2008 Vauxhall Corsa Design review from UK and Ireland

Have owned the car for approximately 2 weeks, so probably too early for anything to come up.

With a recent spell of warm sun, I did have chance to turn on the air conditioning and found it is nowhere as chilled as I would have expected. Seems to be slightly cool, so maybe it just needs re gassing... but after a year?

Not sure if I need to replace the wiper blades, they seem OK, but on the back stroke they splash water back on the screen from the washer jets. Having just found out the cost of them, maybe I will hang on!

I am very impressed with the new Corsa, especially coming from a Vectra SRi Diesel and doing around 450 miles a week, I was nervous as to whether it would be comfortable enough.

Cabin feels high quality, very refined and comfortable. Initially I found the seat bolsters were a bit hard on my legs, but already after owning the car for a couple of weeks, I am getting used to them and maybe they are softening up.

The Design model has very nice seats, the piano black console looks very upmarket and avoids the reflection issues from the windscreen that many Corsa owners complain of.

The 1.2 engine is exceptionally refined and feels a lot bigger, well at least until you get to an incline when you do feel the need to drop a few cogs.

Lots of nice toys though, such as the rain sensor wipers, auto dipping interior mirror, automatic headlights, welcome lighting and excellent door pocket storage. Glove box though is very small.

I do mostly motorway commuting each day, which accounts for approx 90 miles a day, so I think it's fair to say this is an exceptionally comfortable car for its class. I tend to cruise no more than 60mph on the motorways, for which the 1.2 sits at around 2500 rpm and the ride is very refined, certainly not that different from my Vectra.

Pedals feel good too, not too light that you can't feel them under your feet, the brakes are nice and progressive and the gear box smooth. I do find that you need to be very slow on releasing the clutch though in 1st gear, as the car tends to lurch on the biting point.

Audio system is very good for this class of car, great mid range and top end, and sufficient bass. The design features 7 speakers and a very nice CD/MP3/RDS setup. There is also a line in socket to connect an MP3 player, with the cup holders providing sufficient hold for an iPod, iPhone or similar.

You can program a number of settings for each key when parked by pulling back the two stalk switches simultaneously - this includes settings for a max speed alarm, auto door locking when the car begins to move, welcome lighting when unlocking the car, even down to setting the volume of the turn signal click!

I am very impressed at how economical this car has proven so far. My Vectra 2.2 SRi diesel would manage 600 miles from a 60 litre tank, which was very impressive on my commute. I am getting well in excess of 450 miles from the 45 litre tank on the Corsa, and of course saving a bit on the gas per litre over heavy oil!

Will keep you all informed as to how I get on with this car over time, as I did with my previous Vectra. I wanted to downsize from the Veccy, the only thing I am missing on the Corsa is cruise control and a bit more torque for overtaking... but otherwise it's hard to fault this baby! Great car!