The striking face-lifted Opel Corsa (in top-spec GS Line trim) visited us in the Overberg a while ago. It looks svelte and chic, but is it good enough to lure buyers away from VW and Hyundai dealerships?
Opel Corsa GS Line (2024) First Drive
Styling
I've loved Opel products for as long as I can remember, but some recent models were starting to look a little drab - and the previous Corsa was one of them (read our 2021 Corsa review here). Thankfully, Stellantis has been sprucing up the Opel division to look more attractive, and the latest Corsa is now a sexy-looking hatch, following the same design language as the fashion-forward Opel Mokka (read our review here) with its black Vizor front end, black badging and minimalist daytime running lamps.
On more than one occasion, people who saw the car commented that they loved its new look and that the Corsa has "come a long way". It certainly isn't a wallflower's car, and it's way more attractive and unique than VW's Polo, which I've become so accustomed to seeing that I've become a little bored with it.
Interior
While the Corsa's sheet metal is striking, the interior design is a bit 'meh' - it lacks the same sense of occasion that the exterior possesses. I was also hoping for more leather, even if it is the vegan variety - it's not like the GS Line model is cheap! Then, I discovered that our specific test model didn't have quite the same features as the GS Line models at Opel dealerships.
A quick look online clarified this, too. If you opt for the GS line, you will have sufficiently leathery and sporty-looking seats with a comfortable Alcantara-like section in the middle to prevent that pesky thigh singe in summer.
The interior build quality is very good—there are plenty of soft-touch plastics, the general layout is ergonomic, and the switchgear feels upmarket.
Opel's 10.0-inch Intellilink infotainment system takes centre stage, and it is reasonably straightforward to use, but if you employ smartphone mirroring, this becomes a no-brainer. This feature is not available in the entry-level Lite model, however.
It also helps that you have physical buttons for the air-conditioning, and climate control is part of the deal in the GS Line Corsa, along with other nice-to-haves such as high-beam assistance, a 180-degree view parking camera, an electric parking brake, height adjustable seats for the driver and front passenger, and rain-sensing windscreen wipers. All models are fitted with a 6-speaker sound system.
Space and Comfort
The area up front is suitable for drivers of all sizes, and a nice bonus is that the supportive front seats can be heated (only GS Line). Unfortunately, the rear bench is tighter than a frog's behind, and the boot is not very big either, making it less than ideal for parents of young kids who always travel with a stroller.
On the upside, all three seatbelts in the back are the three-point variety, but there are no rear USB ports. The lack of space and features in the rear means that the Corsa will probably be more suitable for singles and couples than families. Still, you could probably make it work with older toddlers and smaller primary school kids, as the door opens widely enough to easily fit a car seat, even though the Isofix points are quite fiddly to get to.
The Drive
While the Corsa may not have the most interesting cabin, its driving dynamics more than make up for this: It's everything you want from a hatchback without the 'hot hatch' premium: its steering is light, sharp, and direct (and it gets firmer the faster you go), its suspension is hard enough for playful and dynamic driving but pliant enough for Mzansi's poorly maintained road surfaces, and it corners admirably, with very little lean. And it has that sassy 3-cylinder growl to boot. You can't help but smile wherever you're driving.
In other words, it is perfect for the city but just as good on road trips, with brisk enough acceleration if you need to distance yourself from other traffic.
Performance
The front-wheel-driven Corsa's 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine (paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission) makes 96kW and 230Nm in the top-spec GS Line model, while the 6-speed manual Corsa Lite and Edition models make do with a decent 74kW and 205Nm.
Being the sportiest, the GS Line completes the obligatory 0-100 km/h sprint in an impressive 8.7 seconds (the manufacturer's figure), with the other models coming in at 9.9 seconds, which is quite impressive.
The GS Line is also the only automatic model in the lineup.
Related: How is the Hyundai i10 1.0T N Line's performance?
Fuel Consumption
You'll be tempted to drive the GS Line with zeal, so you probably won't easily attain figures under 7.0 L/100km, but it's a small price to pay for all the fun you'll have. If you're a chilled driver, 6.0 L/100 km is not out of reach.
Safety
Stellantis takes safety seriously, and all models are equipped with ESP, Hill-start assist, front and rear park distance control (rear PDC only in the Light model), lane-keep assistance, a tyre-pressure monitor, tyre deflation detection, front pedestrian detection, and six airbags. Impressive, right?
The Edition model adds a 180-degree camera and a blind spot monitor. At the same time, the GS Line model also gets traffic sign recognition, collision mitigation braking at low speeds, and a driver drowsiness alert.
As for safety ratings, the Opel Corsa received a 4-star crash test score from EuroNCAP back in 2019, but more recently, all variants of the Opel Corsa from 2022 onwards scored a five-star ANCAP safety rating.
Price
| Opel Corsa Lite 1.2T Manual | R 374 900 |
| Opel Corsa Edition 1.2T Manual | R 394 900 |
| Opel Corsa GS Line 1.2T Automatic (tested) | R 459 900 |
* All Corsas are sold with a 5-year/100 000km warranty, roadside assistance, and a 3-year/45 000km service plan.
Competitors
The Corsa's fiercest rivals include the Hyundai i20, Peugeot 208, Volkswagen Polo hatch, Renault Clio, Honda 2, and the Honda Fit. Don't forget the Toyota Starlet, which cost only R339 000.
Related: Hyundai i20 1.0T N Line (2024) Review
The Verdict
The Corsa is a wonderful and great-looking little car to drive if you can live with its limited rear passenger space and features for those in the back, smallish boot, and lacklustre cabin, but pitted against its counterparts from Korea and Germany, it outshines them in quite a few other departments.
Related: VW Polo 1.0TSI Life (2023) Review
I wouldn't recommend the top-spec GS Line trim; it is getting pricey. The Corsa Edition 1.2T Manual at R394 900 will do nicely.
Go and take one for a test drive - you won't be sorry.
