Opel Corsa Electric 51 kWh

Overview

The Opel Corsa-e 51 kWh is a properly stylish and competent electric supermini, making a strong case for itself in Europe's crowded city-car segment. It packs a compelling blend of sharp looks, a user-friendly cabin, and nippy performance that’s perfect for urban driving. As a recently discontinued model, it represents excellent value, with this specific trim available on the pre-owned market for an estimated price of around €28,880. For first-time EV buyers or those needing a brilliant second car, the Corsa-e is a top contender that’s fun, frugal, and easy to live with.

What's New for 2025?

While production concludes in 2025, this version of the Corsa-e represents a significant mid-cycle update over its predecessor. The key upgrade is the powertrain, featuring a more potent 115 kW motor and a more efficient 51 kWh battery pack, boosting both performance and range. This refresh also introduced the striking 'Opel Vizor' front-end design, giving the car a much more modern and assertive look. Inside, the infotainment system received updates for a smoother user experience, solidifying its position as a fresh and competitive option in its final model years.

Design & Exterior

The Corsa-e's biggest party trick is its design, led by the sleek, black 'Opel Vizor' panel that neatly integrates the grille and headlights. It transforms the car from just another supermini into a genuinely sharp-looking machine. The crisp lines and athletic stance give it a purposeful look that stands out in a car park. Its compact city-friendly dimensions are a huge plus, measuring 4061 mm in length, 1765 mm in width, and 1435 mm in height. It’s a cracking design that proves affordable electric cars don’t have to be boring.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the Corsa-e offers a modern and driver-focused cockpit. You get a digital instrument cluster and a central touchscreen with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keeping things tidy and tech-forward. While some plastics feel built to a price, the overall layout is ergonomic and user-friendly. Passenger space is decent for its class, but the boot is where it shines for a small car. You get 267 litres of space with the seats up, which expands to a very usable 1042 litres when they’re folded down. There is no frunk, however.

Performance & Driving Experience

This car is a proper little pocket rocket for town driving. With its 115 kW Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor sending 260 Nm of torque to the front wheels, it feels incredibly responsive off the line. The 0-100 km/h sprint is dispatched in a swift 8.1 seconds, making it feel much quicker than the numbers suggest in city traffic. The ride is comfortably tuned for bumpy urban streets, and its compact size makes it a joy to pilot and park. Selectable drive modes let you choose between maximum efficiency or punchier performance.

Range, Battery & Charging

Powered by a 48.1 kWh usable battery, Green Cars Compare calculates a real-world range of around 353 km, which is plenty for daily commutes and weekend trips. Its efficiency is solid at 7.34 km/kWh. For charging, it uses the European standard CCS Type 2 port. At home on an AC wallbox, the standard 7.4 kW charger gets the job done overnight, with an 11 kW option available for a faster top-up. Out on the road, it can handle DC fast charging up to 100 kW, zapping the battery from 10-80% in about 30 minutes.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Safety is well-catered for, with the Corsa-e earning a solid 4-star rating from Euro NCAP. Opel equips it with a good baseline of assistance systems as standard, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, and traffic sign recognition to help you stay aware and safe. For more relaxed motorway journeys, you can often find models equipped with the optional pack that includes adaptive cruise control and more advanced lane positioning assist, making it a safe bet for a small car.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Like other Opel models in Europe, the Corsa-e typically comes with a 2-year, unlimited-kilometre basic vehicle warranty. Crucially, the high-voltage battery is covered by a separate, more extensive warranty, which is standard for the industry at 8 years or 160,000 kilometres, guaranteeing it will retain at least 70% of its original capacity. Being an EV, maintenance is simpler and cheaper than a combustion-engine car, with fewer moving parts to service, meaning lower running costs over the life of the vehicle. Always check with the dealer for country-specific details.