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

Performance wise, the Vauxhall Corsa SE 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 and Corsa Exclusiv 1.2i does.

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 and Exclusiv 1.2i. On top of this, MP3 connectivity is added to the stereo system and a number of features which were not optional or only available at cost in other trim levels are fitted as standard.

These include, alloy wheels, air conditioning and cruise control. Climate control, which is unavailable on the other models, also becomes available at an additional cost of £305. A built-in sat nav and Bluetooth connectivity can be added for the same price as in the Exclusiv: £750 and £315 respectively. Rear parking sensors still cost £285 with stability control still priced at £465.

Front side airbags, which are only available at cost in the S 1.6i, become a standard feature in the SE (as in the Exclusiv). The arrangement of the dash is well organised and logical and that means that operating controls is easy for drivers.

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 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.

This is a relatively practical 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.

At £14,435 this Corsa is priced considerably higher than the other models within the range, although the overall cost is still manageable. The combination of good fuel economy, affordable road tax costs (under band D) and fairly low insurance premiums (under insurance group 6) makes the car cheap to keep on the road and this could be an attractive feature for buyers.

However, the small engine lacks the performance credentials of other models and despite the advanced trim level, some may find the initial outlay too high to reconcile. Some features are still only available at cost and, as performance is not enhanced, customers need to consider how highly they value such features before making their decision.

Those who want as many modern luxuries in their car as possible are likely to be fans of this model but, at £1,905 more than the Exclusiv and £2,465 more than the S model, budget-conscious motorists may find the price too high for what is on offer.