• Smooth-revving 1.0-litre was a gem
• Non-turbo 1.4 petrols are slow
• Discontinued VXR gave the Fiesta ST a run for its money

Vauxhall fitted the Mk5 Corsa with a similar range of engines to its predecessor, although all of them were tweaked for better performance and efficiency across the generation change. Our pick of the line-up is the smooth-revving 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol unit, but there are plenty of other units to choose from.

There was a sole diesel option and a few more petrol variants of varying displacement, all of which were geared towards efficiency rather than performance. However, speed junkies can opt for the 206hp 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol option in the VXR model. Bear in mind that Vauxhall trimmed the Corsa’s line-up down significantly in spring 2018 – after then, only the 1.4-litre petrols remained.

Vauxhall Corsa petrol engines

Unless you cover loads of miles, petrol engines tend to suit smaller cars better than diesels. Hence why there were so many of them to choose from when this iteration of the Corsa was launched.

Vauxhall’s turbocharged 1.4-litre motor produces 100hp and 200Nm of torque, delivering a 115mph top speed and a 0–62mph time of 11 seconds. Vauxhall claims overall fuel efficiency of 51.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 128g/km, making it the greenest Corsa after the 2018 engine pare-back. A five-speed manual transmission is standard.

There’s also a 150hp version of the same engine, albeit only with Vauxhall’s sporty GSi trim-level. This unit delivers a top speed of 129mph and a 0–62mph time of 8.9 seconds.

Completing the petrol line-up are two non-turbocharged 1.4-litre units, with 75hp and 90hp respectively. The lower-powered version replaced the previously available 70hp 1.2-litre petrol engine in spring 2016.

The 75hp derivative is the slowest of the Corsas, offering a rather sedentary 101mph top speed and a leisurely 15.5-second 0–62mph time. With its five-speed manual gearbox, efficiency is rated between 42.2mpg and 43.5mpg, with CO2 emissions of 128 to 131g/km.

There’s more variation with the 90hp 1.4-litre: its standard five-speed manual gearbox could be optionally replaced with a self-shifting six-speed automatic transmission. Top speed for the manual is 109mph, while the automatic’s is 106mph. Accelerating from a standstill to 62mph takes 13.2 seconds in the manual and 13.9 seconds with the auto.

Vauxhall Corsa GSI 150hp 1.4-litre petrol: performance

The 150hp 1.4-litre turbocharged engine in the GSI isn’t the most pleasant engine – especially for a range-topping sporty model. Unlike the Ford Fiesta’s charismatic three-cylinder engine, the Corsa’s motor produces a bland, tuneless noise. The one we drove felt strained and more at home in a small people carrier than anything claiming to be sporty.

Yes, our test car had covered just 700 miles – and so might become more responsive with a few more miles – but there was no hint of that in the version we drove. It’s not particularly strong at low engine speeds and doesn’t reward you with a great torrent of power at higher speeds either. In contrast, a 140hp 1.0-litre Ford Fiesta offers a more satisfying engine, with a feeling of greater energy and much less resistance when working it hard. The Fiesta ST, on the other hand, feels like a rocket compared with the Vauxhall.

Early Mk5 Vauxhall Corsa engines

Vauxhall discontinued a whole host of engine when it updated the Mk5 Corsa in spring 2018, the most interesting of which was turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit. It was offered in 90hp and 115hp forms, both producing 170Nm from 1,800rpm. It’s a refined and relatively hushed engine, making a far less intrusive engine note than Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost does in the Fiesta, but performance is adequate rather than sporty.

Opt for the 90hp version and you’ll see a top speed of 112mph, accelerating from 0-62mph in 11.9 seconds; the 115hp edition generates figures of 121mph and 10.3 seconds.

With standard start/stop function and other EcoFlex fuel-saving measures, together with a six-speed manual gearbox, fuel efficiency is rated between 62.8mpg and 65.7mpg for the 90hp version and 56.5mpg and 57.6mpg for the 115hp model, depending upon wheel size and number of doors, resulting in CO2 emissions between 100g/km and 117g/km.

If you cover the sort of mileage that requires a diesel there are two improved versions of the 1.3-litre CDTi, producing 75hp and 95hp. Both motors are fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox, EcoFlex braking energy recovery and start/stop functions.

Choose the lower-powered diesel and your top speed potential is curbed at 102mph, going from 0-62mph in a pedestrian 14.8 seconds. The 94bhp engine manages 113mph and 11.9 seconds.

As is a theme on the Corsa, wheel size and body style vary the claimed efficiency results: the 75hp posts figures of 74.3mpg to 76.3mpg, with CO2 emissions of 99g/km to 100g/km, but these are bested by the 95hp version (83.1-88.3mpg, 85-89g/km CO2).

