Vauxhall Corsa Black Edition

The Vauxhall Corsa Black Edition is the most expensive Corsa you can buy, excluding the hardcore sporty Vauxhall Corsa VXR models.

As you'd expect, the Black Edition is only available in black and there's only one engine option, but that’s no hardship because it is Vauxhall’s 118bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol, which averages a decent 51.4mpg.

Standard equipment includes air-conditioning, front fog lights, sport seats, a multi-function leather-wrapped steering wheel, tinted rear windows, cruise control and 17-inch alloys. A sporty bodykit and sports suspension are also standard.

Good points

The 118bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged Vauxhall Corsa Black Edition has the most powerful engine in the Corsa range if you exclude the bonkers Vauxhall Corsa VXR. But instead of being overtly sporty, the 1.4T is quiet and smooth – and pretty efficient if you're careful with the accelerator. It's relatively cheap to run, too, returning more than 50mpg in day-to-day motoring.

Bad points

The Vauxhall Corsa Black Edition isn’t very good value. It’s too expensive and the fact that kit such as anti-skid control (ESP), side and curtain airbags, Bluetooth hands-free calling and even climate control remain on the options list isn't good enough in this day and age. The Black Edition isn’t as much fun as the closely-priced Ford Fiesta ST, while the standard sport suspension effectively makes the Corsa a tiring car over long distances and uncomfortable over bumpy roads.

What you get

• Alloy wheels
• Manual air conditioning
• Leather steering wheel
• Cruise control
• Sports suspension
• Sports seats

Recommended optional extras

• Protection Pack (curtain airbags/side airbags)
• Bluetooth
• Anti-skid control (ESP)

Our choice

There's only one engine and one colour option for the Vauxhall Corsa Black Edition. While that may not be to everyone's tastes, the 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol is arguably the best of the bunch, so haggle hard and you'll bag yourself a pretty decent supermini.