Review: Vauxhall Corsa (2006 – 2014)

Vauxhall Corsa (2006 – 2014): At A Glance

• Insurance Groups are between 1–34
• On average it achieves 82% of the official MPG figure

Vauxhall Corsa (2006 – 2014): What's It Like Inside?

• Boot space is 285–1100 litres

Dimensions
Length	3999 mm
Width	1713–1944 mm
Height	1488 mm
Wheelbase	2511 mm
Full specifications

The dashboard and instruments are clearly and neatly laid out inside, but the top of the central section that extends to the dash top reflects in the steeply raked screen. Much more so in the Club where it is edged with a brushed alloy trim strip. And I liked some of the convenience features like the thumb-tab volume adjustment for the radio on the steering wheel.

Round the back, there's a two-tier boot. A top floor, level with the sill, then a suitcase-sized, rectangular space underneath, and underneath that, joy of joys, a full-sized spare wheel.

What's the Vauxhall Corsa (2006 – 2014) like to drive?

• Engines range from 1.0 12v to 1.7 CDTi
• Readers report Real MPG to be between 24–79 mpg

Under the bonnet of the two cars I drove throbbed an engine hidden under a big plastic cover badged ‘Ecotec', which is in fact the same excellent 1,248cc Multijet diesel as used in a multitude of FIATs. And underneath, of corsa, it's the same basic structure as the FIAT Grande Punto. But compare the two side by side and they're not really repanelled clones. Even the bulkhead structure is different.

I did more than 500 miles in a specced up 90PS Design model 5 door with a list price of £13,247 (discounts to £10,954). Then rather less distance in a 75PS 3-door Club with a/c, also with extras, that lists at £10,947 (discounts to £9,273).

The gearchange is good: 6 ratios with the 90 and 5 with the 75. But to perform the near miracle of hauling this 1,025kg - 1,244kg car along at motorway speeds you suffer an inevitable lack of torque at low revs when the turbo has spooled down. Not a disaster by any means, but it can catch you out occasionally accelerating out of roundabouts where you want enough torque to pull it through in 3rd but may be forced to use 2nd. However you forgive it when first fill it up. As long as the delivery driver and I both brimmed the tank the same, I got a staggering 57.72mpg, the best economy figure I have ever achieved in any car.

Push the car on corners and it grips and handles well. But the speed sensitive steering seems to have been designed for the generation who learned to drive on computer games. It's certainly quick, and accurate, but alternates between light and not so light while any ‘road feel' you get from it seems entirely fake. It's almost as if someone's hands clamp around the steering column to give the impression of weight.

I actually preferred the slightly lower-spec Club 75bhp diesel. The 3 door is much more sporty looking, too. And it seemed to steer better with more ‘feel' and less artificial stickiness.

Ignore the list prices (which are calculated to be discounted) and the new Corsa is decent value for money. After all £9,273 isn't much for a well-built, 60mpg diesel with plenty of street cred. And the £155 optional slide-out bicycle carrier is the neatest solution for carrying bikes on the back that I have ever seen.

Engine	MPG	0-62	CO2
1.0 12v	50 mpg	-	134 g/km
1.0 ecoFLEX	55 mpg	18.2 s	120 g/km
1.2 16V	46–51 mpg	13.9 s	129–146 g/km
1.2 16V Automatic	53 mpg	14.9 s	125 g/km
1.2 16V Easytronic	53 mpg	14.9 s	125 g/km
1.2 16V ecoFLEX	55 mpg	13.6–13.9 s	117–119 g/km
1.3 CDTi	59 mpg	-	127 g/km
1.3 CDTi 75 ecoFLEX	67–74 mpg	14.9 s	100–112 g/km
1.3 CDTi 95 ecoFLEX	64–86 mpg	12.3 s	88–115 g/km
1.3 CDTi ecoFlex	66 mpg	-	114 g/km
1.3 CDTi ecoFLEX	63–74 mpg	12.3–14.9 s	100–119 g/km
1.4 16V	46–51 mpg	11.9 s	129–146 g/km
1.4 16V Automatic	45–46 mpg	13.9 s	143–147 g/km
1.4i Turbo	51 mpg	10.3 s	129 g/km
1.6 16V Turbo	36 mpg	-	189 g/km
1.7 CDTi	58–63 mpg	9.5 s	118–132 g/km
VXR	36–39 mpg	6.5–6.8 s	172–190 g/km

Real MPG average for a Vauxhall Corsa (2006 – 2014)

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

What have we been asked about the Vauxhall Corsa (2006 – 2014)?

Every day we're asked hundreds of questions from car buyers and owners through Ask Honest John. Our team of experts, including the nation's favourite motoring agony uncle - Honest John himself - answer queries and conudrums ranging from what car to buy to how to care for it as an owner. If you could do with a spot of friendly advice before buying you're next car, get in touch and we'll do what we can to help.