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Photo of a Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

Britain’s 2021 new-car champion: 40,914 registrations.1

Researched October 28, 2026 from 25 sources

At a glance

0150300
44–205 hpPower
01020
6.5–15.5 s0–100 km/h
0125250
145–230 km/hTop speed
0150300
82–266 N·mTorque
07501,500
835–1,223 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.24589

Engine
C: 1.0–1.8 L petrol/1.3–1.7 L diesel; F: petrol, diesel, hybrid, electric26
Layout
Front-wheel drive3
Gearbox
C: 5-speed manual/4-speed auto/Easytronic; F petrol: 6-speed manual/8-speed auto246
Built at
Corsa B: Opel Eisenach, Germany; Zaragoza, Spain3

The story

Created to replace the aging Chevette, Vauxhall’s Opel-based small car took the Corsa name in 1993. Chevrolet, Holden and Buick badges carried it abroad; the global family led world sales in 1998 with 910,839 sold.23

1993: Nova becomes Corsa B19931998: 910,839 sales lead the world19982000: Corsa C: an Astra-powered 1.8 SRi20002007: VXR arrives with 189 hp20072011: VXR Nurburgring gets a differential20112015: VXR: 205 hp and a Performance Pack20152019: Corsa F moves to PSA’s CMP platform20192021: Britain’s best-selling new car20212023: Vizor nose and a 156 hp electric option2023 Vauxhall Chevette: 1975–1984Vauxhall Nova (Opel Corsa A) (A): 1983–1993AVauxhall Corsa B (B): 1993–2000BVauxhall Corsa C (C): 2000–2006CVauxhall Corsa D (D): 2006–2014DVauxhall Corsa E (E): 2014–2019EVauxhall Corsa F (F): 2019–presentF 19801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones234616
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1975–1984Vauxhall Chevette
1983–1993Vauxhall Nova (Opel Corsa A) (A)
1993–2000Vauxhall Corsa B (B)
2000–2006Vauxhall Corsa C (C)
2006–2014Vauxhall Corsa D (D)
2014–2019Vauxhall Corsa E (E)
2019–presentVauxhall Corsa F (F)
1993Nova becomes Corsa B
1998910,839 sales lead the world
2000Corsa C: an Astra-powered 1.8 SRi
2007VXR arrives with 189 hp
2011VXR Nurburgring gets a differential
2015VXR: 205 hp and a Performance Pack
2019Corsa F moves to PSA’s CMP platform
2021Britain’s best-selling new car
2023Vizor nose and a 156 hp electric option
  1. 1993

    Nova becomes Corsa B

    Vauxhall retires Nova for Corsa B. The 1.6 L GSi 16V brings 105 hp and 150 Nm, 0–60 mph in 9.2 seconds and 195 km/h flat out.45

  2. 1998

    910,839 sales lead the world

    The global Corsa family sells 910,839 cars, topping the world sales chart while spanning four continents and five marques.3

  3. 2000

    Corsa C: an Astra-powered 1.8 SRi

    The Astra-sourced 1.8 L SRi delivers 125 hp and 164 Nm, reaches 60 mph in 8.0 seconds and tops out at 203 km/h.24

  4. 2007

    VXR arrives with 189 hp

    A 1.6 L turbo supplies 230 Nm, or 266 Nm on overboost; 0–100 km/h takes 6.8 seconds, with 225 km/h flat out.4

  5. 2011

    VXR Nurburgring gets a differential

    The VXR Nurburgring gets a limited-slip differential, Brembo brakes and Bilstein suspension lowered 20 mm; 0–100 km/h takes 6.5 seconds.4

  6. 2015

    VXR: 205 hp and a Performance Pack

    The 1.6 L turbo reaches 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds; a £2,400 Performance Pack adds Koni dampers, 330 mm Brembo brakes and a Drexler limited-slip differential.4

  7. 2019

    Corsa F moves to PSA’s CMP platform

    Corsa F switches to PSA’s CMP platform, shared with the Peugeot 208, and adds an electric drivetrain alongside petrol and diesel.26

  8. 2021

    Britain’s best-selling new car

    With 40,914 registrations, the Corsa becomes the UK’s best-selling new car, finishing 6,131 ahead of the Tesla Model 3.1

  9. 2023

    Vizor nose and a 156 hp electric option

    The facelift adds a 156 hp motor and 51 kWh battery option, with a reported 246-mile range; the 136 hp electric version stays in the lineup.7

Every generation

  • Vauxhall Chevette
    Vauxhall Chevette1975–1984
  • Vauxhall Nova (Opel Corsa A)
    A1983–1993
  • Vauxhall Corsa B
    B1993–2000
  • Vauxhall Corsa C
    C2000–2006
  • Vauxhall Corsa D
    D2006–2014
  • Vauxhall Corsa E
    E2014–2019
  • Vauxhall Corsa F
    F2019–present

Power over the years

From 105 hp to 205 hp in 22 years.

