Summary
The Vauxhall Corsa Electric is a fully-electric version of the conventional Corsa supermini hatchback. It was launched alongside the conventional petrol and diesel models in late 2019, with first UK deliveries arriving in early 2020.
Up until about Summer 2022, the Corsa Electric was known as the Corsa-e. A similar rebranding has been applied to all of the company’s electric models (Mokka, Combo, Vivaro and Astra).
The new Corsa and Corsa Electric 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 Electric shares most of its components, including its electric motor and battery, with the Peugeot e-208.
An updated Vauxhall Corsa range arrived in the UK late in 2023. This is a facelift to the existing car, rather than an all-new model. The most obvious difference is revised front-end styling that brings the Corsa into line with Vauxhall’s newer models.
The Corsa Electric 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.
As of January 2025, the Vauxhall Corsa Electric has a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 71%. It scores highly for its low running costs and zero tailpipe emissions, but its safety rating is only average and media reviews have been poor – although this has been improving with the facelift model from late 2023 onwards.
- Vauxhall Corsa (petrol and diesel models) – Expert Rating
- More Vauxhall Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
Corsa Electric highlights
- Efficient powertrain
- Comfortable driving experience
- Well-equipped as standard
Corsa Electric lowlights
- Expensive when compared to rivals
- Cramped rear seating
- Interior trim is cheap in places
Key specifications
Body style: Small five-door hatch
Motor: electric, battery-powered
Price: From £32,445 on-road
Launched: Winter 2019/20
Last updated: Autumn 2023
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road tests 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.”
Read review
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Facelift range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Vauxhall’s electric supermini offers brisk performance and over 200 miles of range, but some rivals are better value for money.”
Author: Max Adams, Ellis Hyde
Read review
Model reviewed: Ultimate
Score: 8 / 10
“The all-electric Corsa is better than ever – but then it needs to be to justify the price rise. The areas where Vauxhall has focused its improvements are welcome, with decent infotainment, plus a battery and powertrain combination that rivals any in the segment. As ever, keen finance deals will be crucial to maintaining the Corsa’s popularity.”
Author: Alastair Crooks
Read review
Model reviewed: Anniversary Edition
Score: 8 / 10
“Vauxhall’s celebratory Corsa-e marks a milestone birthday for the brand’s supermini. It’s come a long way over the past four decades, and it’s easy to see why this latest model is Britain’s best-selling car – especially in all-electric form. The range updates for 2022 are solid and the Anniversary Edition looks great and feels like a bit of fun, but it’s backed up by ability.” (Sean Carson)
Read review
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.” (Andy Ingram)
Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: 2023 facelift range
Score: 8 / 10
“The Vauxhall Corsa Electric’s no-nonsense vision of zero emissions motoring was always appealing – sharper looks and improved tech sweeten the deal further.”
Author: Dan Trent
Read review
Model reviewed: Pre-facelift (2019 to 2023) range
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.”
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Facelift range
Score: 6 / 10
“Vauxhall’s facelift tweaks have made the Corsa Electric a much more desirable car. Its styling now stands up to the likes of the razor-sharp Peugeot e-208 and updated Renault Clio, while its new electric powertrain promises to make the car more usable day-to-day. The problem with the Corsa (and, indeed, most small electric cars from the western world) is its price. We’re concerned that buyers won’t spend the extra money on a Corsa Electric when faced with the wave of cheaper, equally talented Chinese rivals, especially in the current financial climate.”
Author: Luke Wilkinson
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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.”
Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Facelift range
Score: 7.6 / 10
“A useful range and huge dealer network add to the appeal of the Vauxhall Corsa Electric, but several electric rivals feel more special.”
Author: Alastair Crooks, Ivan Aistrop
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Facelift model
Score: 7 / 10
“The Vauxhall Corsa Electric looks great and is quiet and refined to drive, but there are better electric cars for the price.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Pre-facelift model
Score: 6 / 10
“The Vauxhall Corsa Electric is a small EV car with a decent range and good amounts of kit, but it’s expensive for a Corsa and the interior could be more exciting.”
Read review
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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Discover EV
Model reviewed: Elite Nav
Score: 7 / 10
“If you’re considering making the switch to an EV, the Vauxhall Corsa-e boasts decent range, impressive technology and an ease of use and familiarity that will appeal to those who are also a little risk-averse.”
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Driving Electric
Model reviewed: 2023 facelift range
Score: 8 / 10
“The evergreen Vauxhall Corsa Electric is much more expensive than the petrol version, but is comfortable, spacious and has a solid range nonetheless.”