Discontinued in April 2019, the Corsa VXR performance model had a cult following among fast supermini enthusiasts thanks to its heady performance and visceral driving experience. We drove the uprated Performance Pack version in 2015 and this is what we had to say:

“Despite the Performance Pack’s name, on paper the Vauxhall Corsa VXR’s speed is the same whether or not you have it fitted. The numbers say it’ll cover 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds – which is very quick considering the price of the car – and top speed is an impressive 143mph.

But numbers mean little without perspective, and Vauxhall would be the first to boast that this car is slightly quicker to accelerate from 0-62mph than its main rival – the previous-generation Ford Fiesta ST.

Even better is how great it sounds with its Remus exhaust. The aftermarket specialist firm has built a system which reduces back pressure for better performance, but it sounds great too, especially with the Performance Pack fitted.

The turbocharged 1.6-litre is smooth, versatile and refined – though we did find we had to wait a little longer than the figures suggest for the full 280Nm of torque. Vauxhall claims it’s available from just 1,900rpm, but in the higher gears you’ll have to wait until at least 2,500rpm for something to happen. Even then it’s only available for five seconds on ‘overboost’. Still, it does feel as though it’s got the full 205hp and 245Nm the firm claims during normal driving.

It’s a good job too, since there’s another aspect to this car’s performance that feels brilliant: the gearchange. A conventional-enough six-speed manual ‘box, the VXR has been given a heavily revised, short-shifting lever which is an absolute joy to use.”

Handling

• Much improved driver involvement compared with its predecessor
• More accurate steering across the range than before, too
• Sportier models feature stiffer suspension

Previous editions of the Vauxhall Corsa weren’t the most engaging cars to drive, but the Mk5 variant brought about a welcome change of direction for the supermini.

Although this Corsa is based heavily on its predecessor’s underpinnings, the suspension has been thoroughly improved. This means it not only rides with greater compliance (particularly models with 16-inch wheels or smaller), but it also feels noticeably more nimble and precise in the way it changes direction.

Vauxhall lowered the car’s centre of gravity by 5mm which had a positive effect on the car’s handling, particularly when combined with the stiffer body structure and more accurate electric power steering, tuned specifically for the UK’s rough roads.

Corsas riding on 17-inch wheels have a stiffer suspension setup, as well as a more direct steering set-up. Combined with the more powerful (but discontinued) 1.0-litre engine, it’s almost fun to drive. It corners flat and tackles winding B-roads with gusto, while remaining positively compliant around town.

Where this set-up seems to falter is over undulating surfaces at higher speeds. The Corsa loses its composure here, as the suspension struggles to control the body. It feels like the chassis is still dealing with the last bump by the time you hit the next one.

You can forgive this more when the Corsa’s a (slightly) faster one, but combine the stiffer suspension with a less powerful engine and the combination isn’t alluring. Under heavier braking over such road surfaces, the Corsa also has a tendency to skip over the dips, making the car feel a little unstable.

Performance Pack transforms Vauxhall Corsa VXR

We couldn’t review this aspect of the VXR without first mentioning that it’s a game of two cars – the standard one and the optional Performance Pack-equipped version.

As a standard car with no optional extras, it would be difficult for us to call the Corsa VXR’s handling anything other than above average. Its steering has a decent-enough weighting to it but the lack of a clever front differential means the inside wheel spins up on the exit of corners, and that’s about it.

This VXR also doesn’t change direction in as sprightly a manner because it sits slightly higher with softer settings in the dampers, so there’s a modicum of extra body roll there.

Its suspension is a clever system which Vauxhall claims regulates itself, using a valve system to instantly adjust the car’s firmness based on the road conditions you’re driving on. In simple terms, the damper decides how soft or firm the car needs to be. It’s a system which works pretty well, but is best forgotten about really since the driver has no control over it.

You’ll probably never be able to detect the difference between the two unless you’re testing in a lab environment, but it’s worth noting that on a standard VXR there’s a noticeably more comfortable ride when driving slowly.

To really make it a rival for the cream of the crop in this class – namely the Ford Fiesta ST and the Peugeot 208 GTI by Peugeot Sport – you’re going to need to install the Performance Pack.

Very firm Vauxhall Corsa VXR Performance Pack ride quality

Available from new only as a factory-fitted extra, the Vauxhall Corsa VXR with Performance Pack is an entirely different thing. Forget any semblance of ride comfort – the clever adaptive dampers from specialists Koni make no apologies here.

The suspension springs allow the car to sit 10mm lower than the previous generation of this car, but also get retuned for a harder setting which eliminates most body roll.

Instead you get a car that changes direction impressively while boasting very impressive traction thanks to the clever limited-slip differential. This latter feature – built by specialists Drexler – is a huge part of the hot Corsa’s appeal.

It utterly transforms the handling, offering a level of driver engagement that few in this sector can rival. Simply get the car turned in and put the power down; you’ll be astonished at the purchase you’re afforded, even on wet and greasy roads.

The steering is a nicely set-up system too, feeling direct and accurate but also well weighted for enthusiastic driving. Special mention here goes to the steering wheel, which is sculpted to make it easier to keep the driver’s hands in the correct positon.