When the Opel Mokka first arrived…wait, I can’t really finish this sentence because I can’t really recall it arriving. That speaks volumes, right? It’s not that it wasn’t a great car, it was just a bit forgettable. A bit dull really. Bland. You get the point. But now, this new Mokka is something else in terms of design. Opel is not messing around! If you want to stand out on the road, the new Opel Mokka will do the the trick.
VIZOR WHAT?
One of the most striking elements of the car is the front Vizor. It is a full-face helmut, if you will, that protects the front face of the Mokka. It combines, in one single element, the grille, LED headlights and the new logo with the Opel lightning bolt. The model name is in the centre of the tailgate in a rather specific font and all Mokka models are equipped with LED lights. At the rear, the choice to always have lights with LED technology has allowed the designers to opt for very thin and stretched lights, which reinforces the feeling of precision and quality. It all looks rather dashing!
STEP INSIDE
The interior is as impressive, albeit with a bit of cheap plastic here and there – but that doesn’t usually bother me because, as I have mentioned before, I don’t go around feeling up the dashboard that often. There are two trim levels on offer, the Elegance and the GS Line. A seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system graces the Elegance model while the GS Line boasts a 10-inch screen. Although both are generously specced, it is the GS Line that really shines. It adds a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and leather upholstery with a massage function for the front seats noggal. If you want to play the heated seat game with your passenger, you will be able to in both the Elegance and GS Line models. But Matrix LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, active lane-keep assist and forward-collision avoidance are only on the GS Line. It even has built-in navigation, but now…do we need such a thing anymore? With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wouldn’t you be using Google Maps or Waze? I would be.
ENGINE VIBES
There is one engine offered across both models which is a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine. It puts out 96 kW and 230 Nm and is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. There is no manual option because, well, most buyers in this segment want an auto. It is a rather punchy engine, very responsive, if a touch unrefined. If you put your foot down there is quite a bit of engine noise rumbling in to the cabin. But it is not so much that it will be too bothersome. The fuel consumption is claimed at 6.1l/100km. There is an all-electric Mokka available overseas, it is just a matter of time before we see it on our shores. Hopefully. But I wouldn’t hold your breath.
MOKKA OVERALL
Look, there is no denying that the new Mokka is better, if just in design, than the previous model. It looks smashing! And the drive is super comfortable. But, it is not all that practical. The boot is at a rather small 310-litres. And rear legroom is not amazing, and this is coming from someone who is not exactly on the tall side. It is hard to pin point direct rivals. The pricing structure has made it somewhat tricky. One could look at the Volkswagen T-Cross or even the T-Roc, the Toyota CH-R, the Peugeot 2008 and even the Mazda CX-30. It is going to come down to your needs and wants really. I think the Mokka might be a little too overpriced. You can get yourself a far more spacious mid-spec Kia Sportage for the same price. But I think, that if design is your thing, then you will be hard pressed to find something as daring.
PRICING OF THE NEW MOKKA
The Mokka comes standard with a three-year/120 000 km warranty and a four-year/60 000 km service plan. I can’t help but think that Opel is pulling a bit of a fast one here. It really could extend that warranty to five years. Very few people do 120 000 km in three years and I think they know that.
- Opel Mokka 1.2T Elegance R 469 900
- Opel Mokka 1.2T GS Line R 519 900
