First released in the UK in 1993, the Vauxhall Corsa has become one of the nation’s most loved and best-selling cars. And while it has dominated the new car market this year according to SMMT, it has been equally dominant in the used market and was Hippo Leasing’s second most enquired model in 2021.
If you’re thinking of a used Vauxhall Corsa as your next car, it’s important to choose the right model for you. With that in mind, we thought we’d revisit our review and range guide from earlier this year…
Vauxhall Corsa SE
Best value for money
The SE is the entry-level Vauxhall Corsa. However, it’s far from basic. Much like the original Corsa in 1993, it comes with features not usually seen in its price range.
On top of modern and sophisticated styling, the Vauxhall Corsa SE boasts a seven-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – meaning you can turn your central screen into a sat-nav, read messages and stream music.
It also comes with cruise control for added comfort on longer motorway journeys, lane departure warning and speed sign recognition for extra safety, as well as 16-inch alloy wheels, which give the Corsa a smooth, quiet ride.
If you want even more, you can choose to upgrade to the SE Premium. With that comes heated seats and steering wheel to help make those cold winter mornings a bit more bearable, auto lights and wipers, bigger, 16-inch black alloys and rear parking sensors to help take the stress out of your weekly supermarket shop.
In terms of value for money, nothing in the Corsa range, or in fact the small hatchback market, comes close to the SE and SE Premium.
Vauxhall Corsa SE
- Modern styling
- Great entry-level equipment
- Extensive standard features
Vauxhall Corsa SE Premium
- Further styling improvements
- Even more great tech and features
- Best value for money in the range
Vauxhall Corsa SRi
Best for styling
SRi is a term most associated with good looks, fun driving and a sporty nature. And this version is no different.
On top of all the great elements that feature in the SE, the Vauxhall Corsa SRi also brings with it sports body styling, upgraded 17-inch bi-coloured alloy wheels and sports-style front seats.
It’s not the equivalent of what the VXR was to the Corsa in years gone by – for good or bad, we’ll let you decide – but it’s adorned with a more aggressive silhouette; one which helps create the SRi’s distinction from the rest of the range.
However, like the SE, the SRi also comes with a premium package, adding extra niceties such as heated elements, an electric parking brake – giving you more space in the cabin – electronic climate control for ultimate interior comfort and keyless entry and start.
So, if you’re looking for a sporty-looking hatchback, the SRi is ultimately the choice for you. And if you want a few added extras which help give the Corsa added prestige, choose the SRi Premium.
Vauxhall Corsa SRi
- Great sporty looks
- Packed full of sporty features
- Still excellent behind the wheel
Vauxhall Corsa SRi Premium
- Much more of a premium feel
- Retains its sporty nature
- Much-needed extras
Vauxhall Corsa Elite
Best for everyday living
The Vauxhall Corsa Elite, as the name would suggest, brings an added air of quality to the range compared to the entry-level SE.
That’s not to say the SE is cheap-feeling or basic – we believe it to be the best value for money model. But the Elite just adds an extra layer of refinement behind the wheel.
Its heated seats and steering wheel, black roof with rear tinted windows, auto headlights and wipers, front and rear parking sensors and panoramic rear-view camera really help to emphasise the vehicle’s progressive nature.
And like with most models in the range, you can amplify than further with the Elite Nav Premium, which adds upgraded 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, electronic climate control, keyless entry and start, as well as a bigger 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with built-in sat-nav.
Really, the Corsa Elite is the perfect everyday hatchback. It features everything you could need on the road, and more.
Vauxhall Corsa Elite
- Perfect for everyday driving
- Parking made much simpler
- More elegant drive
Vauxhall Corsa SRi Premium
- Bigger screen
- Significant styling improvement
- Everything you could need
Vauxhall Corsa Ultimate Nav
Best for the full Vauxhall Corsa experience
The Vauxhall Corsa Ultimate Nav helps take the Elite one step further. As well as featuring the same 10-inch touchscreen with in-built sat-nav you find in the Elite Nav Premium, there’s also climate control and wireless phone charging.
But what really helps the Ultimate Nav stand out is its adaptive cruise control, which adds a layer of eloquence not found in many other hatchbacks at this price point, as well as a driver seat massage function – something you usually have to spend Mercedes-Benz saloon money for.
Admittedly, all this luxury comes at a cost, but if you’re looking for the ultimate Vauxhall Corsa experience, you need to buy the Ultimate Vauxhall Corsa.
Vauxhall Corsa-e
Best for green driving
The Corsa-e is the all-electric version of Vauxhall’s famous hatchback. It comes in three trim levels – the Corsa-e SE Nav Premium, SRi Nav Premium and Elite Nav Premium.
With each model, you receive the same features and niceties you do in the standard, internal combustion variant. However, in the Corsa-e, that petrol or diesel power is replaced by a 50 kWh lithium-ion battery.
Unsurprisingly, it’s the greenest powertrain in the range. But what may come as a shock is just how good it is.
The Corsa-e provides 209 miles of driving range, which is almost as much as the Nissan Leaf e+ and more than the BMW i3.
It’s also nippy off the mark, climbing from 0-60mph in 7.6 seconds – which is by some way the fastest Vauxhall Corsa in the range.
And if you’re worried about it being impractical, you can recharge and be on your way again in just 30 minutes using one of the UK’s many rapid-charge points. Even at home, a full overnight charge will only take around five hours.
So, if you’re looking for a green and clean Corsa, but also the quickest and cheapest to run, then the Corsa-e is the one for you.
Best Vauxhall Corsa deals
So, now you know which Vauxhall Corsa is right for you, it’s time to find the best deal. Here at Hippo Leasing, we have a huge range of finance options available, including, as you might have guessed, leasing.
Leasing is undoubtedly the cheapest way to get behind the wheel of a Corsa, with both new and used deals available. Simply click the buttons below to browse…