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F
ashion can be a fickle thing. Just a few months ago Vauxhalls Corsa was the supermodel of cars, on all the billboards - it's curvy, well-proportioned looks and trusty GM heritage made it the best buy of the supermini class.
But the passage of time has not been kind to Luton's little gem, the competition has caught up. And overtaken.
Suddenly, looking good just isn't enough. Succesfull superminis now need to have a much broader range of tallents and buyers expect their cars to ride as smoothly, handle as well and be as refined as their big brother models. |
Vauxhall is only too aware of how far the supermini class has developed in the past two years, and is now keen for the little Corsa to recapture all of its former glory.
So it has treated its little baby Corsa to a makeover, noticable changes include the introduction of a new engine - a three cylinder 1.0-litre ECOTEC unit, and new suspension. So Vauxhall now hope it will be enough to topple the Ford Fiesta from the top of the sales chart.
Of course, Ford isn't the only manufacturer to have a little bit of supercar muscle in the Corsa's teritory, also performing strongly in the supermini pack are the Citroen Saxo, Volkswagen Polo, and the Nissan Micra. |
 
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In fourth, the Nissan Micra impressed us. Great car to drive and wacky to look at, it loses out though for not having a quality build feel.
The chic Saxo also has all the right credentials to be a supermini, but ultimately lacks refinement.
No small car can match the Fiesta's ride and handling, while the interior is a lesson to all but the very few. Our main reservation on the Fiesta was that it was too expensive, when compared with the other cars.
Which leaves the VW Polo, which offers everything that a good supermini should-space, superb build quality and, above all refinement and an easy drive.