Vauxhall Corsa - Interior, design and technology

As in so many other areas, the latest Corsa has taken a big leap design-wise over its predecessor – a car that was based heavily on a design and technology that first hit showrooms all the way back in 2006. Using the PSA group CMP platform – also used by the Peugeot 208 and 2008, among others – the new model is 19mm wider and 44mm lower than the previous Corsa, which makes it look more squat and sporty on the road. The design is nothing revolutionary, but it’s well proportioned and looks smart in the metal.

The facelift in 2023 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, too: alongside the predictable greys and silvers, the likes of Voltaic Blue and Power Orange offer buyers more eye-catching options. Some colours are available with a contrasting black roof and door mirrors, too. 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. In automatic and Corsa Electric models, the gear selector stalk in the middle of the centre console was swapped for a toggle-style switch in the 2023 mid-life facelift. 

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As standard, the Corsa gets a pair of large analogue dials with a small LCD screen between them, but top spec models get a full-digital readout. It’s bright and easy to read, but the square seven-inch display looks like an afterthought within the instrument binnacle. From 2023, GS and Ultimate models get a larger 10-inch touchscreen as standard. 

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

Carrying over the infotainment setup from new parent group Stellantis comes with its pros and cons. For starters, the Corsa’s new touchscreen display looks great; whether it’s fitted with the 10-inch display used by top spec models or the 7-inch touchscreen, they both boast bright colours and clear graphics. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard, and there’s a cubby at the base of the dash which allows you to connect a smartphone via a USB port.

However, it’s not the easiest system to use. The menu layout isn’t as logical as the systems you’ll find in rivals from the Volkswagen or Hyundai groups, and we’ve found it to be a touch unresponsive on start-up. There are some physical controls – including the climate functions – to help with some options though, so the system is less of a pain than it is in the Peugeot 208. Ultimate models benefit from a panoramic reversing camera to make parking manoeuvres less stressful.