DuelsLeaderboardGarageBlogCarsGlossaryBrowse

Opel Corsa

Opel

Opel Corsa: Opel Corsa: Europe's Small Car Staple
Photo: Alexander-93 / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Opel Corsa: Europe's Small Car Staple

The Opel Corsa is a supermini hatchback and one of Europe's best-selling small cars, sold as the Vauxhall Corsa in the UK.

Launched in 1982, the Corsa filled Opel's entry-level slot below the Kadett and later the Astra, quickly becoming a staple of European city and family driving. Its combination of compact dimensions, affordable pricing, and steady updates across six generations has kept it near the top of Europe's sales charts for decades.

The Corsa has always worn Vauxhall badging in Britain, initially as the Vauxhall Nova before adopting the Corsa name to align with the rest of Europe. It has also served as a platform for sportier GSi and VXR performance variants aimed at younger buyers seeking a hot hatch on a budget.

Under Stellantis, the current Corsa shares its platform with the Peugeot 208 and is offered as the fully electric Corsa Electric alongside petrol versions, making it one of Opel's clearest examples of shared-platform efficiency paired with an all-electric option.

Frequently asked questions about Opel Corsa

When did the Opel Corsa launch?
The Corsa launched in 1982 as Opel's entry-level supermini, positioned below the Kadett and later the Astra in the lineup.
Was the Corsa always called Corsa in the UK?
No. The UK originally sold it as the Vauxhall Nova before switching to the Corsa name to match the rest of Europe.
Is there an electric Corsa?
Yes. The Corsa Electric, also known as the Corsa-e, is a fully electric version offered alongside petrol variants in the current generation.
What platform does the current Corsa share?
The current Corsa shares its underlying platform with the Peugeot 208, a result of Stellantis's shared-architecture strategy.
Has the Corsa had performance versions?
Yes. Opel has offered sportier Corsa GSi and VXR variants over the years aimed at buyers wanting hot-hatch performance in a small package.

Other Opel models

AstraGrandlandInsigniaKadettMantaMokkaVectra
More Opel models