Vauxhall Corsa – time traveller

THE success of the Vauxhall Corsa could be described as a triumph of patience, perseverance, smart design and common sense.

Almost 30 years down the line since its UK launch and with upwards of 2.5 million models sold here, the Corsa sits proudly at the top of the sales chart.

It was the UK’s best selling car last year and remained in that spot after the numbers were totted up for the first six months of 2022.

Impressive stuff, and the secret to that achievement is pretty simple – a case of slick styling, sharp dynamics, plenty of comfort and an affordable price.

You also get a choice of efficient petrol or diesel engines plus a fully electric powertrain in the Corsa-e capable of up to 222 miles on a single charge.

Our tested version was a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol model with an eight-speed automatic transmission and in high grade Elite Edition trim. A Voltaic Blue paint job with contrast black roof and 17-inch diamond-cut bi-colour alloy wheels gave it some extra eye-catching appeal.

That’s extended inside the car where the cabin is bright, sensibly put together and features plenty of gloss black and silver fittings that add an element of prestige to the layout.

The heated cloth front seats adjust for both height and reach, leaving plenty of space for occupants, and while room in the back can be a squeeze for three, there’s plenty of shoulder, knee and legroom for two passengers.

It’s not too easy for taller passengers to get in and out of the back seats due to quite narrow door openings, otherwise the only issue concerns all-round visibility, which is slightly compromised by quite thick front and rear pillars.

That said, higher spec variants of the Corsa – including Elite Edition – come with front and rear parking sensors as well as a pin-sharp reversing camera.

As for infotainment, there’s a seven-inch touchscreen included as standard fit, with DAB radio and Bluetooth plus Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The screen is easy to use, has shortcut buttons around the perimeter and a proper volume control, likewise knobs for the air-con.

Stowage space comprises glovebox, door bins, central cubby, cup holders and a useful tray below the dash, while in rear there are map/magazine pockets on the front seat backs.

Out on the road the Corsa responds well to the 1.2-litre engine without feeling especially spirited but the changes from the auto gearbox are especially smooth.

The car also feels well balanced and agile, mops up uneven surfaces with ease and light steering makes for a relaxed and effortless experience in urban conditions and around rural lanes.

Need to push things a bit more on the motorway and the car is more than capable of holding its own, as its performance figures of 0-60 in 10.2 seconds and 119mph top speed would suggest.

This model also features Eco, Normal and Sport modes, the majority of our driving taking place in the former setting, rewarding us with an average fuel return of 45.5 miles per gallon.

It highlights what an economical car the Corsa can be – as well as a stylish-looking vehicle and one that’s fun to drive. Prices are from £17,440.