Model tested: Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 CDTi Club
Price: £10,595
Date tested: October 2006
Road tester: Stuart Milne

Overall rating: 82%
The Corsa has been a hit since its launch way back in 1993 thanks to a blend of practicality and low running costs. But does the latest generation continue the trend? We hit the road in one to find out.

1. Looks
Immediately identifiable as a Corsa, the new styling brings it up to date with a link to the rest of the Vauxhall family. Our mid-range test car does without alloy wheels or fancy bumpers, but looks pretty nonetheless.
8/10

2. Looks inside
The Corsa's cabin has a refreshing air of simplicity, even though it feels considerably more upmarket than previous models. The controls look and feel chunky, while the dials are remarkably easy to read.
8/10

3. Practicality
There's more head, leg and shoulder room than any Corsa before, with space only inhibited by the sloping roofline at the rear; Vauxhall's solution is a five-door edition. The boot is surprisingly capacious, offering up to 1,100 litres.
8/10

4. Ride and Handling
Vauxhall has proved the competence of the Corsa's chassis with the hot VXR. The standard model we tried proved worthy on a variety of roads, with only over-light steering spoiling the fun.
8/10

5. Performance
Despite packing just 74bhp, the 1.3-litre diesel Corsa feels sprightly, happy at motorway speeds or around town. That's got a lot to do with 147lb/ft of torque, ensuring plenty of poke for overtaking.
8/10

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6. Running Costs
Officially, our test car can average 61.4mpg, while it sits in tax Band C, currently costing £100 a year. Corsas need servicing every year, or 20,000 miles.
10/10

7. Reliability
The Corsa has always been a simple and robust car; the latest model seems no different. Much of its running gear is shared with the Astra, Meriva and Fiat Grande Punto, so should have proven reliability.
8/10

8. Safety
The Corsa has a five-star EuroNCAP rating with driver and passenger airbags; models above the Club have front side and curtain airbags.
9/10

9. Equipment
Our mid-range Club model features a trip computer, shiny interior trim, electric windows and mirrors plus remote central locking.
7/10

10. X-Factor
The fact it's the car of choice for thousands of driving instructors is testament to the Corsa's ability as an easy-to-drive supermini. The latest model is also more fun to drive than its predecessors, with remarkably low running costs.
8/10