Search Car Reviews



See all makes

Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa Eco

Whoever said that the youth have never had it so good hasn't been in an insurance office. For drivers under 21, even a basic policy can cost thousands, stretching limited budgets.

By Chris Thorp

July 2002

But Vauxhall now has a car in the UK to wipe the smile off the faces of premium-setters - the ΂£8,495 Corsa Eco. It's in the lowest insurance grouping, a claim which can only be mat-ched by the ultra-basic Fiat Seicento.
And cheap cover isn't the only way the newcomer will save cash - it's also capable of an impressive 58mpg. The 1.0-litre Eco uses a lowered chassis and rear spoiler along with fuel-saving tyres, aerodynamic trim and technical modifications to make the car miserly with fuel. Emissions are also down to a 118g/km, which is great news for company car drivers.

The obvious mechanical change is the semi-automatic gearbox. Named Easytronic, the system gives the driver the choice of a fully automatic mode or manual sequential gearshifting. The downside of a set-up designed for economy is a reluctance to kick-down if not using the stick, and while using the manual override allows swifter progress, cog-swapping is still sluggish.

Stretching the gearing to its limit, the Corsa takes an epic 18-seconds to hit 60mph from a standstill, but on the motorway the Eco performs well. However, the autobox searches for a lower gear as soon as there's a hint of an incline. If you are a new driver with little no-claims bonus, the Eco makes great sense - it's very affordable, promises low fuel bills, and is insurance- friendly. However, Vauxhall also has a Corsa which does 60mpg and dashes from 0-60mph in 13.5 seconds - the 1.7-litre Di diesel. Unfortunately, the oil-burner costs an extra ΂£500, and the insurance is group 3, so only more experienced drivers will go for it. The Eco isn't the quickest, but it's a quality all-rounder that's ideal for new motorists.

For an alternative review of the latest Vauxhall Corsa visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

What Next

For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift!

< Previous   Next >

Sponsored Results

0 Comment

Be the first to comment on this article

You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join.



Sponsored Results

More VAUXHALL CORSA articles


Related Index Pages

- Advertisement -

Pictures

Sponsored Results

Find New Cars

Find your new Vauxhall Corsa with our new car search:

Find New Cars
Find Used Cars

Find your Vauxhall Corsa with our used car search.

Find Used Cars

FIRST OPINION

    Despite returning 57mpg, Vaux-hall's Corsa Eco is bettered by its quicker, more frugal diesel sibling. However, if you're a young driver, the oil-burner may prove too costly, so the Eco makes a great choice for new motorists.
 

AT A GLANCE

    Corsa Eco on sale now, £8,495
    Falls into insurance group one
    Fuel-saving Easytronic gearbox
     
    - Advertisement -