The Vauxhall Corsa vs Astra – which of these popular cars is your best option?
When you hear about the Vauxhall car brand, you will most likely think about the Vauxhall Corsa supermini or the Astra hatchback. Both cars are great options, but which one is most likely to be better than the other?
Vauxhall is one of the oldest car makers in the world. They definitely have several reliable models, but two stand out: The Vauxhall Astra and the Vauxhall Corsa. Let’s find out their features and specs.
Vauxhall Astra vs Vauxhall Corsa: Exterior Styling and Colours
Before we begin, you need to know that Vauxhall became a subsidiary of Stellantis in January 2021. How does this concern us? Apart from owning Vauxhall, Stellantis also owns many more car brands, including Peugeot, so you will find that these Vauxhall cars have much in common with Peugeot cars.
For example, the Corsa is essentially the same car as the Peugeot 208, and the Astra is the same as the Peugeot 308. However, they stand out with their crisp and sleek exterior looks. As you may have guessed, the Corsa is the smaller one, as you may have guessed since it’s a supermini.
The Corsa has a bold front grille flanked by sharp-looking headlights. Its clever styling makes it appear wider than it is. The car also has a sloping roofline and looks sporty.
The Astra, however, is bigger, has a slightly more angular, modern look, and has a front grille styling. Despite being a bigger car that targets families, the Astra has a more dynamic-looking design, even in its longer and more practical estate format.
Regarding paint options, the Corsa has Jade white as the standard. The Astra comes in Astric White as the standard. There are also more options costing around £600 or £700 extra:
Corsa
Astra
- Diamond Black
- Quartz Grey
- Crystal Silver
- Voltaic Blue
- Power Orange
- Hot red
- Electric Yellow
- Crimson Red
- Cobalt Blue
- Vulcan Grey
- Crystal Silver
- Carbon Black
Trim levels
As expected, the Corsa and Astra come in several trims and features. The Corsa comes in three trims: the Design, GS Line, and Ultimate. There’s also the Corsa-e which comes in the GS Line and Ultimate. There’s also the anniversary edition.
Here are the features associated with each Vauxhall Corsa trim:
Design Trim
- Advanced LED headlights
- A user-friendly seven-inch touchscreen (refer to the next section for further details)
- Classic analog dashboard dials
- Efficient air-conditioning system
- Rear seats that fold down independently for added versatility
- Safety features like lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking
- Convenient electric windows and mirrors
- Remote central locking for enhanced security
- A stylish leather-wrapped steering wheel
GS Line
- Rear-mounted parking sensors for added convenience
- Automated lighting and wiper system
- Climate control for personalized comfort
- Electronic handbrake for effortless parking
Ultimate
- Matrix lights are designed to illuminate the road while avoiding glare for other drivers
- A generous 10-inch infotainment screen
- Digital driver display replacing conventional dials for a modern touch
- Comfort-enhancing heated seats and steering wheel
- Sporty Alcantara-finished seats
- Convenient keyless entry and ignition
- Stylish two-tone alloy wheels
- Sleek body kit reminiscent of the GS Line aesthetic
The Astra shares trim-level names with the Corsa. Here are the features associated with each Vauxhall Astra trim:
Design Trim
- Advanced LED lighting system
- Convenient cruise control feature
- Automated lighting and wiper system
- Keyless ignition for hassle-free starting
- Luxurious leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Stylish 16-inch alloy wheels
- Enhanced parking assistance with front and rear sensors
- Expansive 10-inch infotainment screen
- Comprehensive 10-inch driver display
GS Line
- Sleek 17-inch alloy wheels
- Comprehensive 360-degree parking camera system
- Adaptive cruise control that adjusts to match the speed of the lead vehicle
- Convenient keyless entry system
- Dual-zone climate control for personalized comfort
- Comfortable heated sports seats
- Dynamic sporty bodykit
- Ambient lighting for an enhanced driving experience
Ultimate trim
- Stylish 18-inch alloy wheels
- Enhanced Intellilux headlights for improved visibility
- Convenient wireless phone charging capability
- Informative head-up display (refer here for further details)
- Expansive panoramic sunroof for a spacious feel
- Upgraded hi-fi system for superior audio quality
- Extra safety features
- Alcantara seats
If you are considering which trim to choose, we recommend the GS Line for the Astra and Corsa. This trim comes with features that would make driving better and life easier.
Interior and Infotainment
The Corsa and Astra are similar since Vauxhall used a similar style template across all of its cars. So, you will find similar digital instruments, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, gear selectors, and other features on both vehicles. However, there are a few differences.
The Corsa has a split-level dashboard with a touchscreen infotainment system at the top. There are also a few physical controls for volume and others and a climate control section beneath.
The Astra feels a bit more upmarket, with 10-inch screens across the range and full smartphone connectivity. There are also a couple of buttons beneath the Astra’s display, which is more convenient for many drivers.
