Vauxhall Corsa Pre Model S 1.2i 16v Easytronic 5dr Car Review - March 2012

REVIEW
List Price: £13,195
Tax Band: D
Insurance Group: 6
MPG: 53.3
CO2: 125
0-62 Mph: 14.9 secs
BHP: 84 BHP
Range: 528 miles
CarSite Verdict:  3/5
A popular hatchback for small families, the Vauxhall Corsa range offers a number of benefits for drivers. This petrol model is a capable car which boasts a low purchase price but unfortunately the low-grade trim level means it fails to deliver the benefits other models in the same range offer their drivers.

PROS:  Fuel efficiency is slightly better than on the manual S 1.21 16v model and the five door access makes this model more practical for families by increasing headroom within the cabin.

CONS:  Performance levels are slightly lower than in the manual models and the range of in-car technology could still be expensive due to a large number of chargeable extras.

Behind the Wheel

The petrol engine delivers the same power output as the manual model, with a maximum 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 14.9 seconds. However, this is slower than the manual model by 1.3 seconds.

The car still has a top speed of 107 mph (same as the manual) 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.

Looks & Equipment

This model comes with the same basic trim level included in the manual model and that means internal equipment is not as extensive as it could be. However, the arrangement of the dash is well organised and logical and that means that operating controls is easy for drivers.

The Corsa S 1.2i comes with power steering, central locking, electric door mirrors, electric front windows and a stereo system with CD player as standard features. There are a few upgrade options available to buyers of this model but a number of features are unavailable with this particular car.

Unavailable options include Bluetooth connectivity, a built-in sat nav, MP3 connectivity for the stereo, leather seats, rear parking sensors, cruise control, climate control and alloy wheels. However, air conditioning can be added for £510 with stability control costing an extra £465. Those who want to update the exterior can also invest in a metallic paint finish for £495.

Practicality, Safety & Reliability

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.

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 1,100 litres when the seats are folded down – 50 litres more than in the manual version.

The car also performed pretty 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 but front side airbags cost an additional £435 which could deter some buyers considering the large range of vehicles which offer these as standard.

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.

Value for Money

Priced at £13,025 this Corsa may seem like good value for money at first glance. The combination of good fuel economy, affordable road tax costs (under band D thanks to CO2 emissions of 125 g/km) and fairly low insurance premiums (under insurance group 6) makes the car cheap to keep on the road too and this could be an attractive feature for buyers.

The automatic model offers slightly better efficiency than the manual (53.3 mpg) but acceleration is reduced. This model also costs £1,055 more than the manual with no difference between in-car specifications and only marginal differences to performance and efficiency: neither of which are likely to be noticeable by the average driver.

The small engine also lacks the performance credentials of other models and the sparse interior means there is little indulgent comfort for drivers and their passengers. With diesel models addressing these shortcomings and offering even greater fuel economy than the petrol models they are the better investment for families looking for a long term investment.

Vauxhall Corsa Pre Model S 1.2i 16v Easytronic 5dr Car Review - by 
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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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