Vauxhall (Opel) Mokka Review

CarGurus UK
21 May 202108:18

TLDRThe Vauxhall (Opel) Mokka review highlights the second-generation model's improved styling and features. Available with an electric version, the Mokka E, and two 1.2L turbocharged petrol engines, it also offers a 1.5L diesel option. Trim levels include SC, SRi, Elite Nav, and Ultimate Nav, each with varying features like alloy wheels, heated seats, and advanced infotainment systems. Safety is bolstered with automatic emergency braking and lane assistance. While practicality is somewhat limited due to its small boot and narrow cabin, the Mokka's refreshed design and performance make it a contender in the SUV market.

Takeaways

  • 🆕 The all-new second-generation Vauxhall Mokka has been redesigned and features a new design language that will be reflected in future Vauxhall models.
  • 🔋 The Mokka E is an electric version with an official range of over 200 miles and can be charged using a 7kW home charger or a 100kW public rapid charger.
  • 🚗 There are multiple engine options available, including two 1.2-liter turbocharged petrol engines with 99 and 128 horsepower, and a 1.5-liter diesel with 108 horsepower.
  • 🛠️ The car comes in various trims, each offering different features and combinations of contrasting colors for wheels, roof, window trims, and other body elements.
  • 📱 Infotainment systems vary by trim, with higher trims offering a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12-inch instrument panel, while standard trims have a 7-inch instrument screen and touchscreen.
  • 🛡️ Safety features across all Mokka models include automatic emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control on all but the entry-level model.
  • 📏 The Mokka's boot space is 350 liters, which is smaller than its class competitors, and has a high load lip, making loading items a bit awkward.
  • 🧍‍♂️ Rear seat space is somewhat limited, especially for taller passengers and when trying to fit three people side by side, due to the narrow cabin width.
  • 🔧 The interior quality has improved with some glossy details, but there are still areas with hard, scratchy plastic that detract from the overall feel.
  • 🛣️ Ride comfort has improved compared to the previous model, with a firm but comfortable ride, and the Mokka E has a slightly more settled ride due to the extra weight of its batteries.
  • 🚀 The 128 horsepower petrol engine is strong, eager, and revs smoothly and quietly, with the option of a smooth 8-speed automatic gearbox that suits the car's nature.

Q & A

  • What was the general public's opinion of the original Vauxhall Mokka?

    -The original Vauxhall Mokka was not highly regarded for its unsettled ride and poorly finished interior, but it was phenomenally successful due to its SUV styling at an affordable price.

  • What is the significance of the all-new second-generation Vauxhall Mokka?

    -The all-new second-generation Vauxhall Mokka is a statement of intent for Vauxhall, as it's the first car to use the brand's new design language, which will influence the styling of other Vauxhall models.

  • What are the different trim options available for the Vauxhall Mokka?

    -The Vauxhall Mokka is available in SC, SRi, Elite Nav, and Ultimate Nav trims, each offering different combinations of features such as alloy wheels, cruise control, heated front seats, electronic climate control, navigation, and upgraded infotainment systems.

  • What type of engines does the new Vauxhall Mokka offer?

    -The new Vauxhall Mokka offers two 1.2-liter turbocharged petrol engines with 99 and 128 horsepower, a 1.5-liter diesel engine with 108 horsepower, and an electric version called Mokka E.

  • What is the official range of the Mokka E electric version and how long does it take to charge?

    -The Mokka E has an official range of just over 200 miles, and it takes around seven and a half hours to charge on a 7 kW home charger or half an hour with a 100 kW public rapid charger.

  • What are the safety features included in all Vauxhall Mokka models?

    -All Vauxhall Mokka models come with automatic emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, and most models have adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera, and parking sensors.

  • How does the practicality of the Vauxhall Mokka compare to its class?

    -The Vauxhall Mokka is a small SUV with a 350-liter boot capacity, which is a bit small for its class. It also has a high load lip and split-folding rear seats that don't lie completely flat, making it less practical than some competitors.

  • What are the seating and space considerations for the Vauxhall Mokka?

    -The Vauxhall Mokka has limited headroom in the back, especially for taller passengers, and a narrow cabin width, making it a bit cramped for three people side by side. However, there is plenty of legroom for slightly taller individuals in the front.

  • How does the ride comfort of the new Vauxhall Mokka compare to its predecessor?

