I read the article and came away with different impressions:

1. The journalist was a sloppy driver, stalling a car which has an engine lauded for its low down torque and suiability as a city car.

2. The diesel engine is not unpleasant to the ear under hard acceleration, with the distinctive thrum of a three-pot seemingly overriding the traditional diesel clatter. That doesn't sound like any kind of deprecatory remark, just that it sounds like a 3 cyl diesel. No indication that the engine drives any differently to any other small diesel and that VAG 3 cyl diesels are distinctly different to drive.

3. Expensive? Spec a Corsa to the same level and it comes in at around £15,900.