Vauxhall Corsa vs VW Polo & Ford Fiesta

Superminis are as much loved by car makers as they are by consumers. While these models may not have the glitz and glamour of SUVs or executives, they account for over a third of new car sales, making them the major breadwinners for manufacturers across the globe. 

As a result, the launch of a new contender from one of the class front-runners is always a big deal.

One of the UK’s biggest sellers is the Vauxhall Corsa. Even after eight years on sale, it’s a permanent fixture in the top five of the UK sales charts, but that hasn’t stopped Vauxhall from bringing it bang up to date.

Its latest revamp includes refreshed looks, new engines and an upgraded driving experience, but will it make the car a contender for class honours?

To find out, we’ve lined up a showdown for the Corsa with its arch-rivals: the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo. The Fiesta has always been the benchmark for handling, while the Polo sets new standards for comfort and refinement – and if the Corsa can match its rivals, we could have a new class champion on our hands.

• Vauxhall Corsa review

• Volkswagen Polo review

• Ford Fiesta review

Click the links above for full individual reviews, and scroll down to see the verdict of this supermini showdown...

Head-to-head

Design

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The Corsa’s styling update is definitely a change for the better. At the front, it takes cues from the Adam, featuring a distinctive grille with upturned edges and sharp headlamp units with bright LED daytime running lights.

The overall appearance makes the Fiesta’s snout look droopy in comparison, although both the Ford and Vauxhall have far more presence than the upright and restrained VW.

Technology

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While the Polo and Fiesta have optional sat-nav, Vauxhall’s IntelliLink infotainment system can be synchronised with a smartphone app called BrinGo. The system costs £50 and is a cheap nav solution, although judging by user reviews on the iTunes store, it’s not very reliable.

Pricing

Vauxhall has slashed nearly £3,000 off Corsa SRi models, with smaller reductions found across the entire range. This brings its pricing into line with rival makers, although dealers will focus more on finance options and monthly payments to try to persuade buyers into higher-spec models.

Verdict

1st place: Volkswagen Polo

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The battle in the supermini class is tougher than ever, but in this fight, we have to give the win to the Polo by a narrow margin. It’s comfortable and refined, handles well and is quick yet efficient. These are all attributes that fit the Corsa, too, although the Polo is our supermini of choice on account of its lower list price, marginally higher quality and more user-friendly infotainment system.

2nd place: Vauxhall Corsa

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The Corsa should be on any supermini buyer’s shortlist. It takes the cabin space and build quality of its predecessor and adds more engaging driving dynamics and greater efficiency to the mix. The new 1.0-litre turbo engine is a gem, thanks to its superb refinement and great real-world running costs, while Vauxhall’s new pricing strategy means the car is back in the supermini hunt.

3rd place: Ford Fiesta

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There’s nothing wrong with the Fiesta; it’s just that the newer Corsa and Polo feel more upmarket and have a greater breadth of ability on the road. It’s still the benchmark for sharp handling in the supermini class, but the quality of the interior and dash layout is a letdown. It’s also smaller than either of its rivals, while the engine isn’t as efficient as official figures suggest.

Vauxhall Corsa vs rivals: key specs