VAUXHALL CORSA HATCHBACK 1.4 SXI 3DR [AC]

The Corsa has always been a worthy and practical small family hatch. Now it's desirable, too. Andy Enright explains why.

VAUXHALL CORSA HATCHBACK 1.4 SXI 3DR [AC]

In improved third generation guise, Vauxhall's Corsa supermini finally justifies its strong sales figures on genuine merit, good looks and slick design also matched in this version by more efficient engines and a sharper driving experience.

VAUXHALL CORSA HATCHBACK 1.4 SXI 3DR [AC]

Over the last few years, we've had to change our perceptions of exactly what a small little hatchback - a supermini - actually is. After all, the small urban runabout role models like this used to perform is now covered by smaller citycars, leaving today's supermini as a much more grown-up thing, safer, more spacious and able to cover longer distances. But as any teenager will tell you, being grown-up can also mean being boring. At its launch in 2007, this third generation Vauxhall Corsa wasn't alone in offering a larger-car feel but without the kind of spark and vitality that once made small cars like this so much fun.

And that wasn't something that Vauxhall could afford to leave alone in the face of competition from an arch-rival as dynamically-adept as Ford's Fiesta. Hence this improved version with its sharper responses, introduced at the same time as engine tweaks have made the Corsa line-up one of the most fuel-efficient and eco-conscious choices in its class. Is all of this enough to elevate this car above more recently introduced rivals? Let's find out.

VAUXHALL CORSA HATCHBACK 1.4 SXI 3DR [AC]

There's never been too much wrong with the way a Corsa responds: it just wasn't anything out of the ordinary. And with 'ordinary' being something that Vauxhall isn't too comfortable with these days, things had to change. With this improved third generation model, that seems to be happening. The enhancements themselves don't sound too huge - tweaked power steering for more driving 'feel', plus revisions to springs, dampers and anti-roll bars - but together, they add up to quite a lot. Not quite enough to make this as sharp as a Fiesta but very close while, at the same time, providing a more relaxed, family-friendly drive.

The improvements to the 'driving experience' are significant. The previously over-light electric power steering now decently communicates what the front wheels are doing. As for the spring and damper tweaks, the chassis feels slightly more supple than before, the ride remains on the firm side.

Under the bonnet, Vauxhall has refettled virtually all the engines on offer. But if funds - or the deal you're offered - permit, the pick of the petrol range has to be the 1.4-litre unit of our test car, with 100PS on tap. It's an impressively smooth and willing performer and very refined at cruising speeds, but also flexible enough to pull strongly from modest revs, to the benefit of economy and your nerves around town.

Diesel drivers get 75 and 90PS versions of Vauxhall's trusty 1.3 CDTi unit, but the best bet here is probably the green-fingered 95PS ecoFLEX model.

VAUXHALL CORSA HATCHBACK 1.4 SXI 3DR [AC]

The third generation Corsa has real visual impact. Though it shares its platform, suspension and steering with Fiat's Grande Punto, there's a very different look and feel, the front end featuring a deep Vauxhall V-grille with aggressive air intakes under the bumper and a pair of headlamps that smear back along the wings. Though both three and five-door bodystyles occupy pretty much the same footprint on the road, Vauxhall has tried to give them each their own separate appeal, though the three-door tested here does look a little sleeker with its rear wheelarch bulges and raked rear window.

Inside there's a solid Germanic quality to its build combined with slick design that catches the eye. There are classy touches like the translucent ambient lighting on the window switches and centre console buttons - though it's a pity you only get this (and more important features like height adjustment for the seat and reach adjustment for the steering wheel) on plusher versions.

In the back, there's plenty of room for two fully-grown adults, though in three-door form as tested the ambience can be a little claustrophobic. There's a reasonable 285-litres of bootspace with all the seats in place. If that isn't enough, then of course there's the usual option of the rear bench forward (it's split-folding unless you're in a really basic version), which in this case frees up 1100-litres of luggage space.

VAUXHALL CORSA HATCHBACK 1.4 SXI 3DR [AC]

History has taught us that UK car buyers quite like Vauxhall superminis and one reason why lies with their affordability. List figures suggest that you'll be paying somewhere in the £10,000 to £18,000 bracket for your Corsa, with a premium of just over £400 if you want five-doors rather than three and a premium of just over £1,000 for diesel over equivalent petrol power.

Under the bonnet of both three and five-door models, petrol people will mainly be choosing between a 65PS 1.0-litre, an 85PS 1.2 and a 100PS 1.4 - though there is still a frantic 192PS VXR model for hot hatch fans. Diesel drivers meanwhile who are agonising between 75 and 90PS versions of Vauxhall's familiar 1.3 CDTi unit should instead in my view be directed towards the greener and more powerful 95PS ecoFLEX variant. There's also a 1.7-litre CDTi 130PS diesel.

You'll need a reasonable level of spec for a reasonable level of equipment, but all models do come with a CD stereo, remote central locking and electric mirrors. Of course on plusher trim levels or on the options list, there's a whole rosta of 'big car-style' equipment, including headlamps that follow you round corners and a clever Enhanced Understeer Control system. One really neat option is a Flex-Fit integrated bike rack that slides out of the rear bumper. Safety-wise, there's a minimum of two airbags - and six on most models - though you've to pay extra for ESP stability control.

VAUXHALL CORSA HATCHBACK 1.4 SXI 3DR [AC]

Across the range, Corsas are over 13% more frugal than they used to be - and greener too, with most of the engines on offer emitting less than 125g/km of CO2. Indeed, Vauxhall reckons it sells more sub-125g/km cars than any other brand. The economy star is this car, the 95PS 1.3-litre CDTi ecoFLEX diesel model. It manages up to 76.3mpg on the combined cycle and puts out just 98g/km of CO2, plus it's much cheaper than a comparable Ford Fiesta ECOnetic: enough said.

If you'd prefer a petrol, you'll be pleased to find that both 1.0 and 1.2-litre variants are now in more affordable VED tax bands, the 1.0-litre emitting 117g/km of CO2. Even the petrol 1.4 model tested is capable of over the 50mpg, managing 51.4mpg on the combined cycle. And, like most of the other models in the range, it comes with an eco gearshift indicator built into the instrument cluster to prompt you when to change gear for the best economy returns. Residual values won't be amongst the strongest, but you can balance that against the sharp deal you'll probably get up-front. Insurance groupings are between 2 and 8 for mainstream models.

VAUXHALL CORSA HATCHBACK 1.4 SXI 3DR [AC]

It's clear that this Corsa's crucial for Vauxhall. Hence their decision to move it forward from middle-of-the-road mediocrity with this well-judged package of improvements. Cleaner, greener and better to drive, it now either matches or beats most more recently launched rivals.

And the things we liked about this car at its original launch are still in place: the sharp looks, the classy cabin, the big-car feel. Add to that the wide range available and the likely deals on offer and you've a supermini that more than ever, needs to remain high on any family's shopping list.