Opel Corsa Enjoy 2012 Overview

Showing up to a party in old clothes rarely makes a good first impression, but the Opel Corsa has no choice. The brand has arrived in Australia and should start car sales in Europe.

The Corsa is a car that first rolled off the production line in 2006, and despite a nose and suspension upgrade in late 2010, the interior remains the same as the Nissan Almera. Except maybe $2000 more. And that does little to help VW's contender for the throne as a popular mainstream brand.

VALUE

The Corsa starts at $18,990 with a five-speed manual transmission mated to a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine. A four-speed automatic adds $2000, and a technology package that adds adaptive and automatic halogen headlights, rear parking sensors, a dimming rearview mirror, and rain-sensing wipers costs another $1250.

Standard equipment includes cruise control, keyless entry and 16-inch alloy wheels, as well as Bluetooth connectivity. USB/iPod inputs have also been added to 2013 model year vehicles, another sign that Corsa is playing catch-up with the VW Polo 77TSI and Ford Fiesta LX, both of which start at the same $18,990 price and have a more modern interior. . However, Opel does include scheduled flat-fee service ($249) for the first three years or 45,000 kilometers.

TECHNOLOGY

When you're trying to score goals in the car class, age wears you down. The Corsa's chassis is solid enough and the "FlexFloor" trunk is a great piece of kit, but for a small Opel, that's about it. The Bluetooth system doesn't stream audio, and the infotainment display, while full of features, comes in an orange monochrome color that won't be highlighted by sales staff, of course.

Design

The exterior is conservative, especially when parked next to newer cars. Lines are simple yet effective - functionality is at the forefront of this thoughtful, lightweight hatch. The legs and headroom in the rear seat are good enough for occasional adult use and more than adequate for transporting young teenagers. There isn't a lot of storage space in the cabin compared to its more modern rivals... but there's a new Corsa coming in 2014, at which point it should be back at the top of the pile.

SECURITY

EuroNCAP gave the Corsa five stars for adult protection when it was tested in 2006, although it was not involved in a local crash. European engineering ensures that the basic structure is well designed and built. The brakes - front disc and rear drum - are serviceable and linked to ABS software with traction and stability control. Six airbags soften the blow if something goes wrong.

DRIVING

As a primary vehicle, the Corsa doesn't disappoint...but it doesn't delight either. Acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h in manual mode takes a sluggish 13.9 seconds, reflecting the lack of torque from the 1.4-liter engine. Carsguide doesn't see the $2000 more expensive four-speed automatic performing any better. The electric steering is direct, although it favors light feedback.

And it doesn't instill confidence in cornering, despite the fact that the chassis and suspension keep the car clean even on rough roads. Installing a raised floor sunroof is a smart addition, but it won't put homeless people on the seats. In short, you really have to want the Opel badge to consider the Corsa. This is not the fault of Opel Australia - they had to launch products from this line, but I would postpone the release of a new car that will be much more representative of the brand.

VERDICT 

A reliable car that was up there with the class leaders when it was launched. Times have changed and others - Polo, Fiesta and Mazda2 - reflect advances in technology and represent a better value.

Opel Corsa Enjoy

Cost: $18,990

Guarantee: Three years/100,000 km

Resale: No

Service Intervals: 12 months/15,000 km

Engine: 1.4-liter four-cylinder, 74 kW/130 Nm

Transmission: Five-speed manual, four-speed automatic

Safety: Six airbags, ABS, ESC, TC

Accident Rating: Five stars

Body: 4 m (L), 1.94 m (W), 1.48 m (H)

The weight: 1092 kg (manual) 1077 kg (automatic)

Thirst: 5.8 l / 100 km, 136 g / km CO2

Spare: space splash