If you think the Corsa is showing its age dynamically, you should take a look inside. While the outside of the car retains a certain cuteness, the interior design looks old as the hill. The driving position is fundamentally flawed by the lack of the reach and rake adjustable steering that’s now standard on most new high-spec superminis and the dashboard layout, while fundamentally sound, is hardly the last word in style or function.
And, in these days when shopping cars seem to grow ever bigger with each successive generation, the Corsa feels rather cramped, particularly if you’re an adult with the bad luck to have to sit in the back. Compared to say, a Toyota Yaris, head and leg-room are both notably restricted.
Even so the Corsa is not entirely without static appeal. The car feels solidly constructed if somewhat cheaply trimmed and there’s no doubting the strength of its proven mechanicals.
At this price you’d expect an SXi Corsa to come with every conceivable option but in fact there are still some notable exceptions from the list. Air-conditioning is a steep £500 extra while even side-airbags will set you back a further £300. Were this a more modern car, they would be standard. You do, however, get alloys, electric front windows and mirrors and remote central locking as part of the standard specification.