303 litres. In practice, both have enough space for your weekly food shopping or luggage for a short holiday. Both cars’ back seats fold down, creating a usefully larger space, but if you find yourself regularly cramming stuff in, you may want to consider getting a bigger car.

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In many ways there’s not much difference between how it feels to drive the Fiesta and the Corsa. They’re easy, light and smooth, great for nipping around town yet substantial enough to feel safe and stable on motorways. Their small size makes parking a doddle. Both cars are available with a wide selection of petrol and diesel engines which give good acceleration in town and out on the open road. There’s also a choice of manual or automatic gearbox.

If you really enjoy driving, the Fiesta is the better car by a large margin as it’s just so much fun – agile, responsive and engaging in a way few cars can match. Especially the Fiesta’s sporty ST model, which is widely regarded as one of the best hot hatchbacks around.

Both the Fiesta and Corsa are cost-effective to own. They’re very affordable in the first place and are available with a wide range of fuel-efficient petrol and diesel engines.

According to official average figures, petrol Fiestas give 46-57mpg and diesels give 54-65mpg. Petrol Corsas give 45-54mpg and diesels give 62-70mpg. Road tax, insurance and servicing costs are very low across the board.

Unlike the Fiesta, the Corsa is available as a pure electric car. The Corsa-e has a usefully long range of 209 miles and can fully recharge from a 150kW public charger in just 50 minutes.

Safety organisation Euro NCAP gave the Fiesta a full five-star safety rating. The Corsa was given a four-star rating because some advanced safety features are only available on high-spec models, or as an option on other models.

Both cars feel solidly built and should prove to be reliable. In the latest J.D. Power UK Vehicle Dependability Study (an independent customer satisfaction survey), both brands finished in the top half of the table, with Vauxhall ranked sixth and Ford ninth out of 24.

Ford Fiesta

Length: 4040mm

Width: 1941mm (including door mirrors)

Height: 1476mm

Boot space: 303 litres

Vauxhall Corsa

Length: 4060mm

Width: 1960mm (including door mirrors)

Height: 1435mm

Boot space: 309 litres

Only fine margins separate the Ford Fiesta and the Vauxhall Corsa. Which one is right for you depends on what you want from a car. The Corsa is slightly more practical than the Fiesta, more affordable and the electric Corsa-e adds a zero-emissions option that the Fiesta doesn’t offer. On the flip side, the Fiesta has a better infotainment system, costs less to run and is more enjoyable to drive. Both are excellent cars, but the Fiesta is our favourite by the slimmest of margins.

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