Skip advert
Advertisement

Vauxhall Mokka - Engines, performance and drive

The Vauxhall Mokka impresses around town, but doesn’t offer much in the way of driver involvement

Engines, performance and drive rating

4.0

How we review cars
RRP
£25,105 £31,165
Avg. savings
£3,428 off RRP*
  • Looks great
  • Much improved interior
  • Good fuel economy
  • Tight rear passenger space
  • Uninspiring to drive
  • Pricey
Find your Vauxhall Mokka
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car
Advertisement

The previous-generation Mokka X was not a good car to drive, and while the second-generation Mokka still doesn’t offer as much driver involvement as the Ford Puma, it is a more refined car than before.

We found the Mokka rides best at low speeds around town, where its CMP chassis (shared with Peugeot and Citroen) deals with the worst elements of scarred UK tarmac quite well. The suspension set-up can struggle to remain composed at higher speeds, but overall, the balance will be fine for most drivers.

Our experience with the 128bhp Mokka suggests this engine will be perfectly adequate for most urban journeys, with the eight-speed automatic transmission in particular impressing us at lower speeds. It's easily a match for the dual-clutch set-up of its Volkswagen Group rivals such as the Skoda Kamiq and SEAT Arona

Advertisement - Article continues below

If you start to flex the right foot and push on, you’ll notice the unmistakable growl of the three-cylinder engine. Don’t be fooled into thinking any extra noise will yield an equal increase in performance – the Mokka is not a particularly quick car. Vauxhall has tried its best to accentuate the positive by offering a Sport driving mode, but it doesn’t make any meaningful benefits to the driving experience.

The Mokka Electric EV is much quieter than the petrol versions, and it’s extremely smooth when accelerating off the line. It doesn’t feel as rapid as some electric cars, but it’ll keep up with traffic well enough. You’ll need to engage Sport mode to exploit all its performance potential because power is pegged in Normal and Eco driving modes in a bid to preserve electric range.

0-62mph acceleration and top speed

The entry 99bhp 1.2-litre petrol version manages the 0-62mph sprint in 10.6 seconds, while the more powerful 134bhp manages the same sprint in a brisker 9.1 seconds. The 128bhp eight-speed automatic is just a tenth of a second slower.

The outgoing Mokka Electric (formerly the Mokka-e) has an electric motor producing 134bhp and 260Nm of torque, and manages 0-62mph in 9.2 seconds. However, the higher-output Mokka Electric produces 154bhp and 260Nm of torque from its single electric motor, which should allow for a sub-nine-second 0-62mph time. Both versions of the electric Mokka have the same electronically limited top speed of 93mph.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    1.2 Turbo 136 Design 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • RRP
    £25,105
Select car

Most Economical

  • Name
    1.2 Turbo 136 Design 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • RRP
    £25,105
Select car

Fastest

  • Name
    1.2 Turbo 136 Design 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • RRP
    £25,105
Select car
Online Reviews Editor

Max looks after the reviews on the Auto Express website. He’s been a motoring journalist since 2017 and has written for Autocar, What Car?, Piston Heads, DrivingElectric, Carbuyer, Electrifying, and Good Motoring Magazine.

Our latest car deals

Vauxhall Mokka

Vauxhall Mokka

RRP £25,105Avg. savings £3,428 off RRP*Compare Offers
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £1,676 off RRP*Compare Offers
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £18,595Avg. savings £2,827 off RRP*Compare Offers
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £21,210Avg. savings £1,844 off RRP*Compare Offers
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Plug-in hybrid cars are essentially pointless and in 2025 it’s high time we all accepted that
Opinion - PHEVs

Plug-in hybrid cars are essentially pointless and in 2025 it’s high time we all accepted that

Alex Ingram explains why he believes that PHEVs aren't all they're cracked up to be
Opinion
7 Jan 2025
Volkswagen was the UK’s most popular car brand in 2024, while MG outsold Vauxhall
Volkswagen factory building

Volkswagen was the UK’s most popular car brand in 2024, while MG outsold Vauxhall

New data also reveals that Jeep’s sales figures almost tripled in 2024, however sister brand DS sold less than half as many cars as it did the previou…
News
6 Jan 2025
New Skoda Superb Sleeper Edition review: a rocket ship in disguise
Skoda Superb Sleeper Edition - front

New Skoda Superb Sleeper Edition review: a rocket ship in disguise

It may look like a regular Skoda Superb, but the Sleeper Edition is hiding a 477bhp engine under its bonnet
Road tests
8 Jan 2025