Compact Contenders: Comparing the Vauxhall Corsa and Astra

The Vauxhall Corsa and the Vauxhall Astra are two of the most popular small family cars on British roads. As models from the same manufacturer, Vauxhall, they share some similarities but also have key differences that buyers should consider. This article will compare and contrast these two compact cars across several categories to help you decide which is best for your needs.

Driving Dynamics & Performance

The Corsa is the smaller of the two cars, a supermini model aimed at city driving. As such, Vauxhall has tuned the steering for lightness and precision rather than sportiness, making the Corsa easy for manoeuvrability. With a tighter turning circle and smaller dimensions all round, the Corsa zips through traffic nicely but lacks composure on faster roads. The ride quality errs more towards firm than plush.

By contrast, the Astra is a classic small family hatchback designed for more well-rounded driving. The steering has more weight and bite to it while the suspension is tuned for a better balance of comfort and control. The Astra enjoys handling twisty sections while still delivering decent ride compliance. It's ultimately the more dynamic and satisfying car to drive out of these two Vauxhalls.

In terms of engines, the base Corsa comes with a naturally aspirated 1.2-litre petrol three-cylinder with 75 horsepower. Higher in the range, turbocharged petrol options include a 100 horsepower 1.2 and 128 horsepower 1.4-litre units. Diesel options consist of a 99 horsepower 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder.

The Astra kicks off with a 108 horsepower 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol then offers larger turbo petrol engines going up to a 148 horsepower 1.4-litre. There’s also a choice of diesel power spanning 99 to 121 horsepower from the 1.5 and 2.0-litre turbodiesel motors. 

Efficiency

It's a close-run race between the Corsa and Astra for fuel efficiency. The newer Corsa nudges things in the efficiency stakes, with its turbo three-cylinder petrol engines providing a particularly good combination of power and willingness. Expect 40-55mpg, depending on the specific engine.

But it's not far behind at all; Astra buyers can anticipate very reasonable running costs too. Even the bigger petrol engines average 40-50mpg in real-world use, rates perfectly satisfactory for a family car of its size. Opt for an Astra diesel and you may see upwards of 65mpg given gentle use.

So neither models will break the bank when it comes time to fill up but the supermini-sized Corsa offers that little bit extra frugality if maximum miles-per-gallon matter most. 

Interior Space & Practicality

The Corsa is among the more spacious options in the small car class. Four adults can fit comfortably enough and clutter is kept manageable. But headroom is limited in the rear and the 285 litres max boot capacity trails the best superminis. Kids will fit fine; gangly teens less so.

Thanks to its bigger external footprint, the Astra handily outpoints the Corsa for interior space. There’s a palpably airier feel to the interior and = more leg and headroom for rear passengers. The boot measures 370 litres and usefully expands to 1,210 litres with the 60/40 split rear bench folded away.

The Astra certainly makes better use of its size advantage, giving versatility for family or fitting in bulkier items. If an abundance of practicality tops your preferences, the Astra wins over the town-sized Corsa. 

Comfort & Convenience

Neither models shows great innovation with interior features yet they both deliver well on the comfort and convenience at their respective price points. Higher models in the range gain some welcome equipment like heated front seats, automatic headlights and dual-zone climate control. Ride quality tends more to the firm side but it's not uncomfortable across average road surfaces.

The Astra interior reflects the car’s positioning as a proper family hatchback. There’s decent standard kit from the entry-level trim upwards, with all models bar the first getting a 7-inch colour touchscreen with smartphone integration. Step up to the mid-range GS Line or top Ultimate models and you’ll get part-leather seats, heated windscreen and steering wheel, adaptive cruise control and driver assistance technologies. 

Running Costs & Value For Money

Here's where the Corsa claws back some ground over the larger Astra. Purchase prices start from £17,300 for the base-model Corsa SE Edition trim; the cheapest Astra will set you back upwards of £20,000. Go for mid-range specifications like the Corsa’s SRi Nav Premium or Astra’s Elite Nav models and you’re looking at list figures of £19,580 and £23,275 respectively. The Corsa pulls ahead on insurance group ratings too.

What that means for private buyers is lower initial outlay and yearly insurance costs from the Corsa. Residual values are strong too; after typical three-year terms, the Corsa should retain several more percentage points compared to the equivalent Astra.

If absolute bottom-line affordability is your top area of consideration, the Corsa has the edge. But the bigger Astra still represents cost-efficient ownership and may pay dividends in improved comfort and practicality. 

Safety

The Corsa earned an impressive 5-star rating in Euro NCAP crash tests. All models come equipped with six airbags, lane departure warning, speed limit recognition and automatic emergency city braking as standard. Upgrading to higher grade SRi, Elite or Ultimate variants adds extras like blind spot alert, rear parking sensors and camera, plus adaptive cruise control.

Like its smaller showroom stablemate, the Astra also achieved a maximum 5 stars in its latest Euro NCAP assessment. Six airbags, traffic sign recognition and forward collision alert all come as standard. Move up through the range to gain access to sophisticated safety options like adaptive LED matrix headlights, intelligent cruise control, lane change assist and lane positioning assist.

In terms of active and passive safety credentials, both Corsa and Astra score top marks. Ultimately, they are two equally secure propositions for protecting you and your passengers.

Verdict

If your mobility needs are mainly urban and suburban, the Corsa’s compact dimensions, low running costs and generous equipment tally makes a lot of sense. Yet as a versatile all-rounder with space for growing families, the Astra remains hugely appealing too. Ultimately, the Astra is the more complete package, but the Corsa’s affordability and city-friendly sizing shouldn’t be underestimated either.