Vauxhall is bringing out a facelifted Corsavan in March and, although the new version is available to order now, the Luton-based manufacturer still has plenty of the old shape to clear. This Vauxhall Corsavan Sportive version doesn’t differ too much from the new model, but is available for a lot cheaper at £8,599 plus VAT.
Practical cab and comfortable ride
Jump in and you’ll see that the layout of the cabin is familiar, with the dash resembling that of the Corsa car. The switchgear and the plastics feel hard wearing and should stand up to the bumps and scrapes of van life, although road noise is a little intrusive, especially on start-up.
GM’s renowned 1.3-litre turbodiesel, which was developed in conjunction with Fiat and features in the Doblo, powers the Corsavan. Couple to a 6-speed manual gearbox, it is tuned to 94bhp, which is fairly powerful given the small size of the van, and can achieve 210Nm of torque.
The Corsavan has very car-like handling and will suit van drivers who need a practical, manoeuvrable vehicle for delivering goods in towns and city centres. It’s nimble and although there is a little body roll when cornering it feels like a well set-up vehicle.
Fairly practical
Its fiercest rival pips the Corsavan when it comes to load space. With a load volume measuring 0.92 cubic metres, the Ford Fiesta’s one cubic metre just comes out on top. Space between the wheel arches is also smaller in the Corsavan at 969mm, while the Ford gets a full metre available in this area. Load height for the Vauxhall is 924mm and load length 1,257mm.
Low running costs
The economical engine claims 65mpg on the combined cycle. Servicing should also prove to be inexpensive and most garages should be able to service the Corsavan as all the technology is derived from its car counterpart. Insurance costs should also be low with the Corsa in the lower groups.
Verdict
It’s a very fun van to drive but not the most practical, so make sure you definitely won’t be carrying more than 0.92 cubic metres or 550kg. Based on the regular Corsa car, the Corsavan is nimble and easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces, making it ideal for small businesses working in and around small towns and city centres. Click here if you want to view all the latest Vauxhall Corsavan deals.
