The Opel Corsa->ke1594 has been around since 1982 as one of Vauxhall->ke92 and Opel’s->ke65 most popular models. For 2015, the Corsa saw its fifth-generation redesign that helped it obtain a much more modern appearance compared to the outgoing model. Up front, there is now a single grille that is the same shape as the low-sitting air dam on the previous model. Down below the grille, there is a small opening above a lip that runs along the bottom side of the fascia. The headlights have been pushed a little farther toward the center of the car. The sides haven’t been changed much, but now feature a few new character lines. Inside, the Corsa got the attention it deserved and features a dual-gauge instrument cluster with a small display in the middle and a fairly large infotainment screen in the center stack. The car is in the supermini class, so there isn’t exactly a lot of room, but the cabin is still pretty inviting. The big news in the drivetrain department is the new 1.0-liter, Ecotec, three-cylinder that delivers 89 or 113 horsepower.

As you’ll see as you read our detailed review below, the new Corsa is finally in-line with competitors like the Ford Fiesta->ke1170. It’s now sportier and looks like it is pretty fast for its class. The new styling of the fascias and side skirts give it the sporty appearance that people love, while the smaller engines provide decent horsepower with acceptable fuel economy and low emissions. With that said, there is a lot more about the Corsa than what I’ve said here, so check out the full review and let us know what you think.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Vauxhall Corsa

2015 Vauxhall Corsa

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Vauxhall Corsa
  • Engine/Motor: inline-3
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The overall dimensions of the fourth-generation Corsa are virtually identical to its predecessor. The difference is that the new model comes with new body panels, creating a better definition of what a sporty, three-door supermini should look like.

The front of the new Corsa also received a stylish makeover, including a trapezoidal front grille that you may recognize from the Opel Adam. LED daytime running lights have also become standard for most variants of the Corsa.

Speaking of the Adam, other design cues were also taken from Opel's sports hatch and translated into the Corsa, and fit it into the dynamic shape of the latter. The lower part of the hatch is a good example of that, as is the familiar ‘blade’ that runs across the lower door-section and just above the sills. This crease creates a more sculpted look that joins with the car's belt line and extends all the way to the rear section of the model.

Meanwhile, the rear section doesn't exactly tickle our fancy, but it does serve its purpose of creating a design balance with the heavily redesigned front end.

Interior

The interior of the Corsa offers a fresher and more sophisticated package that underscores the styling you see from the Opel Adam. It's a huge improvement in terms of quality that customers should appreciate.

The three-door variant is understandably more cramped for space than the "premium" five-door version, but overall, there's enough space in both variants that won't make you feel like a sardine in a can. The 285-liter (10-cubic-foot) luggage space remains the same, but that's not really a big point of concern for customers.

What's new for the 2014 Corsa are the instrument panel and dashboard. Therein lies a lot of inspiration from the Opel Adam, including the seven-inch, color touchscreen that looks the part of a hand-held video game console. I'm guessing the kids are going to love that design.

More importantly, the touchscreen is available with IntelliLink and can be used in a variety of functions, including compatibility to Apple or Android smartphones, allowing users to navigate through a myriad of features like sat-nav, Internet radio apps, and use of Siri's voice control system.

The interior also offers a fresh batch of premium features, including heated front seats, soft-tone ambient lighting, and a full-size panoramic roof.

Overall, the interior is a huge improvement from the third-generation model. There's less clutter and the added premium features will definitely catch the attention of a lot potential buyers.

Drivetrain

The new Vauxhall Corsa continues to benefit from a wide range of engine options, beginning with a 1.2-liter gas engine that produces 69 horsepower. There's also a 1.3-liter CDTi that can be had with output numbers of 74 horsepower or 94 horsepower. Meanwhile, a bigger 1.4-liter engine will have non-turbo and turbo variants, delivering 89 horsepower and 99 horsepower, respectively.

These engines aren't new to the Corsa lineup, but what is new is a pair of direct-injected, 1.0-liter, three-cylinder, turbo engine that offers either 89 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque or 113 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. Both engine variants come with a standard, six-speed manual transmission with an option for a new six-speed auto for some of the engines.

It's safe to say that with the new 1.0 three-cylinder in its lineup, the Corsa is preparing itself to battle the Ford Fiesta.

Prices

As of 7/18/2014, Vauxhall has yet to announce the price for the 2015 Corsa but we can at least expect the figures to be announced in September with sales to begin sometime in January 2015. In the meantime, our best educated guess would be somewhere in the neighborhood of £9,000 ($15,000) for the base, three-door model and a little over £10,000 ($17,100) for the five-door model.

Prices are expected to jump once you tack on additional features.

Competition

Ford Fiesta

Say what you want about the Fiesta, but there is no arguing that it is the best-selling model in the UK, routinely being shipped off to expectant owners across the Atlantic.

The 2014 Fiesta still boasts of Ford's award-winning, EcoBoost, 1.0-liter, three-cylinder engine, allowing the car to produce 123 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. That's a lot more power than what the Corsa is able to offer with its new 1.0-liter, three-cylinder turbo, but at least Vauxhall has closed the gap to the point that the difference is respectable.

Vauxhall still has some catching up to do, especially when it comes to rivaling the EcoBoost's incredible combination of power and efficiency. The good news for Vauxhall is that it's on its way to doing that. The question now is how long it will take to get up to the Fiesta's level.

The Ford Fiesta begins with a price of £9,995 ($17,100) for the base Studio model and goes all the way up to £19,230 ($33,000) for the ST3 1.6T EcoBoost version.

Conclusion

We understand why our UK friends love the Vauxhall Corsa. It's incredibly affordable yet still boasts of premium features you normally don't see in a car of its size.

The engine options aren't going to titillate your senses, but the addition of the new 1.0-liter, turbo three-cylinder gives us hope that the Corsa is finally ready to shed its old skin and proudly show off its sportier and more aggressive capabilities.