Boot Space and Practicality
Boot space is not the strong point of both cars. The Astra has more space and is more practical than the Corsa, but is that enough to stand out among other models?
The Corsa has a boot space of around 309 litres, and the electric model has an even smaller boot space of 267 litres. This is small compared to other models. The Astra is above average with a 422-liter boot, but similar to the Corsa, the plug-in hybrid and electric versions come with a smaller boot space of 352 litres.
That said, let’s look at each car’s dimensions.
The Astra comes out as the more spacious one and is, therefore, more practical.
Handling and Ride Comfort
The Vauxhall Corsa is renowned for its nimble handling and comfortable ride quality. Its compact size and responsive steering make it well-suited for easily navigating urban streets. The suspension system balances comfort and agility, absorbing bumps and imperfections on the road while offering a composed and stable ride.
The Vauxhall Astra is designed to offer a smooth and refined ride, coupled with agile handling characteristics. Its chassis is tuned to balance comfort and sportiness, making it versatile for everyday commuting and spirited driving. The Astra’s suspension setup effectively dampens road imperfections, ensuring passengers have a comfortable journey even on longer trips.
Engines and Performance
Vauxhall did an excellent job choosing powertrains for both models. They have a good number of engines and electrified choices.
You can get the Corsa with these three engines:
- A 1.2-litre engine with 75hp. It has a fuel economy of 48 to 53mpg and an acceleration time of 12.4 seconds from 0 to 60mph. It has a five-speed manual gearbox and is slow compared to the others.
- A 1.2-litre engine with 100hp. It has the same fuel economy as the first and takes 9.3 seconds from 0-60mph. This engine has a six-speed manual or an eight-speed auto and is faster than the 75hp one.
- A 1.2 liter with 130hp. It returns 47-50mpg and takes 8.2 seconds from 0-60mph. It has an eight-speed automotive gearbox.
The electric Corsa has a range of 222 miles on a single charge, and it takes 7.6 seconds to go from 0 to 60mph.
Overall, the 100hp engine is the top petrol engine to consider for the Corsa. Now let’s look at the Astra.
You can get the Astra with these three engines:
- A 1.2-litre petrol engine with 110hp. It has a fuel economy of 52.3mpg and an acceleration time of 10.5 seconds from 0-60mph. It comes with a six-speed manual gearbox.
- A 1.2-litre petrol engine with 130hp. It has a fuel economy of 49.6mpg and an acceleration time of 9.7 seconds from 0-60mph. It has the standard six-speed manual gearbox but can come with an eight-speed auto.
- It has a 1.5-litre diesel engine with 130hp, a fuel economy of 58.9mpg, and an acceleration time of 10.6 seconds from 0 to 60mph. It also has an eight-speed auto gearbox.
We also have the Astra plug-in hybrid with a 1.6-litre petrol engine and an electric motor. With a full charge, it can travel up to 42 miles using the electric mode and return up to 256mpg. It accelerates from 0 to 60mph in 7.7 seconds and has an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Safety and Reliability
Vauxhall is well known for building reliable vehicles; these two are no exception. Both the Corsa and the Astra received a commendable four-star rating out of five in Euro NCAP crash tests. They demonstrated solid performance in adult and child occupant safety, while their ratings were slightly lower but still respectable in pedestrian impact and safety assist technology categories.
If you are buying a brand-new car, you can expect these cars to come with a three-year, 60,000-mile manufacturer warranty.
Vauxhall Corsa running costs vs Vauxhall Astra running costs
Price
- Corsa is generally cheaper. The base model starts around £18,015, with mid-range trims reaching £20,165.
- Astra: The base model costs around £25,240, while mid-range trims can cost up to £28,250. It starts slightly higher than Corsa.
Running Costs
- Fuel: Corsa tends to be more fuel-efficient, meaning lower fuel costs per mile.
- Insurance: Corsa typically falls into lower insurance groups than Astra, leading to cheaper premiums.
- Tax: Astra and Corsa (except for high-spec Astra) have a standard first-year tax rate and then a flat £165 annual rate thereafter.
READ ALSO: Fuel Cost Calculator: Guide to Calculate Fuel Cost and Save Money
Corsa is generally cheaper to buy and run, making it a good choice for budget-conscious drivers. Depending on the engine choice, Astra’s slightly higher price can be offset by potentially lower fuel costs.
Astra vs Corsa: Which One Should You Get?
The decision between the Vauxhall Astra and Corsa depends on your specific requirements and preferences. The Corsa may be better if you prioritize affordability and urban agility.
However, the Astra could be ideal if you need more space and versatility for family use. Consider your priorities carefully to determine which model aligns best with your lifestyle and driving needs.
If you are buying a used Vauxhall, a car history report can help you make the best choices and choose the most reliable vehicle. A reg check looks for damages, registration information, ownership history, and more. Fill out the form on this page to get a check now!