0100200300 1995200020052010201520202025 hp 1993 · 105 hp · GSi 1.6 16V2000 · 125 hp · 1.8 SRi2007 · 189 hp · VXR 1.6 Turbo2008 · 204 hp · VXR Arctic Edition2011 · 202 hp · VXR Nurburgring2015 · 205 hp · VXR 1.6 Turbo2018 · 150 hp · GSi 1.4 Turbo2021 · 134 hp · Corsa-e: 50 kWh, 209-mile WLTP range2023 · 156 hp · Corsa Electric, 51 kWh2026 · 99 hp · 1.2 Turbo petrol2026 · 109 hp · Hybrid, 109 hp2026 · 143 hp · 1.2 Turbo Hybrid 145 205 hp VXR 1.6 Turbo 105 hp GSi 1.6 16V
24671011
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1993105GSi 1.6 16V
20001251.8 SRi
2007189VXR 1.6 Turbo
2008204VXR Arctic Edition
2011202VXR Nurburgring
2015205VXR 1.6 Turbo
2018150GSi 1.4 Turbo
2021134Corsa-e: 50 kWh, 209-mile WLTP range
2023156Corsa Electric, 51 kWh
2026991.2 Turbo petrol
2026109Hybrid, 109 hp
20261431.2 Turbo Hybrid 145

Versions

12 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Corsa Yes / Design / GS / Ultimate

    Standard

    Corsa Yes / Design / GS / Ultimate

  • Corsa SXi

    Standard

    Corsa SXi

  • Corsa GSi 1.6 16v

    Performance

    Corsa GSi 1.6 16v

    1993–1994

    105 hp

  • Performance

    Corsa SRi 1.8

    2000

    125 hp
  • Corsa VXR (2007)

    Performance

    Corsa VXR (2007)

    2007

    189 hp
  • Corsa VXR (2015)

    Performance

    Corsa VXR (2015)

    2015–2018

    202 hp

  • Performance

    Corsa GSi (2018)

    2018–2020

    148 hp

  • Performance

    Corsa GSE

    2026

  • Special

    Corsa VXR Clubsport

    2014

    202 hp

  • Limited

    Corsa-e Anniversary Edition

    2022

  • Limited

    Corsa VXR Nurburgring Edition

    2011

    202 hp

    888 built

  • Limited

    Corsa VXR Arctic Edition

    2008

    204 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • From 2023, a black Vizor band links the Corsa's headlights across the nose.7

Year by year

  1. 1993

    Corsa B trades the Nova's squared-off arches and edges for a rounded body shape.2

  2. 1997

    Corsa B gains a V-shaped Vauxhall grille.24

  3. 2003

    Corsa C gains clear headlamp lenses and reshaped body-colored bumpers.24

  4. 2014

    Corsa E gains Adam-inspired bodywork but keeps the previous car's windows and roof.24

  5. 2019

    Corsa F becomes longer, wider and lower; the new generation is offered only as a five-door hatchback.26

  6. 2023

    Corsa F gains the black Vizor nose, five-spoke alloys, a shark-fin antenna and Corsa lettering below the rear badge.27

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Vauxhall Corsa
    Corsa
    Photo of a Holden Barina
    Holden Barina

    Holden Barina

    Corsa C-era versions look almost identical; the badges on the grille are the visible difference.4

