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 65% is firmly in the bottom half of the small car sector – although it is a point ahead of the more conventional petrol/diesel Corsa.
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 £25,805 on-road*
*price includes £1,500 government plug-in car grant
Launched: Winter 2019/20
Last updated: Winter 2021/22
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.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Vauxhall Corsa-e is a great all-rounder. It’s not the cheapest small electric car, but it has an impressive range and great on-board equipment. Its interior is quite dull, but it can charge very quickly and gets a home charger included in the price.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.4 / 10
“Vauxhall’s electric supermini has brisk performance and offers plenty of equipment, but some rivals are better value for money.”
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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: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Vauxhall Corsa-e is far from the most charismatic electric supermini; the Honda e and Mini Electric have it licked in that regard. But the Corsa-e’s ease of use and the relative familiarity of its driving experience are no less significant.”
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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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Car Keys
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“This electric Corsa continues doing everything this supermini has earned a reputation for over the years – being easy to live with, well-equipped and a generally excellent all-rounder.”
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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
Model reviewed:
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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Driving Electric
Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“The Vauxhall Corsa-e is a great small electric car. In fact, once you’ve got over the high purchase price, it’s hard to argue with its real-world range and rock-bottom running costs. But there are cheaper and equally capable models on the market, while larger, plusher rivals aren’t far out of reach, either.”
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Electrifying.com
Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“Closely related to the Peugeot e208, there’s a lot to like about the new Vauxhall Corsa e – not least that for those new to pure EV ownership, it doesn’t look, feel or drive very differently to any of its stablemates. But it’s decent 200+mile range helps, too.”
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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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Heycar
Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“Decent EV, but dull cabin.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Vauxhall Corsa-e certainly has a straightforward, no-nonsense appeal, but it also has the same drawbacks as its key rivals of cost and recharging times.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed:
Score: 8.2 / 10
“Vauxhall’s fully-electric car is an excellent gateway to EVs”
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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
Model reviewed:
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?
Model reviewed:
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.”
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Safety rating

Overall rating: 4 stars
Date tested: November 2019
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
As of March 2022, the Vauxhall Corsa-e has not yet been lab tested by Green NCAP.
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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