Vauxhall Corsa - Interior, design and technology

Using the Stellantis group CMP platform – that also underpins the Peugeot 208 and 2008, among others – the Corsa is 19mm wider and 44mm lower than the previous model, which makes it look more squat on the road. The design is nothing revolutionary, but it’s well-proportioned and looks smart in the metal.

The facelift saw the Corsa adopt Vauxhall’s ‘vizor’ design at the front – incorporating the headlights and the grille into a horizontal strip. This update also added new trims to the range.

There’s a lively colour palette to choose from. Alongside the predictable greys and silvers, the far more vibrant Voltaic Blue and Power Orange offer buyers more eye-catching options. Some colours are available, with a contrasting black roof and door mirrors. Entry-level Design cars come with 16-inch alloys, while all other trims feature bigger 17-inch rims.

Step inside, and the Corsa’s tidy, if unremarkable, design theme continues. The dashboard is neatly laid out, with a familiar Vauxhall steering wheel sitting beside a new PSA-derived infotainment system. Unlike the Peugeot 208, however, the Corsa still sticks with physical controls for the air conditioning system, which will be a welcome decision for many buyers because it’s easier to use than stabbing away at a screen while you’re driving. In automatic models, the gear selector in the middle of the centre console has been swapped for a toggle-style switch similar to what we’ve seen in the Vauxhall Corsa Electric. 

As standard, the Design trim Corsa gets a pair of large analogue dials with a small LCD screen between them, but GS trim and above (or all Corsa Electric models) get a full-digital readout. It’s bright, but the square seven-inch display looks like an afterthought within the instrument binnacle. 

Rear parking sensors are standard, while GS trim adds front parking sensors and a reversing camera. Ultimate models benefit from a panoramic reversing camera to make parking manoeuvres less stressful.

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Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

The Corsa’s 10-inch touchscreen display has clear graphics and is much slicker than what’s gone before. It comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, and there’s a cubby at the base of the dash which allows you to connect a smartphone via a USB port – although it isn’t big enough for some of the larger smartphones that are available.

However, it’s not the most straightforward system to use. The menu layout isn’t as logical as the systems you’ll find from the Hyundai group. 

Wireless phone charging is standard on the top-of-the-range Ultimate, or if you specifically opt for the longer range 51kWh Corsa Electric in GS trim.