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Vauxhall Corsa 2016 review

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Vauxhall Corsa 2016 — front three-quarter view

Overview

The 2016 Vauxhall Corsa E was Britain's most pragmatic small car: a heavily reworked version of the old Corsa D platform that arrived in late 2014 with sharper looks, a much-improved cabin and Vauxhall's IntelliLink touchscreen. Where the Fiesta chased drivers and the Polo chased premium feel, the Corsa chased value — a 1.4i 90PS Design three-door listed at £12,855 new, and the range stretched from the basic Life to the warm-looking Limited Edition and SRi VX-line.

The heartland engine is the 1.4i 90PS ecoFLEX: a 1.4-litre naturally aspirated petrol making 90PS and 130Nm, driving the front wheels through a five-speed manual. It is not quick — 0–62mph takes 13.2 seconds — but it is smooth, quiet and honest, officially returning 54.3mpg combined with 118–120g/km of CO2 (VED Band D, around £35 a year at current rates). As a Euro 6 petrol it is ULEZ-compliant and clean-air-zone exempt. Inside you get a 7-inch IntelliLink touchscreen with DAB, Bluetooth and smartphone projection on later 2016 cars, a heated windscreen even on base Life models, City Steering for parking, and on mid trims heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The 285-litre boot (1,120 litres folded) is competitive for the class.

As a used buy the 2016 Corsa is one of the cheapest small cars to run in Britain: insurance groups of just 5–7, parts from £5 for an oil filter, and typical asking prices of £2,500–£5,500. Owner-reliability data gives it a better-than-average score with low average repair bills. But do your checks: DVSA recalls cover steering-rack cracking on cars built June–July 2015 and a rack-failure risk on some October 2014–January 2015 cars, plus a known water leak under the driver's-side carpet — check for damp. And because most Corsas lived as short-trip urban cars with new drivers, demand full service history and inspect alloys and bodywork.

It is worth knowing what you are giving up: the Corsa E managed only four Euro NCAP stars in 2014 (against the Fiesta's five), with no standard autonomous braking, and that rating expired in 2021. Real-world economy also trails the brochure — owners average low-to-mid 40s mpg against the 54.3mpg NEDC claim. Pick a 2016 Energy or Excite for the best kit-per-pound (air-con, heated seats, touchscreen, DAB), and the Corsa remains a sensible, cheap-to-own used supermini.

UK price from: £12,855

Specifications

Engine	1.4L 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol (ecoFLEX)
Power	90 PS (89 bhp) @ 6,000 rpm
Torque	130 Nm (96 lb-ft)
Gearbox	5-speed manual
Drive	Front-wheel drive
0-62 mph	13.2 seconds
Top speed	109 mph
Fuel economy (NEDC)	54.3 mpg combined
CO2 emissions	120 g/km
Boot space	285 litres (1,120 litres seats folded)
Fuel tank	45 litres
Euro NCAP	4 stars (2014 test)
Insurance group	6
Warranty	3 years / 60,000 miles

Features

1.4-litre ecoFLEX naturally aspirated petrol (90PS, 130Nm)
Five-speed manual gearbox (four-speed auto and Easytronic also offered)
54.3mpg combined and 120g/km CO2 (NEDC), Euro 6 ULEZ-compliant
IntelliLink 7-inch touchscreen with DAB, Bluetooth and smartphone projection
Heated windscreen standard even on base Life models
Heated front seats and heated steering wheel (mid trims / Winter Pack)
City Steering mode for light low-speed manoeuvres
Cruise control with speed limiter and Vauxhall OnStar connectivity

Common parts & prices

Part	Price (GBP)	Notes
Front brake pads (set)	£39.99	Range £25-£60
Oil filter	£5.99
Engine air filter	£9.99
Cabin pollen filter	£12.99	Typical motor-factor price
Front wiper blades (pair)	£14.99
12V battery	£79.99	Typical motor-factor price

Prices are typical UK aftermarket/OEM guide prices and may vary by supplier.

Pros

Cheap to insure and run: groups 5–7, ~£35/year VED, parts from £5
Refined and comfortable — quiet at motorway speed, supple ride
Generous kit on mid trims: heated seats, touchscreen, DAB, cruise
ULEZ-compliant Euro 6 petrol with a proven, widely supported platform

Cons

Only four Euro NCAP stars (2014 test) — no standard autonomous braking
Leisurely 13.2-second 0–62mph; must be worked hard for motorway pace
Real-world economy trails the brochure: low-to-mid 40s mpg typical
Check steering-rack recalls and a known driver's-footwell water leak

Frequently asked questions

Is a 2016 Vauxhall Corsa 1.4 ULEZ compliant?

Yes. The 1.4i 90PS is Euro 6, so it meets ULEZ standards and enters London and other clean-air zones, such as Birmingham, without a daily charge.

How much is road tax on a 2016 Corsa 1.4?

With CO2 of 118–120g/km it sits in VED Band D — around £35 a year at current rates (it was £30 a year when new).

What insurance group is the 2016 Corsa 1.4?

Group 5–7 depending on trim — Design is group 6, Limited Edition group 7 — making it one of the cheaper small cars for new and young drivers.

What MPG will a 2016 Corsa 1.4 really return?

Officially 54.3mpg combined (NEDC), but real-world averages of 41–48mpg are more typical — expect low-40s around town.

Which 2016 Corsa trim is the best used buy?

Energy or Excite for kit per pound — air-con, heated seats and steering wheel, IntelliLink touchscreen and DAB. SE adds parking sensors and smartphone projection; Limited Edition and SRi look sportier but sit in group 7 for insurance.