Competition has become fierce in the entry-level sedan market, with Tata’s Indica and Indigo, Hyundai’s Atos, Kia’s Picanto and the Chevrolet Spark all taking huge chunks of market share away from their long-established opposition.
Despite having numerous quality problems, the Tatas sell well because they offer high-specification motoring at low prices, while the Korean-built Chev, Hyundai and Kia have all earned the respect of the South African motoring public for their quality and the value they offer.
In the under-R80Â 000 segment the buyer is suddenly spoilt for choice, and sales of earlier-generation budget vehicles such as the VW Citigolf, the Opel Corsa Lite and the Toyota Tazz are most threatened. Of these three, the Corsa is by far the most modern package, and stands the best chance of survival.
General Motors has given the Corsa Lite a face-lift in an effort to stave off the uppity newcomers. All three models in the range now come with power steering, previously only fitted to the Corsa Lite Plus. Wheel-arch mouldings and bumpers are now colour-coded to the body, and clear headlamps are standard. The Sport version gains new 14″ alloy wheels.
Pricing is keen and the Opels still offer good value for money, despite their vintage. The base model costs marginally more than its predecessor, at R69Â 990, while the Corsa Lite with air con, at R78Â 990, is slightly cheaper than the Corsa Lite Plus it replaces.
The Sport model, with standard air con, is about R4Â 000 cheaper than the outgoing Sport, at R82Â 990. All three models use the same trusty 65kW/112Nm fuel-injected 1,4-litre petrol engine.