Used Car of the Year 2024: Vauxhall Corsa-e

Used Car of the Year 2024: Vauxhall Corsa-e

As always, the used car market is flooded with bargains, but only if you know the right places to look. One such car proved to be so compelling in 2024 that it’s simply impossible to overlook it for our prestigious top spot. 

The Vauxhall Corsa-e was a little too pricey when it first hit the road as a new car four years ago, but the used market has completely changed the situation. For the first time, the electric version of one of Britain’s most popular superminis is the same price – or even slightly cheaper – than a petrol or diesel Corsa with the equivalent age and mileage. 

And given the running cost advantages that inherently come with an electric vehicle, that’s a huge deal. In addition to that, by almost any measure, the electric powertrain makes this version of the Corsa better to drive. For starters there’s the smooth, almost silent motor which, with no gears to worry about, makes it among the easiest and smoothest cars on
the road to drive. It’s responsive, too, with acceleration arriving as soon as you touch the accelerator pedal; there’s no waiting for an engine to reach its powerband here. 

Above everything, though, the running costs swing it. At today’s fuel prices, £20 will see a petrol Corsa cover about 180 miles if it can hit 55mpg. If it's charged at home, the Corsa-e’s 46.3kWh of usable energy means that 180 miles of real-world range will cost half that. And that’s on a home energy tariff at the current electricity price cap of 22.36p per kilowatt hour – some energy providers charge as little as 9p per kWh when you top up a car overnight, so an electric Corsa's fuel bills could run to as little as a quarter of the petrol model’s. 

A great car that is faster, smoother and cheaper to run than a petrol model, but a similar cost to buy, the Vauxhall Corsa-e makes total sense and is our Used Car of the Year 2024. 

Our choice: Vauxhall Corsa-e 50kWh SE Nav (2020/70, 26k miles, £9,800)

Silver: Toyota RAV4

Nobody does hybrids better than Toyota, and few SUVs have been as consistently good as the RAV4, which means the RAV4 Hybrid is a tremendous choice. There’s brilliant feedback from owners, which reinforces the brand’s reputation for good reliability, in a car with lots of space, low running costs and a superb warranty. A close runner-up. 

Bronze: Ford Puma

The Puma is as brilliant to drive as you’d hope for in a small Ford, yet offers superb practicality. Its boot capacity is great for a car this size, and the hose-down Megabox makes it versatile for families. Its popularity means lots of choice, while good tech and strong engines also appeal.

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