[Auto] Vauxhall Corsa Electric review £32,390 - £38,530

[GlaD1]

OVERVIEW
WHAT IS IT?
It’s the artist formerly known as the Vauxhall Corsa-e, now going by Vauxhall Corsa Electric. In case you hadn’t guessed yet, it’s the fully electric version of one of Britain's best-selling cars, and it's about as straightforward an electric car as you’re likely to get.

Only, we need to talk about the looks, because the Corsa has recently been treated to a not-so-subtle facelift. Yep, it becomes the final model in Vauxhall’s passenger car range to adopt the brand’s new design language, most notably that 'Vizor' front end, and it looks all the better for it, we reckon.

Additional exterior changes include the Corsa lettering spelled out across the rear bootlid, LED headlights, and redesigned alloy wheels, while the cabin has also undergone a (disappointingly) minor refresh – more on that below. Underneath it gets an additional bigger motor/battery pairing, as per the Peugeot e-208.

GO ON THEN, WHAT ARE THE POWERTRAIN OPTIONS?
Well, the previous 134bhp electric motor and 50kW battery pairing remains, but it’s been joined by a new 154bhp motor and 51kWh battery combo. The former offers a range of 222 miles, the latter 246 miles.

This is where the Corsa Electric jumps starkly ahead of its more vivaciously designed rivals. Its range blitzes the Fiat 500, Mini Electric and Honda e, and there are lots of thoughtful touches to make sure this is an EV you buy to own, not to make a statement.

Things like an 11kW on-board charger as standard, allowing for a full charge from empty in five hours and 15 minutes, or seven and a half hours using a 7kW home wallbox. A typical 10-80 per cent on a 100kW rapid charger takes 30 minutes.

SO WHAT'S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
There are surely few easier introductions to electric cars than this, primarily because it’s so similar to the ICE variant. Simply press the start button, pop it into D (or B, for extra regen) and you’re good to go. It really is as easy as that.

It’s all very conventional to drive too, with its nicely weighted steering, smooth acceleration/braking, and generally pleasing road manners. Even if it does occasionally get slightly unsettled. Click through to the Driving tab for the full lowdown.

The biggest letdown is arguably the cabin itself, which just doesn’t live up to the exterior’s makeover. OK, it gets a slightly redesigned steering wheel, a new toggle-style gear selector and suchlike, but overall it's still bland.

https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/vauxhall/corsa-electric