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Published 29/10/2020
Published 29/10/2020
In this review we’ll cover what it’s like to charge, what it's like to drive, as well as how much it costs. Read on to find out more.
The Corsa-e is a purely electric version of the much loved Vauxhall Corsa. It’s a compact, yet practical 5-door hatchback that, unlike the standard Corsa, is powered by a 50kWh battery rather than a combustion engine. This means that the Corsa-e produces zero tailpipe emissions and provides a pretty-much guilt free option for those looking for an environmentally friendly means of transportation.
In terms of performance, the Corsa-e will produce around 260 nm of torque and 136 PS. The result is a 0-60 time will be achieved in 7.6 seconds.
Find out more about a lease on the Vauxhall Corsa-e
Well first things first, let’s talk about how far the Corsa has come in terms of design improvements. The latest model looks SO much better than any of its predecessors - something that seems to have taken inspiration from an Audi A1, or a little closer to home, the Vauxhall Adam. And unlike so many other EV vehicles, this car looks almost identical to the original, and not like a character from a Sci-Fi film.
The Corsa-e gets the same sloped roof, low and rounded bonnet and chrome-detailed grille. The only visual differences you’ll spot are the ‘e’ badges dotted around the car, and the different alloys, which remind us of those featured on certain Skoda Scala models. Take a look at a few comparison shots. Regular Corsa in grey, Corsa-e in red.
Whilst the regular Corsa has a wider range, the electric variant has a more compact offering to choose from. Two to be exact. Well, four if you count the choice between a 7.4 or 11kWh on-board charger. But simple is good, as in this case even the entry level ‘SE NAV’ comes with a decent amount of kit for the everyday Corsa driver.
Here are some of the highlights...
SE NAV
ELITE NAV
On a full charge and in optimum conditions, the Corsa-e should have a electric range of around 209 miles. That’s around 10 miles less than its biggest competitor, the Peugeot e-208, but significantly more than something like the new MINI electric. According to Vauxhall, the estimated charging times are as below.
With the 7.4kW On-board charger:
With the 11kW On-board charger:
Once at your chosen charging point, drivers are able to choose from 2 settings when it comes to charging their Corsa-e. The first is immediate and starts the charging process as soon as it's plugged in. The second allows charging to be preset to a specific time meaning it can make use of cheaper electric rates when power is less in demand.
The Corsa-e gets a 309 litre capacity boot, just 2 litres less than that in the e-208, but an ok-size for most uses. There’s a small amount of storage in the centre armrest, but just the 1 USB port as well as a 12v socket in the centre console.
Isofix points are hidden behind zips, which I do think will be a bit cumbersome unlike the easy flip covers you can get in some cars. As well as this, the rear doors don’t open particularly wide, so something to bear in mind if you’re wanting to regularly load a childseat in and out.
After noticing the less than practical cupholders in the Grandland X, I am glad to report that the Corsa-e doesn’t suffer the same fate: it offers cupholders that will actually fit a takeaway coffee cup without disfiguring the shape. It's the small things that please.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will connect to any compatible phone, no problem. ELITE NAV models benefit from a 10 inch colour touchscreen which is well angled towards the driver with a decent sat nav system. The main issue we have is with the panoramic reversing camera, which, how shall we put it… leaves a little to be desired. It’s not of the best quality and you’ll be much happier using the sensors (front on SE Nav, front and back on ELITE).
The Corsa-e also features a digital drivers’ display, which in all honesty I couldn’t figure out how to control until our Leasing Consultant, Josh, showed me (via a control behind the steering wheel if, like me, you didn’t know). But once you have worked this out, you can customise the display to suit you. Also make note of the auto headlights, cruise control, lane departure warning and lane positioning assistant.
The regular Corsa retails from just over £16,000, but as you can expect, this EV is much pricier, or at least it would be if you were buying outright. The standard Corsa-e is closer to £28,000 if you include a Plug-in Car Grant, and over £30,000 for the ELITE NAV. Which is near enough the same as you’d pay for the Peugeot e-208, Renault Zoe or a mid-range Nissan LEAF.
However, a Corsa-e lease makes it even more affordable, with low monthly payments, a full manufacturer's warranty and breakdown cover included. Check out our Corsa-e top leasing offers.
The Corsa-e is quicker than any of the other petrol or diesel Corsa variants by a country mile. Add the fact that the extra power comes with no extra guilt and no tailpipe emissions and you’ve got a mighty fine thing indeed. This is especially the case for company car drivers or frequenters of low emission zones.
This car really is such a stellar improvement on any previous Corsa, and is easily as enjoyable to drive as the Peugeot e-208. It’s not the most exciting electric car there is to drive, but those who go for this car probably aren't looking for that. But if what you are looking for is a good looking, small, fully-electric hatchback that handles well and doesn't break the bank this is certainly a car to go for.
