Vauxhall

Mokka/Mokka GSE

This Mokka was Vauxhall’s first venture into the compact SUV segment but now the carmaker has really raised the bar with an all-electric, performance-based Mokka GSE version.

The good

Handling, equipment and performance

The bad

Range and refinement

Tech Specs

Price from

£26,545

Combined Fuel up to

65.7mpg (Mokka GSE has209 miles of range)

0-62 from

5.9 seconds

max speed up to

125mph

co2 from

114g/km (0g/km Mokka GSE)

Test Drive

Vauxhall Mokka GSE – first Drive (2026)

The Mokka GSE has kick-started Vauxhall’s hot electrification strategy, offering sports car-like performance, wrapped up in a practical family SUV package. It’s not perfect, but it shows an exciting future for the Stellantis-owned brand.

The Vauxhall Mokka has never been a car that you aspire to own, on account of its rather ‘boring’ image and lacklustre appeal. But, hold that thought, because 14 years after the original car was launched, Vauxhall is now taking this family-friendly crossover to the next level with the Mokka GSE – a performance-focused derivative set to take on the Abarth 600e and Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce.

Vauxhall GSE stands for ‘Grand Sport Electric’ and will be the badge that will be used on the company’s hot electric models, and the Mokka is the first of a new breed of cars from the brand.

To add to the Mokka’s rather frumpy image, the GSE livens up the profile with a two-tone contrasting roof, bi-colour alloy wheels with yellow brake callipers, a gloss black sports bumper, GSE side badging and beefy alloy wheels.

Underneath, the chassis has been stiffened, there are larger brake discs, a mechanical limited-slip differential, a new steering rack and model-specific tyres. The cabin is much more driver-focused with black Alcantara performance bucket seats with integrated headrests, yellow stitching and aluminium-effect pedals.

The main focal points of the cabin are dual 10-inch screens positioned behind a curved panel, while the infotainment system offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring and an in-built satellite navigation system with EV route mapping.

The Mokka GSE is powered by a 54kWh battery pack with an electric motor that achieves a claimed 209 miles between top-ups. Prices start at £36,995, but all models are eligible for the government’s Electric Car Grant incentive which will slash £1,500 off the car’s price, taking the cost down to £35,495.

Behind the wheel, the car’s 277bhp and 345Nm powertrain really comes into force. Power is sent to the front wheels while the mechanical limited-slip differential does a great job of controlling the power through the corners. Acceleration is blisteringly quick, while the car’s 0-62mph time of 5.9 seconds and 124mph top speed make this a very exhilarating hot crossover.

It sits 10mm lower than a standard Mokka which means the centre of gravity is lower and that makes it grip well in the corners, while the updated steering rack makes turn-in much more responsive. However, drive with a little bit of enthusiasm and that claimed 209-mile range soon gets churned up, which really questions its overall efficiency.

There are drive modes called Eco, Normal and Sport which can differ power outputs. In Eco, the top speed is reduced to 93mph and power is cut back to 188bhp and 300Nm of torque. Additionally, Sport mode gives the full 277bhp and 345Nm of torque, for maximum driver engagement.

When it comes to storage and practicality, the Mokka GSE is on par with the standard model. The front offers enough room for a couple of average-sized adults, though back-seat space is better set up for young adults or children. The cabin offers numerous storage options, including a glovebox, two front cup holders, a central cubby, door bins with space for a water bottle, plus a choice of USB-A and USB-C charging ports. The boot packs 310 litres of space, while the 60:40 split-folding rear seats can expand the room to 1,060 litres.

Charging the 54kWh battery pack from zero to 80 per cent will take 30 minutes from a 100kW DC rapid charger; however a 7kW AC home wallbox can top the car up for a much cheaper rate, taking seven hours, 45 minutes and 21 hours, 45 minutes using a domestic plug socket. As an option, the GSE can be specced with an 11kW on-board charger to make topping up at home quicker and more convenient, while a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function is also available, allowing electrical appliances such as a portable fridge or microwave to be plugged in using the car’s battery pack.

The car comes with the latest safety features and driver assist systems, though it’s yet to be crash tested by Euro NCAP. However, the standard Mokka was crash tested in 2021 and was awarded four stars overall and scored well for child occupant protection but was marked down in the pedestrian safety tests.

As standard, the Mokka GSE comes with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty and an eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty on its battery pack, giving owners full peace of mind.

All in all, the Mokka GSE is a promising start for Vauxhall’s hot electric division. It handles well, has impressive performance, looks good and comes with a very driver-focused cabin. It’s not the most practical car in this sector and the range does suffer when driven optimistically, but with price incentives and lots of on-board mechanical upgrades, it shows lots of hope for Vauxhall’s electric future. Only time will tell whether this performance electric crossover will be a sales hit or a marketing flop.

Test Drive

Vauxhall Mokka Elite Nav Premium 1.2 Turbo Auto (2021)

With a fresh bold design, a wealth of technical enhancements, plus a vast choice of engine and trim options, Vauxhall has really upped the ante with its all-new second-generation Mokka.

