Vauxhall Corsa (2006-) Review

Comfort and Equipment

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Vauxhall/Opel has made a big advance in its soundproofing and general refinement with this Corsa - it's much quieter to ride in than before, and ride quality is much-improved, even over rough surfaces. The latter's going to depend on which wheels/tyres and spec levels you choose, of course (SXI models have lowered stiffened suspension), but by and large, the Corsa copes well with bumps and ruts, with little by way of intrusive noise or vibration - it gives a genuine bigger-car feel.

This is aided by the steeply forward-sloped windscreen and vast dashboard area, which makes for a very roomy front section to the cabin - and obviously, the fact that the Corsa is now nearly 4m long, over 1.7m wide (excluding mirrors) and just under 1.5m tall helps, too. That's bigger than the earliest Astras.

However, it's not quite as roomy all round as these dimensions suggest: virtually all of that extra space is up front. Rear-seat passengers are adequately accommodated, but rear leg- and head-room is not particularly impressive (the raked rear roofline slopes very low at the back in the three-door) and the boot, with an extra lower under-floor section in most versions due to the lack of a spare wheel, is actually quite small and narrow.

The rear seats do not fully tumble, nor slide on their bases for a variable leg-room/luggage space positioning, but there is a neat foldaway parcel shelf. One big bonus point, too: unlike the Punto and Fiesta, the Corsa does have an external boot release which doesn't involve fumbling to turn a key or finding a tiny button on a key fob.

The cabin finish will depend on which version you opt for: we've not seen the entry-level Expression models yet, but the general theme seems to be pleasingly plain and monochrome, with the option to add brighter-coloured fabrics and shinier trim detailing as required. Interior design for everyone, in other words - just pick your options carefully.

Standard equipment for the UK will include twin front airbags, central locking and a CD player (Expression trim), with Life models adding remote central locking and electric windows. Club versions have side and curtain airbags, a MP3-compatible audio system with steering wheel-mounted controls, the dual-layer boot floor, body-coloured door handles, and SXi spec brings heated door mirrors, 16" alloys, sports front seats, a leather-covered steering wheel, sports suspension, fog lights, a chrome exhaust tailpipe and darkened light lenses. Then there's the Design, with auto headlights, rain-sensing wipers, air conditioning and chrome-trimmed dials.

Further options include a wide glass sunroof, cruise control, trip computer, Bluetooth phone kit, various audio upgrades and a very useful-looking pop-out bike carrier integrated into the rear bumper, called FlexFit (£500).