Vauxhall Mokka Review 2023

The dreary old Vauxhall Mokka has been replaced by a stylish new contender in the small SUV category. Priced upwards of £22,000, the desirable new Mokka is tempting buyers away from the Renault Captur, Ford Puma and Skoda Kamiq. You can also have it as an electric car. Check out our Vauxhall Mokka review to see why it's such a big improvement.  

The old Vauxhall Mokka (or Mokka X as it was also known) used to be tough to recommend unless you were on a strict budget. It was cheap, sure, but not cheerful, with a drab design, dated interior and disappointingly old-fashioned driving experience.

Today there's an all-new Vauxhall Mokka, and it's off to a much better start. It's based on a new platform, shared with the Citroen C4 and Peugeot 2008. Each have their own distinct style, though, and the Mokka's edgy 'Vizor' design language means there's no chance of it blending in. Not something that could be said about the old model.

The new Mokka looks pretty stylish inside, too, although it's a little bit dependent on which trim level you opt for. SRi models, for example, come with a flat-bottomed, leather-covered steering wheel and alloy pedals, while the high-spec Ultimate Nav features a flash 10-inch navigation system. Launch Edition cars come with a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, too.

Like its peers, the Mokka is offered with petrol, diesel or electric power (the latter badged the Mokka-e). Don't bother with the diesel, unless you're planning to cover mega miles (or perhaps need to tow a small caravan).

The 1.2-litre petrol's expected to be the big seller, and it's available with 100PS or 130PS. It's a typical three-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit, more than sprightly enough around town and capable of holding its own on the motorway. The Mokka-e is the punchiest, but you're looking at a good £4,000 more than a mid-spec petrol automatic model. 

While competitors like the Ford Puma and SEAT Arona are surprisingly agile, the Mokka takes a more laid back, comfortable approach. As such, there's not a great deal of enjoyment to be had in driving it quickly, but its suspension does a commendable job of smoothing over bumpy road surfaces (particularly around town). That could be more important for many. 

The Vauxhall Mokka is also easy to drive, particularly if you go for the automatic gearbox option. There's also plenty of safety tech on hand to prevent you from being involved in a crash. Not enough for a five-star Euro NCAP rating, mind – a lack of a centre airbag and the autonomous emergency braking system's inability to spot a cyclist were its downfall. But it's a safe car all things considered. 

It'll be cheap to run, too, with the 1.2-litre petrol engine capable of up to 51.4mpg (47.9mpg with the auto gearbox), while the 1.5-litre diesel officially returns up to 65.7mpg. Insurance and tax costs aren't high, either. If you're prepared to stump up for the Vauxhall Mokka e you'll save a lot of money in fuel, while you won't pay any tax.

Looking for a second opinion? Read heycar's Vauxhall Mokka-e review.

As is often the case, you'll pay for the Vauxhall Mokka's style when it comes to boot space. It's actually quite compact as far as small SUVs go, and smaller than its predecessor. That means it's easier to park, but also that it's not as practical as a Skoda Kamiq, Nissan Juke or the rather boxy Vauxhall Crossland.

The Vauxhall Mokka's boot capacity is 350 litres, which is below average in this segment and only about 40 litres more than the Corsa. There's no trick sliding bench, although a false boot floor is standard across the range. This reduces the lip making it easier to load bulky items, while also giving you somewhere to hide things away securely.

There's plenty of space for front passengers, and you actually sit fairly high up in the Mokka – not something you should take for granted with small SUVs. It's easy to get comfortable, although a lack of adjustable lumbar support isn't ideal for long journeys.

Things aren't class-leading for rear-seat passengers. Kids will be OK back there (there are Isofix child-seat mounting points on the outer seats), but it feels cramped and claustrophobic for tall adults. The Vauxhall Mokka-e isn't any less spacious because the car has been designed from the get-go to be available with an electric option. 

In terms of exterior dimensions the Vauxhall Mokka is 4,151mm long, 1,791mm wide and 1,531mm tall. That makes it a full 125mm shorter and 126mm lower than the old version. 

Only time will tell how well the Vauxhall Mokka's cabin will stand up to family life, but it doesn't feel as plush as a Peugeot 2008. Some of the buttons feel on the tacky side, and there are harsh plastics here and there. It's a bit spec-dependent, though, with pricier models feeling more satisfactory than the most affordable trim levels. It's also a darn sight nicer than the old Mokka's interior. 

The Vauxhall Mokka comes with two sizes of infotainment screen depending on trim level: seven-inch or 10-inch. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the range (a good thing as sat-nav isn't available on all models), as well as DAB radio and Bluetooth connectivity.

We've only sampled the bigger 10-inch display so far and it's decent enough, if not top of the class. It's just a bit laggy to use and the graphics leave a little to be desired, although it's simple to operate. We do like that there are physical controls for adjusting the volume or tweaking the climate control – it's much easier than having to navigate numerous menus, particularly when driving.

A seven-inch digital instrument cluster is standard across the range, upgraded to a fancier 12-inch display on Ultimate Nav and Launch Edition models. Don't expect Audi's Virtual Cockpit levels of interactivity, but it looks smart enough.

As of 2022 prices start at £22,865 for a 1.2-litre 100PS Vauxhall Mokka Design, which is around £1,000 more than a basic Skoda Kamiq and a full £3,000 more than the cheapest Kia Stonic. You do get a higher level of standard equipment than both those cars, however, and it is cheaper than a Ford Puma. 

