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While superminis are becoming less common, particularly in South Africa, where crossovers and bakkies are the preferred family vehicles, the Opel Corsa nameplate has maintained a market presence since the Corsa B was introduced in 1996.
It appealed to people of all ages, from teenagers to pensioners, and surprisingly, a few well-maintained examples can still be found on our roads today, demonstrating their enduring dependability over the years.
The Corsa entered its sixth generation in 2019, and now, five years later, the supermini has undergone a life-cycle refresh to keep it competitive in the space where the VW Polo, Renault Clio, Hyundai i20, Kia Rio, and now-defunct Ford Fiesta compete. It has recently been given a life-cycle refresh, and it’s still a familiar product, with many of its bits and pieces shared with the Peugeot 208 we sampled in 2022.
While it’s related to the French supermini, it’s not just a cut-and-paste job, and Opel has gone to extra lengths to make the Corsa, particularly in its GS Line trim, different inside and out, thanks to the brand’s now-familiar Vizor front end, new headlights, fog lights, black roof, black badging, black Corsa lettering, and stylish 16-inch alloy wheels that give the supermini a well-dressed stance.
Upon entering, one quickly notices a design that lacks the same boldness and flair as a finely tailored grey suit at a wedding. While the changes from the pre-facelift model are not extensive, they do feel somewhat blunt, and there’s little sense of style, ambition, or attraction—all things the 208 executes well. Although lacking any overtly ‘special’ elements, the interior boasts solid craftsmanship, with most materials of commendable quality, while its refinement is the car’s attraction point.
In terms of technology, the vehicle doesn’t make waves, but it’s worth noting the inclusion of a new 10-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 7-inch digital instrument cluster. Regrettably, the latter lacks wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity—a feature that some competitors, such as the VW Polo, offer as standard. Additionally, the absence of heated seats, despite Opel’s claim that the GS Line includes them, is somewhat disappointing, especially in the clutches of winter. As if that weren’t enough, the lack of keyless entry forces us to revert to conventional key-in-ignition start-up.
While space isn’t the Corsa’s standout feature, it does manage to provide ample room for tall adults, with the rear seats falling short in terms of legroom. The 309-litre boot space (1,081 litres when the rear seats are folded flat) is respectable, though not class-leading. For comparison, the Polo offers 351 litres, while the Clio boasts 391 litres of luggage space.
Being the top-of-the-range model in the Corsa range, the GS Line is powered by a peppy 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged engine with 96kW and 205Nm delivered to the front wheels via a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The power delivery is both smooth and predictable, with strong pulling power even at higher revs. Even though the gearbox exhibits some jerkiness when moving slowly, it has incredible precision once it gains some speed. For performance aficionados, Opel quotes a 0-100km/h time of 8.7 seconds, but it certainly feels quicker than that—outpacing both the Polo and Clio, on paper at least.
When it comes to handling, the Corsa offers excellent grip levels, but it doesn't feel quite as dynamic as its donor Peugeot 208. It has now become a mature, comfortable, and well-mannered vehicle on the road, thanks to a well-damped and insulated cabin.
Among its many impressive features, the Corsa stands out for its impressive fuel efficiency and a competitive price tag of R459,900. During our week-long test, we achieved an average consumption of 6.2l/100km, possibly even lower figures when driving mindfully. However, akin to many vehicles equipped with small fuel tanks, the Corsa’s 44-litre capacity requires regular refuelling during extended trips.
While previous Corsa iterations were criticised for their lack of appeal, the facelifted model stands out as a refined, efficient, and comfortable option. Its mature design enhances desirability, serving as a promising glimpse into the brand’s bright future.
On the other hand, the Peugeot 208, with its sporty manners and stylish interior, appeals to those seeking a dynamic driving experience, but be prepared to fork out R30,000 more for the GT variant or R15,900 more if you want to look at the Polo R-Line. This enduring supermini with now-French DNA still has a place on our roads, despite the rise of crossovers and bakkies. It's still an appealing buy thanks to its strong mix of style and maturity, but only time will tell if the updated model will help the nameplate again find favour with buyers.
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