    -The new Vauxhall Mokka has improved ride comfort compared to its predecessor, with a firm but comfortable ride. The Mokka E electric version has a slightly more settled ride due to the extra weight of its batteries.

  • What are the steering and handling characteristics of the Vauxhall Mokka?

    -The Vauxhall Mokka has reasonably sharp direction changes and resists body roll well, but its steering has a big dead zone in the middle, and it reacts quickly when it does, requiring frequent corrections to initial inputs.

  • How does the Vauxhall Mokka compare to its rivals in terms of price and market appeal?

    -The Vauxhall Mokka is not the cheapest option compared to its rivals, but its appealing design could be a significant factor for buyers in the image-conscious SUV market segment.

Outlines

00:00

🚗 New Vauxhall Mokka: Style Meets Function

The video begins by acknowledging that the original Vauxhall Mokka had its shortcomings, such as a bumpy ride and a low-quality interior. Despite this, it became popular due to its SUV aesthetics and affordability. This new generation of the Mokka receives praise for its improved design, but the review aims to assess whether it has improved in other key areas. The video invites viewers to subscribe to the channel for more car reviews. This model also represents a significant shift for Vauxhall as it introduces a new design language that will influence future vehicles.

05:02

🔋 Mokka Highlights: Electric Option, Engine Choices, and Trims

This section covers five essential aspects of the new Vauxhall Mokka. First, there’s an electric version called the Mokka-e, which has a 200-mile range and various charging options. Second, petrol and diesel engine choices are available, including two turbocharged 1.2-liter petrol engines and a 1.5-liter diesel option. Third, trims range from SC to Ultimate Nav, offering features like alloy wheels, heated seats, and upgraded infotainment systems. Fourth, the infotainment setup varies with screen sizes from 7 to 10 inches depending on the trim. Finally, the Mokka includes safety features like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control, with hopes of achieving a five-star Euro NCAP rating.

🧳 Practicality and Comfort: The Mokka's Interior Space

The Mokka is positioned as a small SUV, but its practicality may not be ideal for families. It offers a 350-liter boot capacity, which is smaller than competitors. The rear seats fold down but leave a step in the floor, making it less convenient for loading larger items. Getting into the back seats is somewhat awkward due to narrow door openings and protruding bodywork. Once inside, headroom is limited for taller passengers, though legroom is sufficient. The cabin width makes seating three people side-by-side tight. Up front, the driving position is adjustable, and the high seating offers good road visibility.

🎛️ Interior Quality and Tech: Hits and Misses

The Mokka’s dashboard is logically arranged with physical controls for climate settings, though adjusting airflow requires navigating the infotainment menus, which can be cumbersome. The digital instrument panel is visually appealing, offering customizable layouts. Despite some attractive interior features, like glossy black paneling, lower-quality materials are evident, detracting from the overall feel. Ride comfort, a past weakness, has improved, though it still has a firm edge. The Mokka-e provides a smoother ride due to its heavier battery. The electric version, however, feels heavier and less agile in corners compared to the petrol model.

🏁 Driving Dynamics: Steering and Engine Performance

The Mokka’s handling is a mixed bag. The steering feels unresponsive at first, then becomes overly reactive, leading to constant corrections, which can be frustrating. However, the 128-horsepower petrol engine is praised for its strong, smooth performance, paired with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The automatic is recommended for its seamless gear shifts. Despite some handling quirks, the Mokka’s engines perform well, making it a solid choice for city and suburban driving.

💸 Verdict: Style Over Substance?

As a family SUV, the Vauxhall Mokka struggles to match its competitors in areas like comfort, practicality, and interior quality. However, it has significantly improved compared to the previous model. Its stylish design is a standout feature in a market where image matters, and for some buyers, this will outweigh its shortcomings. While it’s not the cheapest option, those who are captivated by its appearance may already be set on purchasing one. The video concludes by encouraging viewers to share their thoughts in the comments, like, and subscribe for more content.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Vauxhall Mokka

The Vauxhall Mokka is a compact SUV produced by the British automobile manufacturer Vauxhall, which is essentially the Opel Mokka in the UK market. The vehicle is central to the video's theme as it is the subject of the review, highlighting its transformation from the original model to the second-generation version, which is said to have improved significantly in terms of styling and other aspects.

💡Design Language

Design language in the automotive context refers to the visual and stylistic elements that define a brand's identity across its range of vehicles. In the script, it is mentioned that the new Vauxhall Mokka is the first to use Vauxhall's new design language, indicating that future models will incorporate elements of its styling, which is seen as a positive evolution.