Against its rivals

Prices

Value today $7.8K–$17.4K25

Price when newAuction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale
$100$1K$10K$100K 200020052010201520202025 Value today: $7,800–$17,420 1998 · $19,663 · UK Cabriolet, approx. $1.66/£2008 · $31,441 · UK VXR Arctic, approx. $1.85/£2014 · $36,944 · UK VXR Clubsport, approx. $1.65/£2018 · $15,554 · UK Griffin, approx. $1.33/£2018 · $25,263 · UK GSi, approx. $1.33/£2022 · $35,408 · UK Corsa-e GS Line, approx. $1.24/£2022 · $38,440 · UK Corsa-e Anniversary, $1.24/£ est.2026 · $26,176 · UK range base, approx. $1.30/£ 2026 · $1,430 · 2013 SXi (£1,100), Hampson Auctions2026 · $637 · 2005 Corsa (£490), WB & Sons2026 · $1,690 · 1994 LS (£1,300), Mathewsons2026 · $4,550 · 2004 Corsa (£3,500), Mathewsons2026 · $481 · 1998 Corsa (£370), WB & Sons2026 · $520 · 1999 Corsa (£400), WB & Sons2026 · $14,524 · 1995 GSI, 2-liter (£11,172), WB & Sons2026 · $715 · 2002 1.4 (£550), Mathewsons $14.5K WB & Sons, 2026
468910111424
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1998Price when new$19,663UK Cabriolet, approx. $1.66/£
2008Price when new$31,441UK VXR Arctic, approx. $1.85/£
2014Price when new$36,944UK VXR Clubsport, approx. $1.65/£
2018Price when new$15,554UK Griffin, approx. $1.33/£
2018Price when new$25,263UK GSi, approx. $1.33/£
2022Price when new$35,408UK Corsa-e GS Line, approx. $1.24/£
2022Price when new$38,440UK Corsa-e Anniversary, $1.24/£ est.
2026Price when new$26,176UK range base, approx. $1.30/£
2026Auction sale$1,4302013 SXi (£1,100), Hampson Auctions
2026Auction sale$6372005 Corsa (£490), WB & Sons
2026Auction sale$1,6901994 LS (£1,300), Mathewsons
2026Auction sale$4,5502004 Corsa (£3,500), Mathewsons
2026Auction sale$4811998 Corsa (£370), WB & Sons
2026Auction sale$5201999 Corsa (£400), WB & Sons
2026Auction sale$14,5241995 GSI, 2-liter (£11,172), WB & Sons
2026Auction sale$7152002 1.4 (£550), Mathewsons
2026Value today$7,800–$17,420

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 12 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “910,839 sales topped the world in 1998”
    • “40,914 registrations won Britain in 2021”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 7 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 25 sources
  1. The Vauxhall Corsa Was the UK's Best-Selling New Car in 2021| Vertu vertumotors.com
  2. 40 years of Vauxhall Corsa: group test review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  3. Opel Corsa - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  4. Vauxhall Nova to Corsa: A 40-year trip down memory lane - Motoring Research motoringresearch.com
  5. Opel Corsa B – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  6. Vauxhall Corsa review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  7. Facelifted Vauxhall Corsa now on sale | The Car Expert thecarexpert.co.uk
  8. Used Vauxhall Corsa (Mk4, 2014-2020) review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  9. Ford Fiesta ST vs Vauxhall Corsa VXR Clubsport review, price and specs | evo evo.co.uk
  10. Hot Corsa is all white | News | Vauxhall | by Car Enthusiast carenthusiast.com
  11. Vauxhall Corsa GSi 2018 review - Motoring Research motoringresearch.com
  12. How to buy a Vauxhall Corsa (2001-2006) – Haynes Manuals United Kingdom uk.haynes.com
  13. 'Used Vauxhall Corsa D buying guide: 2006-2014 (Mk4) | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  14. Vauxhall Corsa-e gets Anniversary Edition trim | The Car Expert thecarexpert.co.uk
  15. Lot 456: Classic Motoring Lot Bidding Ends: Wednesday 13th May 2026 at 2:29PM £3,500-4,500 - Brightwells brightwells.com
  16. Vauxhall Chevette - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  17. Hideo Kodama (designer) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  18. O’Donovan wins British RX season finale at Croft Circuit | Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship rallycrossbrx.com
  19. ENGLISH – Interview : Martin Schaufler, external designer of the Corsa 2019 – LIGNES/auto lignesauto.fr
  20. Opel Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo Unveiled - NEWS - gran-turismo.com gran-turismo.com
  21. 1995 VAUXHALL CORSA GSI 16V | Sat 27th & Sun 28th January | Anglia Car Auctions angliacarauctions.co.uk
  22. Vauxhall Corsa Problems: Common issues and Repair Costs | FixMyCar whocanfixmycar.com
  23. Compare Vauxhall Wetbelt Quotes From 652 Specialist Garages | FixMyCar whocanfixmycar.com
  24. Vauxhall Corsa For Sale & Price Guide | The Classic Valuer theclassicvaluer.com
  25. 9,396 used Vauxhall Corsa for sale | AskCar askcar.co.uk
  • vertumotors.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • motoringresearch.com
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • thecarexpert.co.uk
  • evo.co.uk
  • carenthusiast.com
  • uk.haynes.com
  • carbuyer.co.uk
  • brightwells.com
  • rallycrossbrx.com
  • lignesauto.fr
  • gran-turismo.com

Photo credits

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