Summary
The Vauxhall Corsa-e is a fully-electric version of the new Corsa supermini hatchback. It was launched alongside the conventional petrol and diesel models in late 2019, with first UK deliveries arriving in early 2020 just before the UK went into lockdown as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The new Corsa and Corsa-e are the first built under PSA’s ownership of Vauxhall, after previous owners GM sold the brand to PSA in 2017. As a result, the Corsa-e shares most of its components, including its electric motor and battery, with the Peugeot e-208.
Initial reviews of the Vauxhall Corsa-e have been positive, although its current Expert Rating of 63% is exactly the same as the petrol/diesel Corsa and firmly in the bottom half of the small car sector. We will keep updating our Expert Ratings on a regular basis, so make sure to keep checking back for the latest updates.
The Corsa-e has been praised for its overall comfort and general feeling of familarity, which could be reassuring for buyers who are unsure about making the jump to an electric car. However, it’s not considered as stylish and appealing as the closely-related Peugeot e-208, and it’s also expensive to purchase compared to a regular petrol Corsa.
- Vauxhall Corsa (petrol and diesel models) – Expert Rating
- More Vauxhall ratings, reviews, news and features
Key specifications
Body style: Small five-door hatch
Motor: electric, battery-powered
Price: From £27,140 on-road*
*price includes £2,500 government plug-in car grant
Launched: Winter 2019/20
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Score: 7.4 / 10
“The Corsa-e is a good first attempt at an electric supermini. Buyers may appreciate how ‘normal’ it feels and low running costs.”
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Score: 6 / 10
“The Vauxhall Corsa-e is an electric car with impressive technology and a familiarity that many potential buyers could find appealing. But this new supermini lacks the value-for-money edge that could really propel it into contention as one of the best small electric cars.”
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Auto Trader
Score: 7 / 10
“The Vauxhall Corsa-e is very expensive to buy, compared with a standard petrol-engined Corsa, especially if you’re paying outright. However, over the three years you’ll probably own it, that cost will be offset by the lower running costs.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: 7.4kW Elite Nav
Score: 8 / 10
“As an introduction to the world of electric cars, the Vauxhall Corsa-e makes a strong case for itself. The driving experience isn’t as radical as some, the styling even less so, but it’s in the feel of familiarity where this car really wins. It’s the EV for people who didn’t really know they wanted one.”
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Car
Score: 8 / 10
“While it doesn’t have the instant appeal of its Peugeot 208 sister, the Vauxhall Corsa-e grows on you with its maturity and ease of use. It’s comfy, nippy and a deal more practical than some of the rivals.”
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Carbuyer
Score: 7.4 / 10
“A useful range and huge dealer network add to the appeal of the Vauxhall Corsa-e, but several electric rivals feel more special.”
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Carwow
Score: 8 / 10
“The Vauxhall Corsa-e is a small electric car with a decent range and good amounts of kit, but it’s expensive for a Corsa and the interior feels a little dour.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: Elite Nav
“A range of more than 200 miles makes for a stress-free EV experience, and the Vauxhall Corsa-e is good to drive, tidily styled and well-equipped, especially in higher-spec Elite form.”
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Daily Mirror
Score: 6 / 10
“The Vauxhall Corsa-e is the perfect car for those wanting to take the plunge into EV ownership while doing it in something that feels reassuringly familiar.”
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Green Car Guide
Score: 9 / 10
“Although it’s built on the same platform as the Peugeot e-208, the Vauxhall Corsa-e is designed to appeal to Vauxhall buyers.”
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Honest John
“Electric version of the Vauxhall Corsa, closely related to the Peugeot e-208.”
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Parkers
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The all-new Vauxhall Corsa-e is aiming to shake up the electric car market”
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The Sun
“With good body control and direct steering, the electric Vauxhall Corsa-e is a lot of fun”
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The Telegraph
Score: 6 / 10
“Its dour, cramped interior is still the Vauxhall Corsa-e’s major failing. But you might just be able to see your way past this flaw if you’re crying out for a small electric car that’s good fun to drive, because the Corsa is just that.”
Read review
Score: 8 / 10
“Smart, grown up and comfortable, the Corsa-e also provides a more sensible trade-off between performance and range than the current breed of super battery saloons. It’s a brilliant second car, but that 209 miles of range isn’t really enough to justify the Corsa-e as your only car.”
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Top Gear
Score: 7 / 10
“The Vauxhall Corsa’s gone EV with as little risk as possible, and ought to be a doddle to drive every day as a result”
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What Car?
Score: 8 / 10
“Although some rivals can travel for longer on a charge and others are considerably cheaper, the Vauxhall Corsa-e is a great all-rounder and a fine car in its own right. It’s not quite as comfortable or as flashy inside as an e-208, but its slightly sharper handling and more conventional interior layout make it a convincing alternative.”
Read review
Safety rating
Notes on safety rating
In May 2021, Euro NCAP confirmed that the electric Corsa-e is now included in the overall Vauxhall Corsa safety rating. The regular combustion-engined Corsa (ie – all petrol and diesel models) was tested back in 2019, and its four-star score now applies to the Corsa-e.
Euro NCAP requires either separate testing or substantial evidence from car manufacturers before applying a safety rating to an electric version of a petrol/diesel car. This is because of the substantial differences in the car’s composition resulting from replacing the engine, gearbox and fuel system with an electric motor and battery.
Eco rating
No eco rating
The Vauxhall Corsa-e has not yet been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP. As yet, very few new cars have been tested for environmental impact by Green NCAP, and inevitable the testing programme was halted in early 2020 by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the Corsa-e is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing if and when it ever takes place. Check back again soon.
Security rating
Rating: Superior | Good | Basic | Poor | Unacceptable
Relay Attack: Fail
Date: March 2020
Model tested: Ultimate Turbo 100
The Vauxhall Corsa-e hasn’t specifically been tested for anti-theft protection by Thatcham Research, but the regular petrol Corsa has and it shares its technology with the electric Corsa-e so the same rating applies.
The Corsa automatically received a Poor rating from Thatcham because it failed a relay attack test, which measures the security of a car’s keyless entry and/or keyless start system. The Vauxhall Corsa-e and Corsa models are susceptible to thieves intercepting the car’s keyless signal and using it to steal the car.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Vauxhall Corsa-e has received
2020
- The Sun Motor Awards – Car of the Year
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Vauxhall Corsa-e, you might also be interested in these alternatives
BMW i3 | Fiat 500 Electric | Honda e | Kia Soul EV | Mini Electric | Peugeot e-208 | Renault Zoe | SEAT Mii Electric | Smart EQ Forfour | Toyota Yaris Hybrid | Volkswagen e-Up
The Vauxhall Corsa-e is based on the Peugeot e-208, so the two models share the same electric motor and battery pack, as well as most of their key components. The Mini Electric and Renault Zoe are a similar size to the Corsa-e, while the Honda e is a smaller car.
- Vauxhall Corsa (petrol and diesel models) – Expert Rating
- More Vauxhall ratings, reviews, news and features
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