Vauxhall Corsa Electric Review

Price: £32,445 - £38,585

Electrifying.com score

7/10

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Here’s proof that the electric car is becoming ‘normal’ - one of the best-selling cars in Britain is now available as a petrol, diesel or electric version.

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  • Battery size: 50 - 51 kWh
  • Miles per kWh: 4.64
  • E-Rating™: A+

    Click here to find out more about our electric car Efficiency Rating.​

  • Max charge rate: 100 kW
  • Range: 222 - 246 miles
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  • Battery size: 50 - 51 kWh
  • Miles per kWh: 4.64
  • E-Rating™: A+

    Click here to find out more about our electric car Efficiency Rating.​

  • Max charge rate: 100 kW
  • Range: 222 - 246 miles
  • Vauxhall Corsa e
  • Electrifying.com E-Rating A+

Ginny Says

“The Corsa Electric doesn’t look or drive that differently to its petrol or diesel stablemates, comes with fast charging capability and has a respectable range. Save up for the newer 154bhp version if you can as it's faster and more efficient.”

Tom Says

“ A small electric hatch with 154bhp? That’s plenty. And the Corsa Electric also comes with the ability to charge with up to 100kW as standard - something you have to pay for with other cars. It looks decent, too.”

Driven and reviewed by 

Tom Barnard

 - 
24 Jan 2024

The Corsa Electric should be able to go at least 200 miles without needing to plug in and can charge quickly too. The bigger battery version is a better choice if you worry about range. 

  • Range:222 - 246 miles (WLTP Standard)
  • Battery:47- 51 kW
  • Home/Public charger (7kW):7.5hrs
  • Fast charging 20-80% (50kW):45 mins
  • Ultra Fast Charging (Supercharging) 20-80% (150kW):30 mins

Range    

The distance you’re able to drive the Corsa Electric between charges will largely depend on your mood. If you know you are only going a few miles and can charge at the end of the journey, you can select a ‘Sport’ mode which unlocks all of the electric motor’s performance, but will probably mean you’ll only be able to go 150-170 miles between charges. If it’s just a normal day and you’re commuting to work, then ‘Normal’ mode restricts the power but means you should be able to go 200+ without a charge. If you want to make the most of every watt or are going a long distance, select ‘Eco’ and you could stretch to 250 miles without needing to plug in. That would make a journey from Yorkshire to Heathrow comfortably within reach.

Battery 

Even the cheapest Corsa's battery is a generous 47kWh, which is big for this size of car but not quite top of its class. For example, the Renault Zoe has a 52kWh battery, a Kia Soul has 64kWh. The newer and more expensive versions use a new 51kWh pack mated to a more efficient motor, giving extra range.

As the Corsa Electric shares its bodyshell with a petrol version, the battery has been cleverly packaged to fit into the available space without eating into the room for passengers or luggage. The cells are split into two main sections under the front and rear seats with a few more linking them in the space usually occupied by the exhaust pipe. 

Charging

Topping up the batteries of the Vauxhall Corsa-e is very simple, using the most commonly available types of plug at home and when you are out and about. 

The Corsa can also accept a charge from a new generation of faster chargers too, if you can find one. If you use a rapid charger to top up while on a long journey, or perhaps don’t have off-street parking and charge just once a week, the Corsa can suck up the watts at 100kW rather than the usual 50kW. It means you can go from 20-80% in just half an hour, or from empty to full in an hour.

At home or work, the Corsa can also take an 11kW charge rather than the normal 7kW which means if you plug into an 11kW on-street charger a full charge should take five hours. Plug in to a 7kW home wallbox and it'll take seven hours 30 minutes.

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