Category: Superminis 
Price Range: No data available
Value for money, smart looks, better quality than before, good diesel engines, wide choice of versions, trims and options.
Underpowered petrol engines, not as roomy as you'd think.
Cheap and cheerful, not cheap and nasty; it'll be a best-seller, and deservedly so.
As easy to drive as ever. All models have a speed-sensitive power steering system, tuned according to the engine version, which makes it light at low speeds and for tight manoevering yet offers plenty of feedback at higher speeds: it's all very predictable and confidence-inspiring, and even with the lesser-powered engines, the Corsa is good fun to drive on twisty country roads.
The five-speed gearbox was a little stiff on some of the pre-production cars tested so far, but should loosen up, all the controls are well laid-out and the instruments and dials are clear. Like so many new cars, the Corsa has huge, thick front windscreen pillars - a necessity these days to meet crash protection legislation - but once you get used to these and learn how to look around them effectively, there are no nasty blind spots.
Useful options include rear parking sensors (£250) and, in Easytronic clutchless-auto models, Hill Start Assist with stability/traction control (£350).
So far, the pick of the engines is the 90bhp 1.3 CDTi diesel, an excellent engine already on offer in a variety of Fiat-GM models. It's quick off the mark, strong mid-range and happy to cruise smoothly at motorway speeds. Whilst the new 1.7 CDTi is fine too, it's difficult to see why you'd want to pay extra for this version when the smaller engine's so good. Official figures for the 1.7 CDTi are a top speed of 118mph and 0-60mph in 10 seconds; the 90bhp 1.3 CDTi does 107mph and 0-60 in 11.9 seconds, and the 75bhp version 101mph and 0-60 in 13.6 seconds.
Similarly with the petrol engines, the 1.2 (80bhp) is a better option than the strangely gutless 1.4 (90bhp), though both struggle to pull the heavy Corsa along with much verve. Top speed for the 1.4 is 107mph and 0-60 comes up in 11.8 sec, though it feels substantially slower than the 90bhp diesel; the 1.2 does 104mph and 0-60 in 13 secs, and does it more sweetly.
We've not driven the three-cylinder 1.0 yet, but offering 93mph and 0-60 in - wait for it - 17 seconds, it ain't going to be quick. One for the budget buyer and airport rental firms.
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