Summary
The Vauxhall Corsa Electric 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.
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 the forthcoming 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.
As of September 2023, the Corsa Electric has an Expert Rating of 62%, based on 29 different UK reviews, which places it firmly in the midfield of the small car sector – and exactly the same score as the more conventional petrol/diesel Corsa.
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.
An updated Vauxhall Corsa range is due to arrive in the UK before the end of 2023. This is a facelift to the existing car, rather than an all-new model. The most obvious difference will be revised front-end styling that brings the Corsa into line with Vauxhall’s newer models.
- 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 £34,080 on-road
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:
Score: 7 / 10
“It might not be the most exciting electric car we’ve tested, but the Vauxhall Corsa Electric (formerly the Vauxhall Corsa-e) is still one of the best small electric cars around.”
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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)
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Vauxhall Corsa is miles better than the car it replaced, offering a much more convincing blend of performance, economy, comfort and driving pleasure. All of the technology on-board is bang up-to-date, but the whole package is a little overpriced; key rivals like the Ford Fiesta and Renault Clio are similarly rounded, but better to drive and cheaper to buy.”
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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)
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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: Anniversary Edition
Score: 8 / 10
“While the updates do add to the Vauxhall Corsa-e’s strengths, its limitations do remain: space in the second row is limited and the boot is small. If you’re looking for an EV purely as a second car that might be fine, but it’s worth noting that you can get larger EVs, such as the MG 4 hatch or Kia Niro EV, for similar or less money.”
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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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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:
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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Move Electric
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“This is not an electric car to get your pulse racing, but as a hassle-free entry to EV ownership, the Vauxhall Corsa-e ticks plenty of boxes. It has a decent range, zippy performance and is easy to drive, plus there’s all the kit you need and enough space for most. And, of course, it’s a bit of a bargain to boot.” (James Disdale)
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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.”
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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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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)
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Which?
Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Vauxhall Corsa-e is a decent full-electric small car with just enough range to satisfy most owners. Its peppy performance and low running costs are appealing, and it’s easy to drive. Cramped rear seats aside, it’s a solid choice and a Which? Best Buy.”
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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.
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of September 2023, 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 data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of September 2023, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Vauxhall Corsa Electric to generate a rating. Our reliability score is based on warranty data provided exclusively to us by our commercial partner, MotorEasy.
As soon as MotorEasy has enough data on the Vauxhall Corsa Electric to generate a reliability score, we’ll update this section of the page.
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.
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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