You'll pay £1,200 more for the 130PS version of the same engine, with the automatic version of that another £1,410. GS Line trim commands a £2,350 premium, with Ultimate trim looking pricey at £29,660 for the 130PS model. 

The electric Vauxhall Mokka-e looks pricey at £32,685 for a GS Line and £34,995 for the Ultimate model. But all electric cars command a premium, and it's still one of the most affordable electric SUVs out there. 

The old Vauxhall Mokka needed hefty discounts to shift it out the showroom, but the price drops might not be as generous now. Still, we've seen very competitive finance deals with healthy deposit contributions.

Officially, you can expect to see up to 51.4mpg from the Mokka 1.2-litre petrol, dropping to 47.9mpg with the automatic gearbox. If you really don't like visiting the petrol station, the diesel model is good for up to 65.7mpg. It's probably not worth the extra money in the first place, though, unless you cover a lot of motorway miles.

Annual VED car tax is a flat rate of £155 no matter which model you choose (that'll be the same as rivals unless you opt for a hybrid or electric alternative, or the free road tax of the Mokka-e) with no 'premium car' tax to worry about, just the first-year rate. 

In terms of charging and range, the Vauxhall Mokka-e has a 50kWh battery (total) which results in an official (so slightly optimistic) range of 209 miles. If you're charging at home it'll cost buttons to run, and its 101kW rapid charging speed is decent enough. 

Insurance groups range from 13E to 19E which will make it affordable, but shop around for quotes, especially if you're an inexperienced driver.

Don't be intimidated by the Vauxhall Mokka's SUV appearance – it's just as easy as a Corsa hatchback to drive, with good visibility, light steering and plenty of technology on hand to keep you on the straight and narrow.

It's comfortable, with springy suspension on hand to absorb any uneven road surfaces. It does get a little flustered when you hit a pothole at higher speeds, but generally it feels very composed and relaxing to drive.

The steering isn't as direct as a Ford Puma or SEAT Arona's, but there's enough grip on hand to ensure you'll feel safe. Just don't go looking for thrills because you won't find any.

The electric Vauxhall Mokka-e isn't as agile on the road because it weighs quite a bit more than the petrol or diesel models. But it's still fairly comfortable overall.

There isn't a four-wheel-drive model so, if you expect to traverse muddy campsites, you might be better looking at an affordable 4x4 alternative like the Dacia Duster.

Looking for a second opinion? Why not read heycar's Vauxhall Mokka review

The Vauxhall Mokka's engine line-up is pleasingly simple. The majority of buyers should opt for the 1.2-litre petrol. This is a typical small turbocharged unit, available with two power outputs: 100PS or 130PS. It's punchy throughout the rev range, relatively smooth for a three-cylinder and decent on fuel.

Both are offered with a six-speed manual gearbox, while the more powerful engine can also be paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

There's also a 1.5-litre diesel on offer, which we're yet to try. With just 110PS and a fairly leisurely 10.8-second 0-60mph time, this is no powerhouse, but it'll be adequate for drivers who want to cover a lot of miles at minimal expense.

The Vauxhall Mokka-e gets a 136PS electric motor powering the front wheels. It's perky off the line, but out of town its performance is fairly modest compared to some more powerful rivals like the Kia Niro EV. 

Euro NCAP, the independent body responsible for crash testing new cars, gave the Vauxhall Mokka a bit of a slating when it gave it a four-star rating in 2021. "The new Mokka lacks some critical safety systems that have become increasingly commonplace by now," said Euro NCAP's secretary general. "The latest edition clearly lacks the ambition of the previous Mokka that was a runner-up of 2012 Best in Class in the Small Family category.”

Harsh words, but don't dismiss the Mokka just yet. It was marked down for a lack of a centre airbag, as well as the inability of its autonomous emergency braking system to recognise cyclists. Neither of which make the Mokka a fundamentally unsafe car for its occupants - far from it, in fact.

All models get an automatic emergency city braking system, which can apply the brakes to prevent a collision, while emergency brake assist can increase the amount of braking assistance when required. Hill start assist will prevent you rolling backwards on a hill, while Isofix child seat mounting points are fitted to the outer rear seats.

The Vauxhall Mokka can tow a braked trailer weighing up to 1200kg. That's sufficient for a small trailer or caravan.

The range kicks off with the Vauxhall Mokka SE, which covers all the basics pretty well for an entry-level car. Standard equipment includes a seven-inch colour touchscreen (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control and cruise control (with speed limiter). There are LED headlights and tail lights, a lane departure warning system and speed sign recognition.

The sportier Vauxhall Mokka SRI adds 18-inch bi-colour alloy wheels with red highlights, electronic climate control, adaptive cruise control, heated front seats, panoramic rear view camera and rear parking sensors.

The Vauxhall Mokka Elite Nav is a posher option, with heated front seats and steering wheel, as well as navigation but smaller 16-inch alloy wheels. The high-spec Vauxhall Mokka Ultimate Nav comes with a 10-inch nav system, 12-inch digital instrument panel, front/rear parking sensors, part-leather seats and LED Matrix headlights.

The Vauxhall Mokka Launch Edition is similarly kitted out to the Ultimate Nav, but with desirable full-leather trim complete with driver's seat massage function.