This is the car for you if… you want a small car with a big personality – and even bigger features.

The new five-door Vauxhall Corsa-e is causing a stir in the motoring world – and it’s easy to see why. The revamped electric version of the classic Corsa has lost none of its playfulness but undergone a very modern makeover.

Gone are the boxy edges of the original Corsa and in its place are rounded corners, an eye-catching front grille and a two-tone design with black roof. The Corsa-e has been given a sportier shape, so it’s wider and lower to the ground. There are bi-colour alloy wheels and a much roomier boot (which will please existing Corsa owners).

Inside, the Corsa’s familiar controls have had a state-of-the-art boost with a 7-inch colour touchscreen entertainment system (upgrade for the 10-inch version). There’s support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Bluetooth audio streaming. There are new creature comforts too – like heated front seats and an optional heated steering wheel.

But this new-generation car isn’t all style over substance. The Corsa-e comes with a boot-load of new safety features. Like automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning. And even a driver drowsiness system. This gives an audio and visual wake-up call if the vehicle happens to veer unexpectedly. In case this indicates a weary driver at the wheel.

There are adaptive and glare-free LED headlights. So you can see the way clearly, whether you’re squeezing through a busy city street or tackling bendy country lanes. Full beam assist technology automatically deactivates the car’s full beam when you approach another vehicle. And parking is a doddle when you have a panoramic rear-view camera giving you a 180-degree view. So the all-new Vauxhall Corsa-e is a fun drive – but a smart one too.

This sporty hatchback is easy to manoeuvre. It nips round bends and accelerates from 0 – 62mph in 8.1 seconds without breaking into a sweat. There are three driving modes to choose from – Normal, Sport and Eco – and no gears to worry about.

Switching to Eco mode boosts your battery range. But at 209 miles in WLTP tests, you might not need to. The Corsa-e charges in 7-8 hours using a home wall box charger. Or if you’re on the road, get a reboot of 80% in under 40 mins at a rapid charging station.

Our three favourite Corsa-e features

1. Worried about range anxiety? Switch to Eco mode while driving and Vauxhall claims it’ll extend the Corsa-e’s battery range by up to 40%.
2. One of the most useful safety features in the Corsa-e is the ‘Side Blind Spot Alert’. It’s the backseat driver you actually need, warning you of cars you can’t see when you switch lanes.
3. The Corsa-e is still as compact as previous models – it hasn’t been super-sized as part of its makeover – and that’s why we love it. The big difference you’ll notice though is the extra boot space. So it’s a win-win for everyone.

You’ll like the Vauxhall Corsa-e if you… Want a compact hatchback that’s fun to drive but doesn’t compromise on safety or comfort.