Vauxhall Corsa

From zero to hero in 12 months – that’s the brilliant new Vauxhall Corsa. Although its predecessor was a consistent winner in the supermini sales charts – regularly beating Ford’s Fiesta to the top spot – in terms of design and dynamics, the Corsa was way off the pace.

This time around, Vauxhall has got it right. It’s bigger, bolder and smarter looking than before, with dramatic details such as the swept-back headlamps and muscular shoulder line that gives the rear end a distinctive feel. As with its larger stablemate, the Astra, three and five-door versions are different from the A-pillar back, with the former boasting an almost coupé-like profile and the latter featuring a bulkier back end to maximise boot space.

Then there’s the interior, which is arguably an even bigger leap forward. From the glowing ventilation controls to the glossy piano-black centre console surround, everything about the cabin screams quality. And it’s not only the decoration that impresses. The higher roofline and bigger exterior dimensions mean the new Corsa is considerably roomier inside. The driving position is first class, while even those in the back get plenty of space.

And the bad news for rivals is that the Corsa range is getting better all the time. Although it was launched with a breathtaking array of trim and engine options, the arrival of the performance VXR version earlier this year and the recent launch of a warm SRi variant are certain to spell bad news for rivals.