The Vauxhall Mokka Looks Like a Genuine Leap Forward, Mostly Because Its Predecessor Was So Weak
All three reviews credit this generation with a dramatic style-led transformation, while agreeing that some genuine practicality got sacrificed along the way to achieve it.
Illustration for editorial purposes
A Total Reinvention, With One Real Trade-Off
Few small SUVs have undergone as complete a visual transformation between generations as this one. Reviewers keep noting the new styling comes at a genuine cost to interior space compared with the boxier, frumpier car it replaced.
Specs at a Glance
| Body style | Small SUV |
|---|---|
| Engines | 1.2 Turbo 136 petrol, Hybrid 145, fully electric, 276bhp GSE performance |
| 0–60mph | 8.9 sec (1.2 Turbo) to genuinely rapid on the GSE |
| Boot space | 350 litres |
| GSE electric range | Around 201 miles (100 miles when driven hard) |
Full Review Summary
Top Gear
Top Gear praised the striking styling as still one of the smarter-looking cars in its class, even if it's less eye-catching now that Vauxhall's entire range shares the same front-end design language. They rated the GSE performance version genuinely surprising, with adept, fun handling backed by a limited-slip differential and stiffer suspension, concluding it's a joyful reinterpretation of the traditional hot hatch formula that most enthusiasts wouldn't expect from this badge.
What Car?
What Car? measured the entry 1.2 Turbo 136's 0-60mph at 8.9 seconds, nearly a second quicker than an equivalent Ford Puma, and rated the mild-hybrid Hybrid 145 as offering a genuine, if modest, fuel economy uplift. They found boot space trailing key rivals like the Ford Puma, Seat Arona and especially the Skoda Kamiq, and noted adjustable lumbar support is limited to the top Ultimate trim, unlike the Kamiq's manual adjustment across the entire range.
Honest John
Honest John rated the Mokka as a dramatic improvement over its dreary predecessor, praising comfortable, composed suspension that smooths bumpy roads effectively even if outright handling trails the Ford Puma and Seat Arona. They flagged a four-star rather than five-star Euro NCAP rating as a genuine mark against it, citing the absence of a centre airbag and weaker cyclist detection in the automatic braking system.
🎬 Watch: What Car?'s Vauxhall Mokka review (same video, watch above ↗)
Trims & Engines at a Glance
Any trim can be paired with any powertrain — petrol, hybrid or electric — while the range-topping GSE hot SUV is a standalone electric performance model.
| Derivative | Engine | Power | Transmission | Body | 0–62mph |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mokka 1.2 Turbo Design / GS / Ultimate | 1.2L 3-cyl turbo petrol, FWD | 134bhp | 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic | SUV | 8.9s |
| Mokka Hybrid Design / GS / Ultimate | 1.2L 3-cyl mild-hybrid turbo petrol, FWD | 136bhp | 6-speed automatic (e-DCT6) | SUV | 8.2s–9.1s |
| Mokka Electric Design / GS / Ultimate | Single electric motor, FWD | 154bhp | Single-speed automatic | SUV | 9.0s |
| Mokka GSE | Single electric motor, FWD | 277bhp | Single-speed automatic | SUV | 5.9s |
Trim walk runs Design → GS → Ultimate across petrol, hybrid and electric, with a Yes special-edition trim also offered. The Electric's 54kWh battery gives up to 250 miles of range. A handful of exterior colours are offered. Check Vauxhall's UK configurator for current pricing.
Strengths
- Genuinely striking, distinctive styling
- Surprisingly capable and fun GSE performance version
- Comfortable ride that smooths bumpy roads well
- Broad powertrain choice including a genuinely quick electric option
Weak points
- Boot space and rear legroom trail key rivals
- Four-star rather than five-star Euro NCAP rating
- Handling trails the Ford Puma and Seat Arona
- Adjustable lumbar support limited to the top trim
Who It Actually Suits
Buyers who prioritise striking styling over maximum practicality. The GSE is genuinely worth seeking out for anyone who wants surprising performance from an unlikely badge, while families needing more boot space should look at the Skoda Kamiq first.
Common Vauxhall Mokka Parts & Costs
- Vauxhall Mokka Alternator
- Vauxhall Mokka Battery
- Vauxhall Mokka Brake Discs
- Vauxhall Mokka Brake Pads
- Vauxhall Mokka Cabin Air Filter
- Vauxhall Mokka Engine Mount
- Vauxhall Mokka Exhaust System
- Vauxhall Mokka Fog Lights
- Vauxhall Mokka Front Bumper
- Vauxhall Mokka Front Suspension
- Vauxhall Mokka Fuel Pump
- Vauxhall Mokka Grille
- Vauxhall Mokka Headlights
- Vauxhall Mokka Radiator
- Vauxhall Mokka Rear Bumper
- Vauxhall Mokka Rear Shock Absorber
- Vauxhall Mokka Rear Springs
- Vauxhall Mokka Spark Plugs
- Vauxhall Mokka Tail Lights
- Vauxhall Mokka Timing Belt
- Vauxhall Mokka Wing Mirror
More Vauxhall Reviews
Watch the Reviews
Vauxhall Mokka review ↗ (same video, watch above ↗)