Hoot Car Guides Vauxhall CorsaOne of the enduring superminis, the Vauxhall Corsa (or Nova, as it was originally called in the UK) has been in production since 1983. Since then it has undergone four model revisions, the most recent being in 2006. Always a popular choice in this country, the Corsa is fun to drive and easy on your wallet, boasting consistently low prices and cheap Vauxhall car insurance rates. The new version raises its game in terms of style and safety, but at times it can seem overburdened by the new features. The Vauxhall Corsa at first glance
After the somewhat uninspiring lines of previous generations, Vauxhall's designers have really pulled the stops out with this latest edition, the Corsa D. The bodywork looks beefier and more aggressive than before, and you're struck by the impression that there's a much bigger car trapped in this small chassis.
The same is true of the interior, which features controls and fittings of a quality more in keeping with your average family saloon than a petite supermini. What's it like to drive?
With each generation, the Corsa is closing the handling gap with its old rival the Ford Fiesta, and the latest models are almost as much fun to drive.
However, smaller engine sizes tend to struggle under the weight of gadgets and safety features built into the new edition. It's easily solvable with a 1.4 or above, but once again it feels like a saloon's worth of parts have been shoe-horned into a supermini - and where this was a bonus in the looks department it detracts a fair bit from the car's performance. Space and seating
Unusually, the three-door version of the Corsa has one seat fewer than the five-door, as its body tapers inward towards the back. If what you're after is a small family car, however, the five-door - which boats good head- and leg room, front and back - is the perfect size.
Driving position is great, but for a full range of adjustments (including seat height and two-way movement for the steering column) you'll need to splash out one of the more expensive variants. The same is true of the Corsa's loading space. Basic models come with a small boot, but spend more money and you'll get folding rear seats and a lowering boot floor, substantially improving your shopping capacity. Safety features
The Corsa's five-star NCAP rating for Adult Passenger protection makes it a favourite among safety-conscious motorists. Even the cheapest models are plenty safe, and you can upgrade to a full complement of airbags, anti-skid brakes and more.
But while it's great in a crash, many have criticised the Vauxhall for its thick roof pillars, which seriously restrict driver visibility. Price and running costs
With dealerships charging as little as £7,495 (rising to £13,795 for a top spec model), the Corsa is very competitively priced - and the savings keep coming even after you've left the showroom.
Its extra weight may hurt performance, but it has minimal impact on fuel efficiency. Besides that, the aforementioned excellent safety rating means that a small-engined Corsa qualifies for a very cheap car insurance rate. Buying secondhand
Depreciation hits superminis hard, so buying used is an excellent choice. Older models now look a little dated and don't have the same big car appeal as the current Corsa, but they aren't carrying the extra weight, either.
The low cost of Vauxhall parts and servicing is another plus. Together with the Corsa's impressive reliability, it means a secondhand buy is in no danger of turning into a money pit. Looking for Vauxhall car insurance?
If you've just got your hands on a Corsa, you can look forward to cheap car insurance rates from practically any provider - but if you want to really maximise your savings, a quote from Hoot is a must.
Our approach to Vauxhall car insurance is simplicity in itself, and very effective when it comes to saving you money. We cut out all the unnecessary expenses (like advertising, and the cost of renting shops on the high street) and pass all the money we save directly back to you. As a result, many of our customers are 30 percent better off with Hoot Car Insurance Services than with their previous car insurance firm. It sounds incredible - but if you'd like to see these savings in black and white, just click below. 
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