Skip advert
Advertisement

Vauxhall Corsa VXR ClubSport review

Sporty new Vauxhall Corsa VXR ClubSport offers thrilling drive but is very expensive

Overall Auto Express rating

2.0

How we review cars
Find your Vauxhall Corsa
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Few small hot hatches come close to matching the Vauxhall Corsa VXR ClubSport for raw cornering agility and hard-edged excitement. However the Corsa feels old now, and the dated cabin, firm ride and incredibly high price make it difficult to recommend over its newer and cheaper rivals. Cars like the Ford Fiesta ST might not be as raucous or come with a limited-slip diff, but it’s a better all-rounder than the extreme Vauxhall.

Advertisement - Article continues below

After a wave of new hot hatch arrivals last year, the ageing Vauxhall Corsa VXR has been left by the wayside – but the new ClubSport edition is here to change all that.

Based on the same basic specification as the track-focused Nurburgring edition, the VXR ClubSport comes with a tweaked version of the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine with 202bhp and 250Nm of torque – so it sprints from 0-60mph in just 6.5 seconds.

Best hot hatchbacks

However what really sets it apart from newer rivals like the Ford Fiesta ST is the sheer number of specialist high-performance parts on offer. The huge Brembo brakes, a Remus dual-exhaust system, lowered Bilstein springs and dampers and a Drexler limited-slip differential all give the Corsa a hard-edged focus that you’d expect to find in the class above, and transform the way that it drives on a demanding road.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Q2

2024 Audi

Q2

46,425 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £16,897
View Q2
Tucson

2023 Hyundai

Tucson

44,830 milesManualPetrol1.6L

Cash £16,297
View Tucson
Q2

2020 Audi

Q2

40,456 milesManualDiesel1.6L

Cash £16,197
View Q2
2008

2022 Peugeot

2008

36,058 milesAutomaticPetrol1.2L

Cash £16,197
View 2008

There is a huge amount of grip from the front wheels in tight corners, and the limited-slip differential lets you open up the throttle without any unwanted torque steer. The accurate steering and well-judged controls allow you to access the frantic performance of the engine and the supportive Recaro seats hold you very tightly in place.

Refinement leaves a bit to be desired though. There is quite a lot of wind and road noise and the booming exhaust note gets tiring.

This is not a hot hatch for those who want to keep a low profile. The 18-inch gloss black alloys and big wing might look great, but if you catch a series of bumps in the road then the firm suspension throws you unceremoniously around the tinny cabin.

Despite the ClubSport badges, gloss black trim, drilled pedals and flat-bottomed steering wheel the interior of the Corsa feels desperately out of date. The button strewn centre console and low rent switches are two generations behind rivals and not appropriate for a car that costs £22,390.

The ClubSport is over £5,000 more that a basic Fiesta ST, a car that doesn’t feel as extreme but has more torque and will cost less to run. While most modern hot hatches manage to emit less than 150g/km of CO2, the Corsa returns a less impressive 178g/km and 37.2mpg.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,911 off RRP*Used from £31,499
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £8,094 off RRP*Used from £13,199
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,721 off RRP*Used from £8,773
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £25,915Avg. savings £1,882 off RRP*Used from £18,900
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering
Opinion - Shanghai Auto Show

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering

This new brand of cars might have battery tech on their side, but European buyers want much more than that
Opinion
25 Apr 2025
New electric car MoT tests could be coming to the UK
Tesla Model X on two-post inspection ramp

New electric car MoT tests could be coming to the UK

New technology and driver assistance systems require changes to annual testing, says EC
News
25 Apr 2025
Buying a modern used car for under £10k is almost impossible
Opinion - £10k used cars

Buying a modern used car for under £10k is almost impossible

Phil McNamara discovers that it’s harder than ever to find a good-value car at the affordable end of the market
Opinion
24 Apr 2025