We review the Vauxhall Corsa from price to economy and all its features

Fighting for top spot … brilliant new Vauxhall Corsa

A BIT like the battle for supremacy in men’s world tennis, the motoring supermini battle is fiercely contested by four stars Fiesta, Polo, Corsa and Clio.

Fighting for top spot … brilliant new Vauxhall Corsa

Like Djokovic, Federer, Murray and Nadal they all are outstanding. But can this Corsa make the breakthrough to be the UK and Europe No1?

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Macho … Adam-inspired looks

The crisp new look is unmistakeably a huge design cue from its little brother Adam. It gets its more macho appearance from the Star Trek-shaped headlamps with sharp edges — compared to the Adam’s rounded ‘eyes’. It gets a more sculpted body to add to the more grown-up look. And it’s a bold new image for Vauxhall’s most important and profitable car.

The new Corsa, out in December, starts at £8,995 for the 1.2-litre Sting – £700 cheaper than a 1.2-litre Ford Fiesta Style — and it’s got more standard kit. That’s the SAME as the outgoing 1litre Corsa, which is still a decent car considering the technology dates from 2006.

DRIVE TIME

Refined … feels like an Astra to drive

There are seven engine choices (five petrol, two diesel) including a new three-cylinder 1-litre turbo petrol. That punchy little package can return 65mpg (90bhp version), 0-62mph in 11.9 seconds, 112mph and free road tax (emissions 100g/km) on 16in wheels. It’s my pick but you pay a premium for being green. Prices start at £12,730.

The cheapest and fastest 1-litre turbo is the £10,825 Sting (115bhp) — 57mpg, 0-62mph in 10.3 seconds and 121mph with £30 road tax (CO2 114g/km). The VXR will overhaul that as the quick flagship next year.

Vauxhall reckon a third of buyers will go for the better-equipped 1.4-litre petrol Excite model (90bhp) at £12,310 — 55mpg, 0-62mph in 13.2 seconds, 109mph and £30 road tax (Co2 emissions 119g/km).

The top-end SRi VX-Line 1.3-litre diesel (95bhp) will set you back £15,980. But you get a whopping 88mpg, 0-62mph in 11.9 seconds, 113mph, the lowest CO2 emissions of 85g/km (free road tax) on 16in wheels.

Whatever engine you go for, the new Corsa feels so much stronger, well weighted and more refined than the model it replaces. You’d be forgiven for thinking you were driving an Astra.

INSIDE STORY

Best in class … leap in quality on the inside

The cabin is the biggest leap in quality — it outguns the Fiesta and Polo.

The space is the same as the old car but virtually everything else has been re-designed. Even the entry-level Sting is well kitted out with cruise control, Bluetooth, leather steering wheel and City Mode button which lightens the steering for tight turns. Perfect for multistorey car parks and for protecting those standard alloys.

Other big car touches include heated steering wheel, seats and windscreen. The boot is slightly smaller than the Fiesta, 285 litres v 290 litres, and the Corsa is still compromised by the bench-style rear seat. The 60:40 split on the Fiesta is standard and much more practical.

VERDICT: So close to the Fiesta, but lacks the solidity and pure handling of the Ford