On Corsa for UK no.1?
Vauxhall reckons the updates it has brought to the Corsa could help the supermini become the best selling car in the UK next year. Not the best selling car in its class; the number one overall.
But while it’s hoped that a sleeker exterior, greatly improved interior tech and an electric version with more power and range per charge will all be contributing factors, Vauxhall also believes that Ford has done it a massive favour — by killing off the Fiesta, the Corsa’s major rival, the Blue Oval could have given Vauxhall the sales boost it needs to become the most popular car in the UK.
“Have you sent them a thank you letter?” I asked Vauxhall/ Opel CEO Florian Huettl.
“No, we have more class than that,” he replied, with sterotypical Teutonic stoniness.
Class is what the new Vauxhall Corsa needs in spades, if it’s to be Top of the Pops once more (it topped the charts for the first time in 2021); particularly if it’s to rise above the crossovers that we all seem to covet these days – Ford’s Fiesta-based Puma is the car to beat it would seem.
And with prices in the UK ranging from £19,625 for the cheapest petrol model, up to between £32,445 and £38,585 for the electric versions, Vauxhall clearly thinks the new Corsa has taken another step towards the classier end of the market. After all, for around £36,000 you can get a really high-spec Hyundai Kona Electric, or an entry-level Skoda Enyaq iV for under £39,000, both of which are crossovers with similar miles per charge (more in the case of the equivalent Kona, actually).
While you chew over that thought, it’s worth pointing out that company car drivers get a much better deal on EVs, given the tax breaks, and Vauxhall expects the total cost of private ownership — which includes fuel, tax and other running costs — for the two versions to reach parity after around four years. After that the electric version should be a money saver. Sadly that’s not much incentive for new car buyers; it suggests that buying secondhand, after depreciation, is the really smart move.
What really needs to happen if the government is serious about getting private car buyers to switch to electric, most in the industry agree, is for incentives such as the Plug-in Car Grant to return.
But all that aside, does the Corsa Electric warrant its pricetag? Well, it’s definitely true to say that a lot of improvements have been made throughout. While all Corsas get a nosejob and styling tweaks, the electric model has had its wheels pushed further apart widthways, making it more stable through corners, and a new Long Range version sits alongside a variant that retains the old power train.
The clever bit is that through some kind of technical witchcraft the Corsa Long Range gets an extra 24 miles per charge out of a battery that’s only very slightly bigger (51kWh instead of 50kWh). Even more impressive is that Vauxhall’s engineers (well, those working for parent company Stellantis) have managed to keep the weight exactly the same.
Mind you, an increase of 24 miles isn’t a huge difference, and 246 miles (officially) isn’t what everyone would consider “Long Range”, so Vauxhall has sweetened the deal for buyers by giving this version of the Corsa Electric a more powerful motor. The old electric 134bhp version was already the most potent Corsa, so the new one, with 154bhp, takes it up another notch.
To get the full beans, it needs to be set from Normal to Sport mode, using the rocker switch in the centre console (borrowed from sister brand Peugeot), and that results in acceleration from standstill that is more than impressive enough.
Torque output is actually the same as in the lower-powered Corsa but you do notice the difference: while the old model was slightly less than exhilarating, certainly compared with some other EVs out there, the new model has the requisite urgency to warrant Vauxhall’s claims of it being a fun car.
There’s more good news when it comes to the handling. The Corsa is still no Fiesta when it comes to cornering, and the Corsa Electric is obviously a heavy machine compared to the petrol model, but the steering feels pleasingly alert and the extra width between the wheels, along with the low centre of gravity from the underfloor battery, means you can throw it into corners with confidence.
The pliant suspension results in noticeable bodyroll but that trade off means broken and bumpy roads are ironed out nicely. And thanks to really rather decent comfort levels, both from the seats and in terms of sound deadening in the cabin, the new Corsa Electric is a car that you could drive long distances in and arrive at your destination as fresh as when you set off.
It’s important to point out, too, that on a long journey you can plug the Corsa into a rapid charger and suck electrons at 100kW, which means a top up from flat to 80 per cent takes 30 minutes — enough time for a family loo break and to buy a bag of sweets or two at the motorway services.
Vauxhall has made an effort to bring the interior up to scratch, too. A new steering wheel and a 10in touchscreen are available across the range now, and the latter is powered by a new faster chipset that makes it much more responsive than before. Even switching between Android Auto or Apple CarPlay (both connect wirelessly and are standard across the Corsa range) and the native Vauxhall menu system is super-quick.
Annoyingly, though, if you set the Vauxhall sat nav (TomTom powered) and then switch to Android Auto because you want to, say, play a podcast or audiobook, when you go back to the regular sat nav your route has been deleted. Most of the time you’d simply use Waze or Google Maps within Android Auto, so it’s not a big issue, but it proved tricky on the test drive as I had to pull over to reset my pre-set route. Mercifully, I discovered it’s easy to delete waypoints.
While we’re nit-picking, the graphics on the 7in digital instrument cluster (standard on the electric models) could do with further work, as they’re less attractive than those found on other binnacles. Also, I felt discomfort in my lower leg after a short spell at the wheel, caused by resting it on the centre console, and not everyone will be happy with some of the plastic used inside, despite it being an improvement on what came before.
There aren’t many other complaints, though. Aside from the placement of the “e” badge on the boot lid, which looks like it was done by the work placement kid, the car looks really good outside thanks to a refresh that includes Vauxhall’s “Vizor” grille design.
There are also new 17in alloys, LED headlights (with smart “matrix” LEDs on range-topping Ultimate trim, which dip around vehicles ahead while leaving everywhere else fully illuminated), intelligent voice activation of the infotainment and over-the-air updates, so that new features can be added as they become available.
The suite of intelligent safety features are good, too, and not as nannying as on some other new cars. And the amount of room in the rear seats and boot is impressive for a car of this size.
Verdict: 2023 Vauxhall Corsa Electric review
There’s a lot to like about the new Corsa, not least the fact that it still exists (in both petrol and electric form), when old rival Ford has chosen to ditch traditional hatchbacks altogether in this new electrified era. Time will tell whether the end of the Fiesta means the rise of the Corsa, but those choosing to buy Vauxhall’s supermini will be very happy with the strong mix of attractive design, choice of fuel type, practicality and impressive ride comfort. So strong, in fact, that the Corsa is our small car of the year 2023.
The electric versions are the most satisfying to drive, particularly the new Long Range model, though with prices starting at £32,445 you really will have to do the total cost of ownership sums. The prices may be punchy, and an eyebrow will be raised when comparing them with the competition, but they do reflect Vauxhall’s confidence right now, as well as the work that has gone into its supermini in this update. The efforts make the Corsa a car that isn’t just about getting from A to B any more; it’s one that drivers can feel proud to own.
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- If you were interested in our Vauxhall Corsa review, you might also like to check out what we had to say about its big sister, the 2023 Vauxhall Astra Electric
- Vauxhall to boost electric car on-street charging with data and funding for councils
- Vauxhall announces GSe, a new performance electric sub-brand
Keyword: Vauxhall Corsa Electric 2023 review: More power, more range and yes, more money