Review: Vauxhall Corsa (2006 – 2014)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Rating:
Solid and decently equipped. Reasonable handling and some frugal engines.
Boot too narrow for standard size pushchair. Dash reflects in screen. DPF problems with 1.3 CDTi. ECU faults. Fewer faults than a Polo but not as reliable as a Fiesta.
.jpg)
.jpg)
Recently Added To This Review
Report of front coil spring failure on little used 2012/62 Vauxhall Corsa D at 1,200 miles. Read more
Report of oil pump failing on 2013 Vauxhall Corsa at 4 years old. Replacement oil pump then also failed a year later in November 2018. Read more
Report of problems with 2010/60 Vauxhall Corsa 1.0 Eco Energy. Previous owner had cam timing sensor replaced before selling it after the car had broken down. Since then it has broken down twice. Each... Read more
Vauxhall Corsa (2006 – 2014): At A Glance
- Insurance Groups are between 1–34
- On average it achieves 82% of the official MPG figure
"Cmon!" The new Corsa was pipped at the post by just two points for the coveted title of European Car of The Year 2007.
At the end of the day, though, despite all the hype, the Corsa is just a car. And the winner had the advantage of being a ‘multi-purpose vehicle'. (The Ford S-Max.)
There's no doubt that the new Corsa is well made. It feels strong and solid. The sort of small hatchback the Germans would build in Germany. Though in fact it's assembled in Zaragoza, Northern Spain, a few hundred kilometres from the VW Polo plant at Pamplona to the West and also few hundred from where they put the bitz of the SEAT Ibiza together, at Martorell to the East.
What does a Vauxhall Corsa (2006 – 2014) cost?
| List Price from | £11,730 |
|---|---|
| Buy new from | £10,995 |
| Contract hire from | £125.99 per month |
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 |
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.
Child seats that fit a Vauxhall Corsa (2006 – 2014)
Our unique Car Seat Chooser shows you which child car seats will fit this car and which seat positions that they will fit, so that you don't have to check every car seat manufacturer's website for compatibility.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.
Average performance
82%
Real MPG
24–79 mpg
MPGs submitted
1360
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.
Can an insurer threaten to void a policy for not disclosing a part-time job?
What Cars Are Similar To The Vauxhall Corsa (2006 – 2014)?
Key attributes of the this model are: Economical and Small hatchback.
Unclear on what your next car should be? Use our Car Chooser to pick something that suits your needs.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
What do owners think?
Our view gives your our opinion, based on driving hundreds of cars every year, but you can't beat the views of someone who lives with a car day-in, day out.
- 5 star 17%
- 4 star 33%
- 3 star 33%
- 2 star
- 1 star 17%