Vauxhall Corsa VXR First Drive

When you think of a supermini hot hatch, your first thought is to turn to the Ford Fiesta ST, a car that's been bossing this segment since 2013. The new one won't be here until next year though, so what about some alternatives? Well I had a quick blast in the latest Vauxhall VXR to see if it was any good.
On paper it looks pretty tasty. Its 1.6 litre turbocharged petrol engine is able to deliver 202bhp with 280NM of torque. That power is mated to the front wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox, and is able to prepel this pocket rocket to 62mpg in 6.5 seconds, with a top speed of 143mph.
This model also has the optional VXR Performance Pack, which will cost £2,410 and adds bigger Brembo brakes at the front, Koni dampers, Drexler limited slip diff and 18" alloys that are wrapped in stick Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres.
So on paper it looks promising, but what's it like on the tarmac?
Full written article can be found here: carobsession.co...
Site: carobsession.co.uk
Twitter: / carobsessionuk
Instagram: / carobsessionuk
Facebook: / carobsessionuk
Music Credit:
Ryan Little - Thank You For Playing God Spee
Ryan Little - Power Trip

[@johnny6476]

I love the look of the corsa, Looks a hell of a lot nicer than the fiesta St.

[@Bangadarts180]

Absolutely spot on. Owned both and hated the ST

[@mikewestwood567]

It doesn’t need standard navigation as it has CarPlay so you can use that for Navigation. In-car Nav tends to be rubbish anyway.

[@CarObsession]

Very true Mike, especially if you use Waze. However, I could not have my phone connected as I was using it to record audio. When I did attach the phone to the car, it stopped recording, which was rather annoying as I had to re-shot certain bits 😩Thanks for watching.

[@nathanreid2974]

are there many cares with builte in sat-nav that you can remove if you want to update them, i know some jags are not the case but is this corsa

[@oddities-whatnot]

I like the sound from the exhausts. Might be tempted with a used one of these.

[@CarObsession]

Hi Simon, thanks for watching, and thanks for commenting 👍🏽

[@oddities-whatnot]

Car Obsession Im obsessed with cars, cant help it :)

[@techtitanuk5609]

Insurance company: your not having this

[@blackflagpirate3444]

This is a good car for the young driver.Think all FW cars struggle to put the power down.I had a GTC VXR before my Audi TTs and used to get wheel spin quite a bit.Part and parcel of having a FW drive chain performance car really.Think its over priced when you can buy a car that's a few years older with better performance for half the price.Good video mate 😉🍺

[@CarObsession]

Cheers pal! Thanks for watching,

[@andrewwright.]

jacks me off that they did a vxr in this shape but the astra k missed out. 1.6t is ok, is as powerful as the Corsa , not as quick due to weight and handling is pants when pushed but it's ok...drinks fuel like no tomorrow 🙁

[@woodsy555]

Nice car nearly got one myself.

[@munsonvxr8834]

Good review, if you're planning to keep the car standard (or with optional extras as you mentioned). However, whilst this review might satisfy the masses, you don't mention that this car is highly tunable also (aftermarket). Get it forged (which I would do straight away tbh) and mapped/upgraded to at least Stage 2 and this car becomes an absolute animal.

[@CarObsession]

Hello Munson VXR, thanks for watching. The reason I didn't mention tuning is because that is an area I don't know a great deal about, so I'd rather stick to what I know, rather than advising people on a topic I know little about.

[@munsonvxr8834]

Most people who would consider it already know anyway haha. My Corsa D is Stage 4, totally different to the standard specification.

[@CarObsession]

True, but either way, if people were to ask questions based on what I had mentioned about tuning, I wouldn't have been able to answer them, so I'd rather stick to what I know.

[@munsonvxr8834]

Yeah that's fair enough :)

[@andybrownster]

Munson VXR i

[@doc.voltold4232]

I have the OPC (Opel) one. 2000km so far and i fucking love it. The performance pack suspension are really stiff and the seats are NOT as comfortable as they feel when you jump on them. after an hour of drive your passengers will HATE you for you car choice XD. Mind that if you buy the Opel (everywhere but GB) those asshats have put black spark plug covers without any mark. I know lil thing but i still loved the blue cover of the D. if you find one from the D don't worry, it will fit the E. For the engine they solved the problem of the D, aka piston 4 blowing up. They put in bigger injectors from factory and in the 2017/2018 version forged (still low quality) pistons. It is a very nice hatch, and i am really happy for it. I spent 23.000 euros for mine with performance pack, carbon back, bigger spoiler and black roof. Some may argue that it is pricey, but IMHO all new cars are overpriced. I mean for this price you can't even get a fiat 500 abarth that has 40 horses less than the Corsa... If you are young (your back will hurt you on this shit) have a bit of cash, trackday is life and you want a new and not an used car i would go for it.