💡Trims

Trims in a car refer to the different levels of features, equipment, and aesthetics offered by manufacturers to customize the vehicle to different market segments or customer preferences. The script outlines various trims available for the Mokka, such as SC, SRi, Elite Nav, and Ultimate Nav, each with its own combination of features like alloy wheels, cruise control, and advanced infotainment systems.

💡Mokka E

Mokka E denotes the electric version of the Vauxhall Mokka. The script provides specific details about its driving range, charging times, and the infrastructure required for home and public charging, emphasizing the growing importance of electric vehicles and their practicality for consumers.

💡Engines

The term 'engines' in the script refers to the different powertrain options available for the Mokka. It includes two 1.2-liter turbocharged petrol engines with varying horsepower and a 1.5-liter diesel engine, offering consumers a choice based on their preferences for performance and fuel type.

💡Infotainment

Infotainment in the context of the video refers to the integrated system within the car that provides interactive features such as navigation, music, and communication. The script discusses the different infotainment setups available across the Mokka's trims, including screen sizes and compatibility with technologies like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

💡Safety Features

Safety features are the various systems and technologies incorporated into a vehicle to protect its occupants and other road users. The script highlights the Mokka's safety features such as automatic emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, and lane departure warning, which are standard across all models except the entry-level variant.

💡Practicality

Practicality in the context of the Mokka review refers to the vehicle's ability to meet the needs of a small family, including its storage capacity and ease of use. The script points out the car's relatively small boot size and the practical limitations of its rear seating and door openings.

💡Ride Comfort

Ride comfort is a measure of how well a vehicle isolates its occupants from road imperfections, providing a smooth driving experience. The script contrasts the old Mokka's unsettled ride with the new model's improved, though still firm, ride quality, which is an important consideration for potential buyers.

💡Steering

Steering in the script refers to the system that allows the driver to control the direction of the vehicle. It is mentioned that the Mokka's steering has a significant dead zone and is quick to react once movement is initiated, which can lead to the need for constant corrections and may affect driving experience.

💡Petrol Engine

A petrol engine, as discussed in the script, is an internal combustion engine that runs on gasoline. The Mokka's 128 horsepower petrol engine is praised for its strength, eagerness, and smooth, quiet operation, which are desirable characteristics for a family SUV.

Highlights

The all-new second-generation Vauxhall Mokka has a refreshed design and improved features compared to its predecessor.

The Mokka is the first car to use Vauxhall's new design language, indicating future models will share some of its styling elements.

The Mokka E offers an electric version with an official range of over 200 miles and various charging options.

There are multiple engine options available, including two 1.2-liter turbocharged petrol engines and a 1.5-liter diesel.

The Mokka comes in various trims, each with different features like alloy wheels, cruise control, and automatic lights and wipers.

Higher trims offer additional features such as heated front seats, electronic climate control, and extra USB ports.

Infotainment systems vary, with some models featuring a 7-inch instrument screen and touchscreen, while others have a 10-inch touchscreen and 12-inch instrument panel.

All Mokka models come with automatic emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assistance.

The Mokka's boot capacity is 350 liters, which is smaller than its class competitors and has a high load lip.

Rear seats are split-folding but do not lie completely flat, creating a step in the floor when folded down.

The backseat is narrow, making it difficult to fit three people side by side comfortably.

The front seats offer plenty of adjustment for a comfortable driving position with a high-set seat for a commanding view.

The infotainment system is logically arranged but can be slow and difficult to navigate compared to rivals.

The Mokka features a mix of high-quality materials and some hard, scratchy plastics in the interior.

The new Mokka has improved ride comfort compared to the previous model, with a firm but comfortable ride.

The Mokka E has a slightly more settled ride due to the extra weight of its batteries.

The steering has a noticeable dead zone and requires frequent corrections, which can be annoying.

The 128 horsepower petrol engine is strong, eager, and revs smoothly and quietly.

The optional eight-speed automatic gearbox is smooth and suits the nature of the engine.

While not ideal as a family SUV due to comfort, practicality, and quality issues, the Mokka is closer to its rivals than before.

The Mokka's styling is a significant draw in an image-conscious market segment.

The Mokka is not the cheapest option in its class but offers a compelling design for those who value aesthetics.