Opel Mokka | Test Drive

9 April 2022 Redazione Tested

OPEL MOKKA

Words Andrea Balti / Photos Gian Romero

The new Opel Mokka overturns the unwritten laws of automotive design implying that with each generation cars have to increase in size, giving birth to one of the most unmistakable crossovers available on the market today. All is new here, nothing in common with the model it replaces (the Mokka X) and despite being based on the EMP1 platform that it shares with the smallest ones of the Stellantis group – as in the case of the little sister Corsa – it has plenty of character thanks to a design which remains faithful to the features that the brand has recently introduced, but also going to draw on the heritage coming from the 70s. We still have the inverted L signature in the optical groups and the vertical slits taken up both on front and rear bumpers, which increase the perception of a more consistent width than it actually is.

The watchword for the new Mokka is practicality. Starting from small dimensions that see the overall length of the car decreasing by 12 centimeters, for a total of 4.1 meters, a width of 1.7 and a height of 1.5 meters, everything is however accentuated by the large 18-inch wheels and a profile that with reduced overhangs gives it that particular image of a big toy car. Incredibly, the load capacity in the trunk remains unchanged (350 liters) and although it does not sit on top of its class, it is more than enough for the vast majority of customers. Those who will have to give up a bit of comfort once on board will be the three rear occupants, this due to the sloping roofline and the fact that the windows do not go down completely. In any case, even a journey of a few hundred kilometers can be tackled with five people on board without no particular anxiety.

With exterior lines that break the monotony of the crossover world, cars devoted to practicality that have now almost completely replaced minivans, the same attention has been paid to the passenger compartment, where thanks to the Opel Cockpit you now have a comfortable driving position which presents two digital screens: the 12” one in front of the driver’s eyes and the one for the multimedia system, 7 or 10 inches. No gearbox stick, but a small lever sunk into the piano black tunnel, right next to the selector for the three different driving modes: Normal, Eco and Sport. Finally, the decision to keep the single-zone climate controls physical and the presence of shortcut keys to act on the infotainment menu becomes way more practical especially with the car moving.

The model of our test is the proverbial top of the range, fitted with a black roof and bonnet in contrast to the Matcha Green of the body and combined with the excellent 8-speed automatic transmission well-known known for its effectiveness and precision even when the engine is cold and logically connected to the front-wheel drive only. The engine is a turbocharged 1.2-liter in-line 3-cylinder with 130 horsepower. It is the ideal choice to make the Mokka bright and agile in any circumstance, with a maximum torque of 230 Nm and a look that completes the essence of a car that really lacks nothing, except for some softer plastic in the passenger compartment. Its 1,200 kilos and a wheelbase of just 2.5 meters make the new Mokka fun to drive even when you decide to squeeze its small but generous engine, without ever reaching fuel consumption that jeopardizes its use at three hundred and sixty degrees. In fact, without paying too much attention on fuel economy, I got an excellent 14 km/l, perfectly in line with what I would have expected and can be improved without worries, in case you adopt a more peaceful driving behavior.

The new Mokka is one of those cars you don’t expect. Designed for families who do not need too much space, but who do not want to give up the practicality of a crossover with a few extra centimeters from the ground, a complete equipment and a wide choice of engines that include a 100 hp petrol (from € 23,550), a 1.5 cc diesel with 110 hp (from € 24,050) and a 100% electric version with 136 hp and 316 km of range (from € 35,250). Guess what? We like it so much, a winning gamble that makes it nice, functional and the currently most interesting model of a brand that we hope will be able to continue on this line of thought thus being able to distinguish itself even further. With prices starting at € 23,550, the 1.2 Turbo petrol is the model that ticks all the boxes, a small car that succeeds in the gigantic feat of shuffling the cards where everyone usually prefers a more conservative attitude. Good job Opel!

OPEL MOKKA 1.2 TURBO

Engine 3 cylinder Turbo, 1.199 cc Power 130 hp @ 5.500 rpm Torque 230 Nm @ 1.750 rpm

Traction Front-Wheel-Drive Transmission 8-Speed Automatic Gearbox Weight 1.220 kg

0-100 kph 9,2 sec Top Speed 200 kph Price from €23.550