Vauxhall Corsa Pre Model Exclusiv 1.2i 16v 3dr Car Review - March 2012

Performance wise, the Vauxhall Corsa Exclusiv 1.2i 16v 3dr has identical credentials to the Corsa S 1.2i 16v. The petrol engine delivers a fairly decent 84 bhp at 5600 rpm with torque figures of 85 lb-ft at 4000 rpm. This helps to power the car along at a reasonable speed for a car of this class, with acceleration speeds capable of reaching 0-62 mph in 13.6 seconds delivered.

This gives the car a top speed of 107 mph which is more than sufficient for the average family hatchback. Handling and steering is firm and controlled and this means that driving this model around town is easy and comfortable. Unfortunately, motorway driving is not as comfortable and a lot of steering adjustments are needed to help the car cope with the higher speeds.

Engine noise is also fairly quiet in the petrol models and noise from the wind and road is largely excluded from the cabin although this does increase during motorway driving.

This model comes with an advanced trim level which gives buyers a wider range of options than the Corsa S 1.2i does. However, many of these are only available at cost and, when combined with the higher purchase price of the car, makes the overall cost seem unjustified.

The car comes with power steering, central locking, electric door mirrors, electric front windows and a stereo system with CD player as standard features – the same as the Corsa S 1.2i. On top of this, MP3 connectivity is added to the stereo system as standard and a number of other options which were unavailable on the S 1.2i become available at cost.

These include Bluetooth connectivity and a built-in sat nav, which cost £315 and £750 respectively. Rear parking sensors are available for £285 whilst cruise control and alloy wheels are offered as a joint option for £515. Air conditioning can be added for £515 - £5 more expensive than it is to add it to the S 1.6i model. Stability control still costs £465 and a metallic paint finish is still priced at £495.

Front side airbags, which are only available at cost in the S 1.6i, become a standard feature in the Exclusiv. Climate control and leather seats remain unavailable for this car.

The arrangement of the dash is well organised and logical and that means that operating controls is easy for drivers.

Practicality is fairly high within this model although the lack of interior equipment can be a drawback. The boot offers a reasonable capacity of 285 litres with the seats up, increasing this to 1,050 litres when the seats are folded down.

The Corsa range prides itself on comfort and reliability and that means the quality of the build is high. Internal equipment, whilst lacking in this model, feels firm and robust and the exterior has a similar feeling. A warranty is provided for 100,000 miles with a service interval of 20,000 miles suggested to help drivers maintain the quality of their vehicle.

The car also performed fairly well in the NCAP safety tests, attaining a five star rating for occupant safety. The model is fitted with driver and passenger airbags as standard fittings with front side airbags also included.

To protect the car from theft there is an immobiliser fitted as standard but unfortunately this model lacks an alarm and there is no option to have one fitted – the same as in the S 1.6i model.

Priced at £12,530 this Corsa may seem like good value for money at first glance. The combination of good fuel economy, affordable road tax costs and fairly low insurance premiums makes the car cheap to keep on the road too and this could be an attractive feature for buyers. Insurance premiums fall under group 6 with road tax under band D thanks to carbon emissions of 129 g/km.

However, the small engine lacks the performance credentials of other models and despite the advanced trim level, many of the options are only available at cost. This means the overall price of the car is not as low as it seems, meaning consumers could be buying into a false economy. Overall, the model is a decent family car but customers will need to decide how highly they value certain luxury features when making their decision.

Those who consider them a priority are likely to invest in the Exclusiv 1.6i or look at other manufacturers whilst those who are more concerned with economy will find the S 1.6i model a better investment. It is also advisable to consider the diesel models which address the shortcomings of the petrol models and offer even greater fuel economy.