Read Caroline’s Opel Corsa Hybrid review for everything you need to know about buying Opel’s small hatchback in Ireland.
When the current generation of the Opel Corsa launched in Ireland in 2020, it was a big step up from the model it replaced. Sharing engines and underpinnings with the Peugeot 208, it was launched at the start of a renaissance for the German car brand and was followed by new generations of the popular Mokka and Astra.
Opel’s resurgence continues this month with the arrival of the new Grandland, which will be followed in the new year by the Frontera, now a small SUV that will be offered as both mild hybrid and fully electric.
The Corsa is Opel’s bestseller in Ireland at the moment, so it’s still a very important car for the brand. Four years on from its launch, it’s time for a refresh and the introduction of the new Corsa Hybrid.
Let’s take a closer look.
Design
Smart and compact, the Corsa is quite an adorable little thing. Especially finished in a bright colour like Hot Red. The Corsa has had a significant facelift for 2024 that brings it in line with other models in the Opel range like the Mokka, Astra and Grandland. It now features the brand’s ‘Vizor’ face – the black panel stretching between the lights with the Opel blitz logo in the centre. It gives the Corsa a stronger presence than before.
It’s business as usual elsewhere. The GS bestows a little more personality on the Corsa. This top of the range model gets a black contrast roof, gloss black trim in the front bumper, 17-inch black alloy wheels and blacked out Opel blitz logo.
The standard wheel size on the entry level SC and Elegance model is 16-inch. LED headlights come as standard.
Opel Corsa Interior
The Corsa’s interior is simple and functional. Every Corsa now has a 10-inch touchscreen as standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GS model also gets a 7-inch digital driver display. The infotainment system is easy to use, while Opel has held on to traditional dials and buttons for the heating and ventilation.
There’s a small switch on the centre console to flip between forward and reverse in the new Corsa Hybrid and a button for the electronic parking brake release.
All versions come with fabric seats, though the GS gets a sportier style. Manual air conditioning and cruise control are standard across the range. The GS model adds niceties like heated front seats and a rear view camera.
The Corsa is on the smaller side of the supermini class. In the back you will fit adults from time to time, but legroom will be tight. The boot is also on the small side at 309 litres – but a bit bigger than full hybrid rivals and just enough space for a small suitcase and a few bags.
Driving the Corsa Hybrid
The big news is that the Corsa is now available for the first time as a hybrid with 48-volt technology. It uses a lithium-ion battery that can charge automatically and turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine.
It also offers more power than the standard petrol Corsa (100hp vs 75hp) and feels livelier and more robust on the road, going seamlessly from town to motorway driving. The engine is coupled to a new electrified six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission and a 28hp electric motor.
In town and city driving at low speeds, it’s possible to drive up to 50% of the time purely electrically. So in stop/start driving in traffic for instance, the Corsa can power itself from its electric motor without calling on the engine.
The system is not completely silent and whirrs and purrs, but it’s a clever system all the same. During deceleration, the petrol engine stops and the e‑motor acts as a generator to recharge the hybrid system’s 48V battery.
In mixed driving, including motorway runs, my average consumption was 5.0 litres per 100 kilometres, so it can certainly take on hybrid rivals like the Toyota Yaris Hybrid, MG3 and Renault Clio Hybrid for efficiency, particularly in town driving. Motor tax is €190 per year.
Otherwise, the Corsa is a lively and athletic drive. The steering has enough weight in it to feel solid on the motorway and through bends. There are also Eco, Normal and Sport driving modes to choose from.
It feels less comfortable out on the motorway and there’s no getting away from the road and wind noise, but it does well in town and on rural roads.
Opel Corsa Pricing
The Corsa Hybrid is available in Ireland from €29,695 in SC trim, from €30,795 for the Elegance and from €31,695 for the GS. For reference, the petrol manual range starts from €25,095.
Verdict
The new Opel Corsa Hybrid gives the Corsa a little more pep in its step when it comes to power, the handiness of an automatic particularly in stop/start town and city driving, while also being an efficient choice. It does come at a premium however over the standard petrol Corsa for what is still a small car.
On the road, it’s nifty to drive and clever too with its ability to run from its electric motor in small stints. In this way it’s well suited to town driving. That’s where its dinky dimensions do shine. So if you’re looking for a small hybrid car, it’s definitely worth a look.
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
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