Design and Build

This updated Corsa now fits visually in with the rest of the latest Vauxhall range, thanks to the adoption of the brand's distinctive 'Vizor'-style front grille, a single solid black panel with a restyled Grifin badge. That panel's flanked by slightly more squared-off slimline LED headlights which on top variants can feature the brand's 'IntelliLux matrix pixel tech. As before, it all sits on Peugeot 208 underpinnings, which means the Stellantis Group's 'CMP' 'Common Modular Platform' and body panels fashioned from a range of high-strength steels. Inside with this updated model, the infotainment system has been upgraded to a 10-inch screen that runs a more sophisticated user interface powered by Qualcomm's 'Snapdragon Cockpit' platform. Wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring is now included, as is 'Connected 3D' navigation, over-the-air software updates and "Hey Vauxhall" voice control. The 7-inch digital instrument screen has also been improved, with sharper graphics: and a wireless charging mat is being offered for the first time. Other cabin changes include fresh upholstery choices, a redesign for the steering wheel and gear selector - and a revised high-resolution wide-view rear camera. As before, space is at a bit of a premium for those in the rear seat, but the curvature of the front seat backs is designed to improve knee room, there's a notably low centre transmission tunnel and there's lots of room to poke your feet beneath those front chairs. The boot is 309-litres in size, regardless of your choice between combustion or EV power. It's quite a usable, squarically-sized space, with 885mm of length and 867mm of width. Folding the straightforward 60:40-split rear bench reveals 1,118-litres of capacity when you load to the roof.

Market and Model

If you'd got used to Corsa pricing for base models being in the £14,000 to £16,500 bracket (which is where it's been in recent years), you might need a cup of hot sweet tea after perusal of the figures being asked for this fifth generation French-inspired version, which start from around £19,000 for the feeblest 1.2-litre base-spec petrol variant. That's for base 'YES'-spec. Affordable 'Design' spec is next, then mid-range 'GS' trim and then top 'Ultimate' trim, which with a combustion engine now costs from around £26,000. The Hybrid versions start from around £23,000. The Corsa Electric sells in the £27,000-£35,000 bracket across for trim levels ('YES', 'Design', 'GS' and 'Ultimate'). With a Corsa Electric in 'YES' trim, you can only have the old 136PS powertrain; with the other trim levels, there's the option of finding around £1,400 more for the Long Range 156PS powertrain. Got that? Good. Across the range, five doors are mandatory of course. On combustion models, there's the option of auto transmission - around £1,700 more on petrol versions only. Even the most basic 'Design' derivatives are quite well equipped, fitted with an Automatic Emergency Braking function featuring Pedestrian Detection. Plus LED headlights with daytime running lights, High Beam Assist, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist, Cruise Control with Intelligent Speed Limiter and a 10-inch colour touchscreen with Bluetooth, AM/FAM/DAB digital radio as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity.

Cost of Ownership

Huge efforts have gone in here to improve running cost efficiency by saving weight. As a result, expect the unelectrified 1.2-litre PureTech petrol variants that many still will want to be very acceptably clean and frugal. With the 100PS model, you can expect to manage 57.6mpg on the WLTP combined cycle and return a CO2 reading of up to 118g/km, which is pretty good going for a car in this segment. For the Hybrid version, it's up to 62.8mpg and up to 104g/km. But of course if you're really interested in ecological efficiency, there'll be just one variant of this car that'll interest you, the Corsa Electric. For the 50kWh version of this derivative, Vauxhall claims a WLTP-rated driving range between charges of between 215-221 miles. The newer 51kWh version of this powertrain boosts that figure to 248-252 miles. All the latest Corsa Electric models come as standard with an 11kW on-board charger, allowing for a 0-100% charge to be completed in 5hrs and 15 minutes. The same full charge using a 7kW home wallbox is estimated to take 7hrs and 30 minutes. Supporting 100kW rapid charging, a typical 10%-80% charge will take just 30 minutes.

Summary

Ultimately, what we're looking at here is a Corsa that can. It can be fun to drive. It can deliver a big car feel. And it can stack up well on the balance sheet. It's a small Vauxhall for which no apologies need to be made. All that will worry obvious supermini rivals. After all, in its original form, this MK5 model was already a best seller. In this updated form, it aims to become a supermini that sells on more than just sheer value. It's not perfect of course. It doesn't lead its class in terms of either space, efficiency or driving dynamics. And the truth is that for all the electrified headlines here, most sales will still be of models fitted with either an aging unelectrified 1.2-litre petrol unit or the older version of the Stellantis Group's EV powertrain. But things are changing - and this Corsa is too. Add to that the wide model line-up and the likely deals on offer and you've a supermini that more than ever, needs to remain high on any family's shopping list.