VAUXHALL CORSA-E, 1ST DRIVE EXCLUSIVE

EV Channels Review

The Vauxhall Corsa-e is presented as a "brilliantly unremarkable" electric car, designed for "normal people." The reviewer highlights its ease of driving, nippy performance, and competent, solid feel as significant positives, making it a better proposition than its combustion engine counterpart. The ride quality is praised as top-notch, and its compact size contributes to excellent maneuverability and a tight turning circle. A notable inclusion is the supply and fitting of a wall box charger. However, the reviewer expresses strong criticism regarding the human-machine interface, finding it difficult to access basic information like trip meters and energy usage. The most significant drawback is the price, which, even after government grants, exceeds £29,000. The reviewer questions this high cost, arguing that battery prices have fallen dramatically, suggesting the car could be built and sold for less, potentially even less than the petrol version. A "conspiracy theory" is proposed that the car is intentionally priced higher to curb sales and protect the market for combustion engine models. Despite these criticisms, the reviewer acknowledges the car's competence and its status as a well-executed electric vehicle, essentially a re-bodied Peugeot e-208, with the choice between the two largely coming down to aesthetic preference.