To classify the Corsa-e correctly might not be that easy. That is not the case for its abilities as an electric car. It is a reasonably priced car in the B segment, although the basic version is excluded from almost all additions and assistants, except for the automatic climate control system, some of which cannot even be bought in addition.

An VW ID.3 will cost almost as much, be much bigger, but has less range and will still be heavier. However, the ID.3 can be upgraded in its range. It is just the completely different concept. There they use the entire vehicle floor, accept more height and thus gain more interior space.

In principle, the Corsa runs off the assembly line together with its petrol and diesel brothers. This is, of course, more practical for the manufacturer, saves development costs and gives more flexibility in times of e-mobility uncertainty. The customer has no advantage because the Corsa-e is not much cheaper.

Maybe a little lower, but that's its disadvantage, because even the normal Corsa is not a miracle of space utilization. The foot space in front of the front seats and the space on the back seat are already limited. If one is dependent on this, it will have to be tested very exactly before a purchase of a Corsa-e.

The luggage compartment in the Corsa-vehicles with internal combustion engines, are at the level of the VW Polo. In the case of the Corsa-e it is 42 litres less. Here it should be checked whether this almost exclusively affects the space under the loading floor, or the loading floor is already lifted noticeably. Opel also assures that the battery has left space under the front seats for the feet.

So don't let yourself be fobbed off by visiting a normal Corsa when you visit a dealer. Maybe it is not quite fair to compare the smallest of them with the E-version, but there are almost 500 kg of more weight. With this electric motor and its torque, the longitudinal dynamics probably don't suffer.

You would have to turn your attention to the lateral dynamics during a test drive. The Corsa has a good reputation in this respect. Its suspension and steering is praised everywhere. With allegedly even 100 kg less than its predecessor, it is considered to be extremely handy and is not unduly slowed down by its ESP when avoiding. Could any of this advantages be saved into the Corsae?

Be vigilant! Because a small disadvantage of the Corsa could apply also to the Corsa-e, because its fuel consumption does not sort itself straight with the eco cars. And the 16.8 kW/100km according to WLTP are not glorious either. There are bigger and heavier cars with corresponding batteries, which manage to undercut this value.

And where and why is the Corsa-e not to be classified? Well, because a Corsa would also be suitable as a second car, if one would hold oneself back buying additional equipment. But a Corsa-e for at least 30.000 € plays in a completely different league, even if you subtract the 6,000 € premium. It can also be assumed that the manufacturers will be stingy because of their 3,000 € deductible with additional discounts, with the low production rates for e-cars right now anyway.

But can the Corsa-e be a first car? For commuting to work certainly, but doesn't a family with two children need a bigger second car then? And what if they can only afford only one for 24,000 € plus extras? No, not the flight to vacation again. There the whole CO₂-savings and the example with the electric car are no longer valid. 12/19