Vauxhall Corsa Pre Model S 1.3CDTi 16v ecoFlex 3dr Car Review - July 2013

REVIEW
List Price: £13,570
Tax Band: B
Insurance Group: 7
MPG: 67.3
CO2: 110
0-62 Mph: 14.9 secs
BHP: 74 BHP
Range: 666 miles
CarSite Verdict:  3/5
The £13,570 Vauxhall Corsa S 1.3CDTi 16v ecoFlex is part of Vauxhall’s popular Corsa supermini range. The model is now into its fourth incarnation over a thirty year run – if you count the Vauxhall Nova/Opel Corsa of the 80s – and remains a huge seller on the UK market. However, the competition is now much tougher in the supermini market than when the first model was launched, and it is important to choose the right combination of price, running costs, and specification. The Corsa range is extensive, so choose wisely.

PROS:  Cheap and cheerful hatchback with both low running costs and insurance.

CONS:  Disappointing equipment levels harm its desirability and resale values.

Behind the Wheel

The Vauxhall Corsa is available with an extensive range of engines, with the Vauxhall Corsa S 1.3CDTi 16v ecoFlex representing the entry-level diesel-powered option. A 74bhp engine may not sound immediately impressive, but producing 140lb-ft of torque at 1750-2250rpm it is eminently more capable than the wheezy petrol engines at the bottom of the Corsa range. Performance car it ain’t though, and 0-62mph takes 14.9 seconds, while top speed is 101mph. The engine is surpisingly refined though, and any external noise is barely noticeable inside the cabin. The handling and ride are neutral, making the Corsa an unfussy and uncomplicated car to drive. The driving position is comfortable, but on basic S models the options for adjustment are somewhat limited.

Looks & Equipment

The Vauxhall Corsa, in its current form, has been around since 2006, but has aged well. The design still looks contemporary, particularly in three-door format where the swooping line of the rear quarter gives the hatchback supermini a fun and sporty feel. The front end has been face-lifted at points during its production run to keep the look fresh and up-to-date. The basic S level of trim still comes with power steering, central locking, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, driver and passenger airbags, immobiliser, and CD player with MP3 connectivity. There are a range of optional extras which can be added, such as air conditioning for £510, or metallic paint for £525. Disappointingly, front side airbags, a standard feature on most new cars, are an optional extra which will set you back an extra £435.

Practicality, Safety & Reliability

Euro NCAP, the independent consumer organisation who perform crash and safety tests on new cars released on the European market awarded the Vauxhall Corsa a full five stars out of five for occupant protection, but only three stars apiece for child occupant protection and pedestrian protection. The Vauxhall Corsa S 1.3CDTi 16v ecoFlex comes with a with driver and passenger airbags, but it is disappointing that other safety features such as front side airbags and stability control are optional extras, costing £435 and £465 respectively. The space is adequate, but you really can only fit two full-sized adults in the rear due to the taper of the three-door body. The boot space is 285-litres, rising to 1050-litres once the rear seat has been lowered. Frustratingly, Vauxhall Corsa S 1.3CDTi 16v ecoFlex doesn’t come with split folding rear seats however. On the plus side, there is a lifetime warranty on all new Corsa’s, limited to 100,000-miles.

Value for Money

The £13,570 Vauxhall Corsa S 1.3CDTi 16v ecoFlex boasts lower running costs than the entry-level petrol-powered models, with a combined fuel economy of 67.3mpg and 110g/km of CO2 emissions. However, spend an extra eight hundred quid to get the stop/start model and the fuel economy increases to a combined 85.6mpg and the CO2 emissions fall below the 100g/km mark. For that reason, the Vauxhall Corsa S 1.3CDTi 16v ecoFlex isn’t the pick of the range. Resale values for the Corsa range as a whole have been underwhelming, and with a below average performance in the latest JD Power customer satisfaction survey that trend is likely to continue. Models with a decent spec list will be less affected of course, but in this regard the Vauxhall Corsa S 1.3CDTi 16v ecoFlex fails to impress.


Vauxhall Corsa Pre Model S 1.3CDTi 16v ecoFlex 3dr Car Review - by 
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The £13,570 Vauxhall Corsa S 1.3CDTi 16v ecoFlex is part of Vauxhall’s popular Corsa supermini range. The model is now into its fourth incarnation over a thirty year run – if you count the Vauxhal...
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Small Family Alternatives

You might want to read reviews for other Small Family cars that you can then compare to the Vauxhall Corsa. Here are some popular Vauxhall Corsa alternatives:

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