Should you buy one?

The new Corsa isn’t vastly improved over its predecessor, so it’s still no class leader, lagging behind the leading Skoda Fabia and Renault Clio. Rather, it’s a good all-rounder. The ride and handling balance is a good compromise, the 100hp engine is frugal and performs well, and there’s enough space for four adults.

Seth Walton summed it up in his long-term test: ‘It can do a lot of things fairly well, the Corsa, but nothing brilliantly. I’ve struggled to really find any fault or true virtue in it at all.’

No doubt its sharper looks, new infotainment and new standard features have added showroom appeal, but that’s tempered by higher prices that make the Corsa less of the bargain it once was. But Vauxhall seemingly always has some great deals on offer, and that’s what maintains the Corsa’s perennial best-seller status, rather than the talent and desirability of the car itself.

What we like

The latest Corsa handles reasonably well, it has an acceptable amount of space for the class and a good range of technology, including a really user-friendly infotainment system. We also like its 100hp 1.2-litre petrol engine for its impressive blend of performance and economy.

What we don’t like

The ride’s harsh and the optional automatic gearbox is clunky. There isn’t much storage space in the cabin and there’s nowhere to put your phone while it’s connected to the infotainment system. The digital gauge cluster also looks cheap and doesn’t have the same sort of configurability offered by some rivals.