We review the Vauxhall Mokka from price to economy and all its features
VAUXHALL are hoping a Mokka is about to become as regular an order for car buyers as it is for coffee drinkers.
Motorists love a new flavour and the Mokka is aimed at the fast-growing baby SUV sector.
Vauxhall Mokka ... firm joins the boom of small SUVs
The model — based on the new Corsa chassis — goes on sale in November priced from £15,995.
The baby boom has been led by the phenomenal success of the British-built Nissan Qashqai and Juke.
Sales of these and rival models are doing well because they don’t come with the high price and sky-high fuel bills of a big SUV but have the macho image and high seating position.
And there’s a host of new models on the way with Fiat adding a 500X to their 500 line-up next year. Renault will also join the battle in 2013 with a version based on the Captur concept.
Ford will wait until 2014 before they put their EcoSport out in the UK and Honda’s version, based on the Civic, will go on sale in 2013/14.
Even the premium brands are joining in. Audi look to add a dinky Q2 model in 2014 alongside their big-selling Q3 and Mercedes plan a new GLC SUV based on the A-Class due in 2014.
Road Test: Vauxhall Mokka
AFTER a day driving a camouflaged pre-production Mokka, I can tell dealers they need to prepare for a flood of orders.
Because this is a Vauxhall capable of giving Nissan a serious run for its money.
The Mokka looks even chunkier in the metal and it may be compact in size — 4.28 metres — but it’s a Vauxhall with a lot of road presence.
Female buyers will love the high-up seating position and the fact that the Mokka is as easy to drive as a supermini.
But around a demanding test circuit, including winding country roads, a city road track and a high-speed bowl, it displayed a sporting side that also makes it an entertaining car to drive.
Buyers will get the choice of a 1.4 turbo and 1.6litre petrol and 1.7litre turbo diesel that all deliver more than useful performance and between 44 and 60mpg.
I tested the 1.4litre turbo petrol that features in the Astra, and it’s a lively unit that has rapid acceleration and can cruise all day at speeds well in excess of the motorway speed limit.
You also get the option of two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. I did a brief drive on gravel in all-wheel drive mode and, with extra ground clearance, the Mokka is competent to cope with British winters.
Chief engineer Gerry Baker says the Mokka’s suspension and electronic power steering has been tuned for British roads to give a balance to suit a diverse range of drivers, from mums on the school run to SUV drivers with a sense of adventure.
It’s a very relaxing and easy drive, the steering is precise and responsive, while the ride was smooth and yet still had a sporty feel to it.
I liked the fact that the Mokka is geared to real family buyers and has genuine space, up to 1,372litres with the rear seats folded, plus 19 storage points dotted around the cabin for all the clutter of kids.
And with the nation gripped by bike mania after our successes in the Olympics, the Mokka offers a fully integrated flex bicyle carrier that is fitted in the rear underbody and can carry three bikes.
The Mokka will come with lots of equipment and a cabin with many of the design cues of the Astra and Insignia.
Which is why prices are at the higher end of rivals like the Juke, starting at £15,995 for the 1.6litre, with the best selling Exclusive from £16,995 and going up to £23,490 for the all-wheel drive 1.7litre turbo diesel.
The Rivals
1. Ford Ecosport
IT’S based on a Ford Fiesta but the EcoSport has been seriously working out at the gym and it will be a genuine all-wheel-drive.
Looks tremendous and gets Ford’s revolutionary one-litre Ecoboost petrol engine that has the power of a 1.6 litre and returns more than 50mpg. On sale in India and Asia, we’ll have to wait until 2014 before the Ecosport arrives.
2. Renault Captur
THIS will be built on the same platform as the Nissan Juke – and Renault will be very happy if it’s as big a success.
It will also share the same economical diesel and petrol engines. But the good news for Renault is that the Captur concept looks a lot better than the Juke, and the production version is better still.
On sale next year from £13,500.
3. Fiat 500X
X is set to mark the spot for Fiat’s plans to further extend the 500 range and give the boys a motor they’ll be happy to be seen in.
The 500X will be offered in both 2WD or 4WD because Fiat already have expertise in all-wheel-drive with the Panda. But it will share the 500’s economical engines.
On sale next year from £14,000.
4. Nissan Qashqai
NISSAN changed the face of conventional family hatchbacks when they brought out the Qashqai as a very different alternative.
It’s now a regular top ten seller in the UK and a monster sales hit across Europe. Nissan quickly followed it up with the Juke at the lower end of the sector. The Qashqai is still the model to beat.
5. Mini Countryman
The maxi-sized Mini Countryman has split opinion but the fact is it’s a worldwide smash hit.
People either love or hate the macho styling but everyone agrees it’s great to finally have a Mini that can seat four adults in comfort with space for their luggage. Not cheap from £16,510 but it has the best re-sale values.