Vauxhall Corsa Generations, Specs and Best Versions to Buy

Full guide to Vauxhall Corsa generations from 1993 to present: specs, power ranges from 45 to 150 hp, and the best petrol, diesel and electric versions to buy.

The Vauxhall Corsa is a micro-class car built from 1993 to the present, with outputs spanning 45 to 150 hp across its history. It suits city drivers who want a compact front-wheel-drive hatchback, from frugal diesels to 150 hp hot versions and, in the latest range, an electric variant. A look at vauxhall corsa specs across six generations shows how wide the family really is.

Vauxhall Corsa generations

Anyone comparing vauxhall corsa generations will find seven distinct stages, all micro-class and all front-wheel drive.

2 generation (1993–2000)

The 2 generation Vauxhall Corsa ran from 1993 to 2000 with 24 modifications from 45 to 109 hp — the largest count of any generation — offered with manual and automatic gearboxes. The volume choice was the 1.2 MT with a 1199 cc engine and 65 hp (0–100 km/h in 14.0 s), while the 1.6 MT topped the range with a 1598 cc unit, 109 hp, 9.5 s to 100 km/h and 7.2 l/100km. Diesel buyers had the 1488 cc 1.5 MT with 67 hp at 5.7 l/100km and 14.0 s to 100 km/h, and the later 1686 cc 1.7 MT with 60 hp and a leisurely 16.0 s sprint.

3 generation (2000–2003)

The 3 generation, built 2000–2003, narrowed the line-up to 8 modifications between 58 and 125 hp, adding an automated manual gearbox. The 1.2 DSG with 75 hp (13.0 s, 6.3 l/100km) was the mass version; the 1796 cc 1.8 MT delivered 125 hp, 9.0 s to 100 km/h and 7.9 l/100km. The 1686 cc 1.7 diesel came in 65 hp (13.5 s) and 75 hp (12.5 s) forms, both returning 4.7 l/100km.

3 generation, restyling (2003–2006)

The restyled 3 generation (2003–2006) offered 12 modifications from 60 to 125 hp with manual, automatic and automated manual gearboxes. The 1.2 DSG grew to a 1229 cc engine with 80 hp (12.8 s, 5.3 l/100km), and the 1.8 MT kept 125 hp while cutting the sprint to 8.0 s at 7.5 l/100km. The 1248 cc 1.3 DSG diesel with 70 hp used just 4.4 l/100km, and the 1.7 MT diesel offered 100 hp, 10.5 s to 100 km/h and 4.7 l/100km.

4 generation (2006–2010)

The 4 generation Vauxhall Corsa (2006–2010) spans 10 modifications and the widest spread yet: 60 to 150 hp. The 1364 cc 1.4 AT with 90 hp (14.8 s, 6.8 l/100km) served as the mainstream automatic, while the 1598 cc 1.6 MT with 150 hp reached 100 km/h in 7.6 s at 7.9 l/100km — the quickest Corsa in the data. Diesels included the 1248 cc 1.3 MT with 75 hp (13.6 s) at 4.6 l/100km and the 1686 cc 1.7 MT with 125 hp (10.7 s) at 4.8 l/100km.

4 generation, restyling (2010–2014)

The 2010–2014 restyling covers 9 modifications from 65 to 130 hp with manual, automatic and automated manual gearboxes. Diesel versions stand out here: the 1248 cc 1.3 MT with 95 hp was the volume version, doing 12.7 s to 100 km/h and returning 3.7 l/100km, while the 1686 cc 1.7 MT with 130 hp managed 10.7 s at 4.6 l/100km.

5 generation (2014–2019)

The 5 generation (2014–2019) lists 13 modifications between 70 and 150 hp. The 1398 cc 1.4 AT with 90 hp (13.9 s, 5.9 l/100km) was the volume seller, and the 1364 cc 1.4 MT with 150 hp hit 100 km/h in 9.2 s while using 5.7 l/100km. The 1248 cc 1.3 diesel came as a 95 hp DSG at a remarkable 3.2 l/100km (13.5 s) or a 95 hp manual at 3.8 l/100km with a quicker 12.3 s sprint.

6 generation (2019–present)

The current 6 generation, on sale since 2019, keeps things tight with 5 modifications from 75 to 136 hp and manual or automatic gearboxes. The 1199 cc 1.2 AT with 100 hp does 10.8 s and 4.5 l/100km, the 1499 cc 1.5 MT diesel offers 102 hp, 10.2 s to 100 km/h and just 3.4 l/100km, and the electric AT version leads the range with 136 hp and 8.1 s to 100 km/h.

Which Vauxhall Corsa to buy

On the used market, the 5 generation (2014–2019) offers the newest pre-current cars with the widest choice — 13 modifications — while 4 generation cars (2006–2014) trade age for a broader 60–150 hp spread. Earlier generations date back to the 1990s, so condition varies far more than specification.

Which Vauxhall Corsa to avoid

The 1.4 AT of the 4 generation is dominated by the same-name 5 generation version: identical 90 hp, but 14.8 s versus 13.9 s to 100 km/h and 6.8 versus 5.9 l/100km. Within the restyled 3 generation, the 1.3 DSG diesel's 70 hp and 16.0 s sprint are clearly outpaced by the 1.7 MT diesel's 100 hp and 10.5 s at an almost identical 4.7 versus 4.4 l/100km.