[@CarObsession]

Hello Doc. Volt, sorry for the late reply, my notifications for comments appears to be broken! Thank you for watching, glad you are enjoying the car!

[@justinbartley5245]

Owned plenty performance cars including a 911 & couple m3's amongst them,used my wifes corsa vxr here & there & it puts a smile on my face maybe even more than them,so don't understand the negative nelly review,but i'm pro choice so each to their own i suppose pal💯

[@CarObsession]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion - I've driven quite a few hot hatches and I was simply disappointed with this. Thanks for watching.

[@mirola73]

If you race that thing lots of parts will go pretty soon. It's great having tons of power, but reasonably useless in 70mph crowded UK.

[@thetyrerjones]

Great review..

[@CarObsession]

Thank you very much, thanks for watching!

[@694069406940]

don't like the front end if this one looks a bit shit the preface lift one looks much sportier

[@Zooumberg]

I reckon about the looks that it is looking more and more like a Punto.

[@CarObsession]

Hopefully it's safer than a Punto! 😂Thanks for watching.

[@nathanreid2974]

Can you use different brand tires if you desired

[@CarObsession]

Yeah, I don't see why not. Thanks for watching - Merry Christmas!

[@Jetlife33]

Is this comparable to the Hyundai I30?

[@CarObsession]

Hi Mark, thanks for watching. No, this wouldn't be comparable to an i30 as the i30 is a bigger car. Therefore, that'd be comparable to an Astra or a Focus.

[@Jetlife33]

@@CarObsession gotcha. Thanks for the reply

[@troxigg]

“It’s not what I would buy” opinionated review and not really subjective. The only review who said the handling is lack of a better word woolly. And rear seating is fine but as a person who is 6”2” saying it’s cramped is biased. But I digress, I watched the video - fair enough. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@CarObsession]

Fair enough pal, sorry you didn't agree with my thoughts. Thanks for watching.

[@vcsxivcsxi3109]

Dose this have the same m32 gearbox as the d vxr

[@CarObsession]

Hi there, thanks for watching. I'm not sure to be honest, I would need to look in to it.

[@garyhayden1515]

yes it does

[@Ambienfinity]

Nice review, but £24k for a Corsa, of any stripe? No way.

[@CarObsession]

Hello Nodge X, thanks for watching. Yes, I completely agree with you, but don't forget that's with options.

[@MM-ew3hu]

I leased the previous model but this time round will buy used with under 10k miles…plenty to choose from under £14k

[@troxigg]

This comment hasn’t aged well 😂

[@villarule06]

Torque steer from a 1.6t with an LSD? Only Vauxhall!

[@CarObsession]

Yes, I think Vauxhall has thought that by making it as extreme as possible, it will be the most focused hot hatch, when it fact this approach backfires...

[@694069406940]

i don't like the front of it old one better looking

[@Bangadarts180]

Fiesta St interior is absolutely awful compared to the vxr I’ve owned both and much prefer the vxr

[@CarObsession]

Which generation ST are you talking about? Having said that, I wouldn't say the VXR is significantly better but that's my opinion of course. Thanks for watching.

[@Bangadarts180]

@@CarObsessionI had a 2015 plate st-2 and absolutely hated it the interior in the Corsa is twice as nice as the st the rattles from the ford were horrendous and in the higher rev range the corse blows it away and in my opinion sounds much better ands is more comfortable to drive. Again opinions

[@truedawglbg2074]

Me to ive owned both fiesta st and vxr the vxr for me is better all round mine was st 2 15 reg

[@Whiponized]

I have a question bro...

[@CarObsession]

Hi there, thanks for watching - what is the question?

[@Whiponized]

Car Obsession this channel is awesome!

[@caryssgaming5145]

6ft 2 and ur seating position is like a 80yr old woman 🤣

[@CarObsession]

Well, it's what's comfortable for me - horses for courses and all that... Thanks for watching.

[@scottwilson502]

Yo you a dunstable boy ?

[@CarObsession]

Scott Wilson Nope, South London pal

[@scottwilson502]

Just see you were driving through my town . If your ever in the area drop us a line always up fora cruise

[@CarObsession]

Vauxhall is based in Luton, that's why I was in the area 👍

[@scottwilson502]

Well the invitation is open

[@CarObsession]

Ok Scott, many thanks! Thanks for watching.