Used Vauxhall Corsavan 2014-2018 review

The choice for lovers of car-derived vans is pretty slim these days, meaning many buyers turn to used examples such as this Vauxhall Corsavan, which went off sale in 2018.

While sales numbers were small while it was made, the Corsavan - and its main rivals, the Ford Fiesta van and Mini Clubvan - filled an important niche for small businesses, tradesmen and big fleets.

Buyers get a choice of both diesel and petrol engines, with the entry-level unit a 69bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine. Diesel units are based around a 1.3-litre turbodiesel with power outputs of 74bhp and 94bhp.

As you might imagine, even the basic Corsavan feels every inch like an accomplished hatchback. Even where it is modified, it excels: there’s very little in the way of noise from the opened-up rear loadspace and the cabin is well laid out and comfortable.

On the road the Corsavan feels well balanced, with a relatively firm ride that compliments both its laden and unladen driving. Throw the Corsavan into a corner and you’ll find good feedback from the steering and hardly any noticeable body roll. It’s a very enjoyable small van to drive and a match for the Fiesta van of the same age.

The Corsavan is also versatile. Measuring 1264mm wide and with a total length of 1257mm, the Corsavan load area has a respectable 0.92m3 capacity.

However, it’s 912mm load height is fairly high off the ground, which can make placing heavier items into it quite challenging, particularly as you also have to negotiate the large boot lip in order to place the item down.

In contrast, the enormous opening provided by the boot of the hatchback tailgate is very useful for making the most use of what little space there is. The rear seats have been removed completely from the Corsavan, meaning the floor is completely flat – unlike in a passenger car, when you fold the rear seats forward and they rest at an angle.

As unlikely as it might be that you will want to pile a huge amount of weight in the back, the Corsavan can still move up to 571kg, 21kg more than the previous generation van and more than 60kg more than its fiercest rival, the Ford Fiesta van. That said, the Fiesta van does have a slightly larger load volume at just over 1m3.

When the Corsavan was launched, basic on-the-road prices for the entry-level diesel started at just under £13,500, while the 94bhp Sportive would set you back around £14,500. The petrol-powered 1.2-litre 69bhp model was also available from £12,000, although these were a fairly uncommon choice and nowhere near as efficient on fuel. Depreciation has now done its work, with Corsavans typically available for between a quarter and half of those prices depending on age and condition, making them temptingly affordable work horses.

The Corsa is an inexpensive car to buy, and it's cheap to run, too, thanks to efficient engines, low insurance costs and minimal road tax.

MPG

The major advantage of such a small van is the huge fuel consumption benefit over a regular light commercial vehicle.

The Corsavan’s small engines laid claim to some enormously impressive figures, with the most economic model, the 94bhp diesel Sportive, offering a claimed fuel consumption of 85.6mpg.

Car tax

Opt for one of the diesels - of which there is much more supply than the petrol - and tax is especially low, based on emissions of just 87g/km CO2. The petrol and diesel engines also meet Euro 6 standards and come with fuel saving technology like stop/start.

Running costs

Running costs are also good, with excellent fuel consumption of up to 80mpg in the real world for the diesel versions particularly notable.

Vauxhall also offered the Corsavan with a four-year free servicing plan, four years of roadside assistance and four-year warranty. If you can find one with some manufacturer support still remaining then the total cost of ownership should be especially competitive.

We’d recommend the 94bhp Sportive model as the one to go for. It has a higher level of equipment that is definitely worth the additional cost, plus a host of safety features including straight line stability control, cornering brake control, brake assist, torque control, active rollover protection and hill start assist, plus mandatory ESP.

Performance is impressive too; while the 94bhp with Sportive trim would be our preference, the 74bhp model has enough low-end torque to make even a maximum weight Corsavan feel reasonably spritely.

Ideally, look for a version under four years old, as it will still have some warranty and pre-paid servicing to run.

The Fiesta van and Mini Clubvan are the most obvious rivals to consider, and are in most plentiful supply on the used market.

Other rivals, which sold in smaller numbers and weren't quite as well regarded, include the Citroen Nemo, Peugeot Bipper and Fiat Fiorino.

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