Author: Tom Jervis
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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.”
Read review
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.”
Read review
Heycar
Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“Decent EV, but dull cabin.”
Read review
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”
Read review
The Sun
“With good body control and direct steering, the electric Vauxhall Corsa-e is a lot of fun”
Read review
The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: GS Long Range (2023 facelift)
Score: 8 / 10
“There’s a lot to like about the new Vauxhall Corsa, not least the fact that it still exists (in both petrol and electric form), when old rival Ford has chosen to ditch traditional hatchbacks altogether in this new electrified era. Time will tell whether the end of the Fiesta means the rise of the Corsa, but those choosing to buy Vauxhall’s supermini will be very happy with the strong mix of attractive design, choice of fuel type, practicality and impressive ride comfort.”
Author: Will Dron
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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”
Read review
Which EV?
Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“The Corsa-e channels some of the Vauxhall SRi heritage into a quasi-hot-hatch driving experience. But there are rough edges around the control system and instrumentation, while the range is behind Renault’s New Zoe, making this less of a practical EV choice.” (James Morris)
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: November 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 84%
Child protection: 86%
Vulnerable road users: 66%
Safety assist: 69%
Notes on safety rating
In May 2021, Euro NCAP confirmed that the Corsa Electric 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 Electric.
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
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of January 2025, the Vauxhall Corsa Electric 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 Electric is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing if and when it ever takes place. Check back again soon.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of August 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Vauxhall Corsa Electric to generate a rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Corsa Electric, we’ll publish the results here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 222 miles | B | 209 – 222 miles | B – B |
| Electrical efficiency | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 4.4 m/KWh | B | 4.1 – 4.4 m/KWh | B – C |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 24 | B | 24 – 25 | B – B |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £117 | A |
| Year 2 | £315 | A |
| Year 3 | £479 | A |
| Year 4 | £659 | A |
| Year 5 | £901 | A |
| Overall | £2,471 | A |
The Vauxhall Corsa Electric is a pretty cheap car to run, according to running cost data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our commercial partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Electricial efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon for petrol or diesel cars) is pretty good, which helps the Corsa to squeeze more than 220 miles out of a battery, on average. This is based on EU/UK government lab testing, so real-world driving will be lower, but is still decent for a small hatchback.
Servicing and insurance costs should be very good as well, so running a Vauxhall Corsa Electric should hopefully be a relatively painless experience.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Vauxhall Corsa Electric
Date: April 2024
Model types: All
Build dates: 12/2023 to 02/2024
Number of vehicles affected: 265
Defect: On affected vehicles incorrect MCU (Motor Control Unit) calibration may result in a loss of propulsion while driving.
Remedy: Update the MCU (Motor Control Unit) calibration.
Date: May 2023
Model types: All
Build dates: 10/2019 to 11/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 34,528
Defect: On affected vehicles, the AC compressor stator wiring could develop a fault leading to current loss inside the AC compressor that could result in a vehicle powertrain shutdown when driving.
Remedy: Reprogram the Powertrain Diagnosis ECU with updated software.
Date: January 2023
Model types: All
Build dates: 08/2022 to 12/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 3,666
Defect: There is an error in the software calibration of the traction battery control unit which could result in a loss of propulsion when driving.
Remedy: Update the software of the traction battery control unit.
Date: October 2022
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2019 to 05/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 6,361
Defect: Software does not allow the authorities to test according to regulation.
Remedy: Re-flash the Body Control software.
Date: February 2022
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2019 to 09/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 450
Defect: A potential for an intermittent internal connection issue on the DC/DC chip of the on-board charger.
Remedy: Check and if necessary replace the on-board charger and update with the latest software.
As of August 2024, there have been five DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Vauxhall Corsa Electric. These mostly cover software faults that control different aspects of the vehicle.
Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Vauxhall dealer.
If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used Corsa-e or Corsa Electric, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.
Security rating
Rating: Superior | Good | Basic | Poor | Unacceptable
Relay Attack: Fail
Date: March 2020
Model tested: Ultimate Turbo 100
The Vauxhall Corsa Electric 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 Corsa Electric 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 and Corsa Electric 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 Electric has received
2022
- Carbuyer Awards – Used Car of the Year + Best Used Small Car
2020
- The Sun Motor Awards – Car of the Year
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Vauxhall Corsa Electric, 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 Electric 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, while the Honda e is a smaller car.
- Vauxhall Corsa (petrol and diesel models) – Expert Rating
- More Vauxhall ratings, reviews, news and features
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Vauxhall Corsa family at The Car Expert
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