Opel Corsa-e: New Zealand's cheapest Euro electric car?

The brand new Opel Corsa-e can go 383 kilometres per charge, it's zippy, compact and stylish, but it's also the most affordable European electric vehicle in New Zealand at just $51,365 after the Clean Car Rebate.
But what's it like in New Zealand conditions? Does the performance match the looks? And perhaps most importantly, how many potatoes can it hold? Well, be sure to watch this full review to find all that out, plus a lot more.
Thinking of going electric for the savings, but don't know where to start? Now that petrol's permanently expensive, check out our EV Buyer's Guide to find an electric vehicle in your price range, with your desired range: buyersguide.ecotricity.nz/
And if you're keen on minimising your footprint on our planet's fragile ecosystem, why not switch to using 100% renewable electricity? With Ecotricity you can do that right now.
Plus, you might be surprised to see how much money you'll save, being New Zealand's only carbonzero Certified electricity provider with very competitive rates. Check out www.ecotricity.co.nz to join the future!
Contents:
0:00 - Price and range
0:52 - Features
2:16 - City driving
4:27 - Driving modes
5:20 - Regen braking
6:45 - Family specs
7:38 - Road trip
9:08 - Adaptive cruise
10:10 - Lane keeping assist
12:02 - Headlights & features
13:41 - Cabin noise
14:59 - Charging speed
16:13 - Car warranty
16:53 - Charging cost
18:04 - 0-100 time
18:47 - Suspension & handling
20:06 - Pros and cons

[@theunknownunknowns5168]

Congrats for winning the 20th Sustainable Business Awards!

[@phillq]

“Seated Heats”! 😂

[@decimal1815]

Thank you for actually bothering to test the sensor functions on the car! So many reviews just talk about handling and design.. basically reading out the press release. I'd also like to know how it parks - OK, it's a small car so should be great, but would be nice to know how the cameras and sensors make getting into tight corners easier. Parking spaces in the UK are often really tight..

[@steffenjachnow8176]

The speed sign recognition uses cameras. I don't have a built-in navigation system in my Corsa-e (and don't really miss it because of Android Auto) but speed sign recognition is a feature you get even with the basic trim.

[@dingbatt]

Another useful review Gavin. It is definitely a city car where outright power really doesn’t matter. EVs with a spare tire or real towing capability are scarce as hen’s teeth. If the car is not in “B” mode, do you get any regeneration from using the brake pedal? Or is that energy all just lost?

[@jacobheinz8236]

Nice! Good to see an Euro EV!

[@CarsofGlasgow]

so true

[@CarsofGlasgow]

great review, new to your channel. I recently had the chance to review the Corsa-E too!

[@josephkarl2061]

4:03 Damn you called me out 🤣

[@haydennoyer2983]

You haven’t seen Matrix Headlight technology before? My old 2014 BMW had it, nothing new but pretty amazing tech. My Model 3 and Model Y have it too, but it’s not enabled yet…

[@AegisHyperon]

EV's need new prices to drop, hope manufacturers keep competing in this space!

[@decimal1815]

Corsa-e in the UK is a real bargain once you look at cars that are 1 year old or more..

[@cwverburg]

Hi can you tell us if your noise measurement is A or C rated, so I can compare my own car with your test vehicles. Thanks Chris

[@decimal1815]

Yes, presumably dB(A) but would be nice to know

[@dzhiurgis]

Does speed detection work with cruise control?

[@steffenjachnow8176]

I can not speak for the ACC (if it adapts automatically), but with the manual version, you have a button to adopt the detected speed.

[@Djeseret]

2023 the effect increases to 115 kw and the range to 410 km and it comes in the GSe trim with new steering and self-adjusting shock absorbers.

[@georgewalker7061]

we will see. the current 50 kWh battery with 45 kWh usable is lucky to give 4 miles to a kWh, so 180 miles. 3.5 miles a kWh more Real World. so even if 115 kW with a 50 kWh usable battery and the most rubbish ECO ditch finder tyres the 410 km is a wish and a dream. REAL WORLD. do not believe Stallantis.

[@Djeseret]

@@georgewalker7061 In Norway, the latest updated version with longer range that came last year, has been measured at 320 miles as the best result. And since all the technology is new in the new, you can't base anything on the old from 2019. And the battery power is 46, not 45 kWh.

[@georgewalker7061]

@@Djeseret 4 miles per kWh and 46 usable is still rubbish. Are you getting 5 miles per kWh in anything other than perfect weather conditions?

[@Djeseret]

@@georgewalker7061 6,9 not 4, and of course is that under perfect conditions.

[@georgewalker7061]

@@Djeseret is this you that did that or someone else. Interest where this is published as total tosh.

[@georgewalker7061]

ECO mode, 80 ps, Normal is 110 ps. Sport is 136ps. Sport reduces steering assistance, Normal has enough. ECO and it is a slug.

[@ashiga8023]

how much usd does a tesla model y cost in nz?

[@JimWattsHereNow]

78k NZD on Tesals NZ website, 48k USD

[@TheMntnG]

CorsA, not corsE 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@ashiga8023]

@@JimWattsHereNow thanks jim (think i would much rather spend that much more and get a large suv with full autonomy hardware for future software install)

[@georgewalker7061]

300 km, / 180 miles. 45 kWh usable battery, you never got 300 km range from 80 % , 36 kWh in the battery. & getting 4 miles per kWh is 144 miles. to get 180 miles from 36 kWh you need to get 5 miles per kWh.

[@elyoporto6865]

Apple what now??

[@dingbatt]

Standard for Gav’s reviews. It’s always Android CarPlay and Apple Auto…

[@elyoporto6865]

@@dingbatt 😅 This is my new favorite channel!