Vauxhall Corsa (2006 - To Date)

Models Covered: Third Generation (2006-to date): 3 and 5 door hatchback, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.

6T, 1.3 CDTi, 1.7 CDTi diesel [Expression, Life, Club, SXi, Design, SRi, VXR]

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Build
Comfort
Depreciation
Economy
Equipment
Handling
Insurance
Performance
Styling
Value

Although the Vauxhall Corsa had never attracted a great deal of critical acclaim, the British public have taken it to their hearts, won over by its pert styling and low running costs. The third generation car introduced in 2006 was a very different proposition to its predecessor. Bigger, more grown up and infinitely better built, it was the car you knew General Motors could build if the gloves came off. Heres how to snag a decent used example.

No longer just a shopping trolley, the Corsa now has real impact. The front end features a deep Vauxhall V-grille with aggressive air intakes under the bumper and a pair of headlamps that smear back along the wings. Bigger than the model it replaces, the Corsa shares a platform with Fiats Grande Punto, the benefit of a rather complicated relationship between Fiat and General Motors thats too convoluted to go into here. Suffice to say, you may be reminded of the pretty Fiat when you spot the window by the A-pillar and the rather unconventional door outlines.

Climb inside and, if youre used to the Astra, youll feel immediately at home here. The quality of materials used is leagues ahead of the old Corsa and like the Astra, theres the bulletproof feeling of build quality thats as good as anything in the sector. Just about the only criticism of the Astras interior was that, although well built, it didnt offer a whole lot of slick design to catch the eye. The Corsa changes that particular script with translucent ambient lighting on the centre console switchgear, one of those surprise and delight features that adds the all-important showroom wow-factor.

The round air vents and big satellite navigation screen (available on high spec cars only) give the Corsas dash a far more modern, integrated look than the somewhat piecemeal integration of technology of the old car.

Prices start at around £5,575 for an 06 plate 1.0i 12v Life model with three doors, the five-door variant tacking another £150 to that figure. The peppier 1.2-litre models open at £5,750, again on that 2006 06 plate, but many will want air conditioning which will add £400 to that asking price.

The 1.6-litre SRi kicks of at £9,100 on an 07 plate while the rorty VXR, only available in three-door form, opens at £12,600. The diesel Corsa models are very sought after and the 1.3-litre CDTi in 74bhp Life trim with air con starts at £6,500 with around 31,000 miles on the clock.

Go for the bigger diesel engine and youll pay £8,100 for an 06 plated 1.7 CDTi SXi.

The third generation Corsa feels built like a rock but, as we have seen from certain other manufacturers, perceived quality doesnt always translate into actual, quantifiably low warranty claims. In the Corsas case, however, what you see is largely what you get. There have been few reported issues with this car although the long service intervals mean a full service history is even more desirable than usual. Check for the usual parking knocks and scrapes and make sure the alloys arent kerbed.

The sporty SRi and VXR models should be checked for tyre wear, suspension alignment and accident damage and a full HPI check undertaken.

(Based on a 1.2-litre three-door) A new clutch will cost you about £90 and a full exhaust system around £300. Front shock absorbers are about £50 a pair and rears around £35. An alternator is about £115 and a starter motor around £90.

A radiator is about £115 and a replacement windscreen close to £105. A tail lamp is about £40, a headlamp about £65 and a front wing about £75. A catalyst is just over £200.

An appealing line-up of petrol and diesel engines is available to power the Corsa. First up on the petrol menu are the 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre units.

Also available is a 189bhp 1.6-litre VXR variant that will certainly give the Clio Renaultsport 197 and the Peugeot 207 GTi something to think about. Able to hit 60mph in around 7 seconds and with a 140mph top speed, this should be the first Corsa to really appeal to hardcore car enthusiasts rather than pimply teens. Theres also a 150PS version of the same engine in a slightly more affordable SRi version.

No modern supermini can get by without a decent diesel engine and Vauxhall fortunately have two at their disposal. The 123bhp 1.7-litre diesel spearheads the line up, with a budget 1.3-litre CDTi acting as the entry level option.

Its the Corsas ride and refinement that make the biggest impact the first time you get one out on the road. Superminis didnt used to display this level of composure over tricky surfaces and undulations but the Corsa manages to feel like a far larger car than it is in this respect. Engine noise is also well controlled even from the diesel contingent but the 1.0 and 1.

2-litre petrol engines struggle at times to get the Corsa moving. Theyll do the job around town but the 1.4-litre petrol or a diesel are the engines to go for.

The third generation Vauxhall Corsa is a car that barely puts a foot wrong. Although there will still be some buyers who prefer the badge of a Renault or a Peugeot over the somewhat more proletarian Griffin, theyd be fooling themselves if they thought they were buying a better car. The Corsa feels solidly built, has proven extremely reliable, is very cheap to run and is even decent to drive. It could be a little bigger in the rear but aside from that, there arent too many ways in which Vauxhall could have improved this car.

It looks set to become one of our used car stars.