There are three petrol engines and three diesels, but the 1.0 and 1.2 petrols are best avoided if you do a lot of motorway miles because the Corsa is no lightweight. The 1.3 diesels, especially the 89bhp version, suit the car well but are quite expensive, so the 1.4 petrol is our pick.

The chassis is shared with the Fiat Grande Punto, but it has been retuned by Vauxhall. There are two settings: a standard arrangement that makes the car good to drive but gives a nice ride into the bargain, and a firmer set-up for the SXi (optional with Design trim) that's a bit too extreme for UK roads. Either way the steering is sharp, but you do have to make a lot of adjustments on the motorway.

By and large, the Corsa’s an extremely refined car. The 1.7 diesel rumbles more than we'd like but most of the others are pretty quiet, even when working hard, and there's little road noise in the cabin. The five-door body stirs up more wind noise then three-door along the flanks, but neither is bad.

Aggressive pricing and low insurance rates help make the Corsa an attractive buy. Fuel economy of petrol models is good, but at the expense of driveability. Resale values are pretty poor, so make sure you get a good discount on the list price.

First impressions count a lot, so Vauxhall has made big efforts to ensure the Corsa's fixtures and fittings look and feel right. There's a nice choice of colour and trim options if you want to get away from dreary old black or grey, too. All the engines are proven, while the mechanical layout is relatively simple.

The Corsa has loads of stuff to help you avoid an accident, warn following drivers if one's about to happen, and protect you when the crunch comes. There's a minimum of two airbags and six on most models. Anti-skid control is an option on all versions, but is affordable priced.

The Corsa has a big-car feel, with clear controls and a fine driving position. There's one proviso here, though, you'll need Club, SXi or Design trim to get driver's seat-height adjustment and two-way steering column movement. Thick windscreen pillars restrict forward visibility.

Three- and five-door cars are the same size, but the three-door's only a four-seater because its sides taper towards the back. The five-door's big enough for a family, though, with good head and legroom. The luggage area's small, but from Club trim upwards you get split-folding rear seats and a boot floor that can be lowered.

Standard kit is reasonable, but no more than that, with a CD player, remote central locking and electrically adjustable door mirrors fitted across the range. Mid-range Club trim represents the best balance between price and equipment, offering more driver’s seat and steering wheel adjustment, an easier-to-expand boot and luxuries like an MP3-compatible stereo.