In fact, it would be fair to say the new five-door Mokka bears virtually no resemblance to the outgoing model (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing) and shows lots of influential design cues from siblings Peugeot and Citroen in the Stellantis stable.

We tested the Mokka powered by a three-cylinder, 1.2-litre turbo petrol model delivering 130PS with 230Nm of torque matched to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. This model, in high-end Elite Nav Premium specification, cost £27,095 and could sprint to 60mph from a standstill in a respectable 9.2 seconds, topping out at 124mph while delivering a combined 47.9mpg with carbon emissions of 137g/km.

New Mokka is very modern and dynamic in its styling and is the second vehicle, after the Crossland, to feature Vauxhall’s new Vizor front end design. This involves a single dark module stretching across the front of the car encompassing the LED headlights and new company Griffin logo. At the back, the Mokka name stretches proudly across the tailgate, with a shorter rear overhang complemented by LED lights.

Our car also boasted a black roof, a black painted rear spoiler, matt chrome skid plates, chrome window trims and 17-inch black alloy wheels.

Moving inside the interior is thoroughly modern in its design with a clutter-free layout and lots of on-board technology to explore. There is Vauxhall’s new Pure Panel layout with fewer switches and two screens – a 12-inch digital display screen and 10-inch touchscreen, along with a separate panel for the climate control.

Creature comforts are plentiful and include a multi-media navigation system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, a six-speaker sound system, DAB radio, Bluetooth and heated front seats.

When it comes to performance, the new Mokka is certainly up for the challenge. The vehicle is shorter and wider in dimension, and has also shed a considerable amount of weight, and that is beneficial to both its handling and fuel efficiency.

The three-pot engine delivers ample power to cruise at 70mph on motorways, although it does get a little raspy under heavier acceleration, and the eight-speed auto transmission is nicely timed. There are steering wheel-mounted paddles for added driver engagement and you can flick through drive modes called Eco, Normal and Sport that alter the behaviour and reactions of the car.

On twisting country lanes, the road holding is confident and there is minimal body movement into tighter bends. One area of vast improvement is the ride quality. You no longer feel all the bumps and dips along the way or need a chiropractor on speed dial.

Comfort levels are very good up front, but as is often the way in small SUV cars, leg room is restricted in the back and the narrow windows may cause issues for anyone who suffers from claustrophobia.

The boot can swallow 350 litres of kit, a limit that increases to 1,105 litres with the split-folding rear seats folded flat And there are door bins with a space for a bottle, seat back pockets, a compact central cubby box, a tiny glovebox and front cup holders.

Although the Mokka has not yet been tested for its latest Euro NCAP safety rating, it is packed with technology to keep occupants and other road users as safe as possible.

Our car was fitted with an Active Drive Assist Plus package as standard that featured forward collision alert, automatic emergency city braking, lane positioning assist, driver drowsiness alert, adaptive cruise control and Vauxhall Connect with e-Call. In addition, the car has hill-start assist, blind spot alert, speed sign recognition and a full suite of airbags.

All in all, the new Vauxhall Mokka is a great improvement on the first generation car which sold really well. Although there is a lot of stiff competition in the compact SUV sector, expect the Mokka to notch up a healthy number of sales.

Test Drive

Vauxhall Mokka X Elite 1.4i Turbo 140PS Start/Stop 4×4

The compact SUV segment is fiercely competitive with manufacturers raising the bar with every new model launch and Vauxhall has done just that with the release of its upgraded Mokka which now gets the X factor.

The Mokka was launched in 2012 and the recent redesign means it is the first in the Vauxhall line-up to receive the ‘X’ rating that will follow on all future crossover models.

Mokka X looks more striking thanks to a completely new front end design featuring square-shaped headlight clusters with L-shaped LED daytime running lights. The lower bumper looks neater and the redesigned grille is also eye-catching.

The test car, in Elite trim, boasted 18-inch alloys, front fog lights, dark tinted rear windows, side protection mouldings and silver-effect roof rails to complete the look.

The interior has been inspired by the award-winning Astra and is less cluttered than before, yet there is still plenty of on-board technology to be explored. Creature comforts include a heated steering wheel, a 7-inch colour touchscreen with Bluetooth and smartphone connectivity, dual zone electronic climate control, heated seats, automatic lights and rain sensors, cruise control with speed limiter and lots more besides.

There was no sat nav on the test car, which is rather surprising on a vehicle costing £25k-plus. However, the company’s excellent OnStar system which connects the driver with a ‘real’ person was included.

Powered by a 1.4-litre 140PS petrol engine, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, the Mokka X can reach 60mph from a standing start in 9.3 seconds and tops out at 116mph. According to official figures it delivers combined fuel economy of 43.5mpg with carbon emissions of 152g/km.

The car can easily accommodate four adults (five at a bit of a squeeze) and comfort levels are high. The elevated driving position results in excellent all round visibility, which is a major plus-point on a car that will often be used to transport children.

The boot can cater for 356 litres of luggage (1,372-litres with the rear seats dropped flat) and there many handy storage areas scattered throughout the vehicle, including a compartment underneath the boot floor, deep door pockets, a glovebox and cup holders.

So on to the performance then. In busy town centres the Mokka X was easy to manoeuvre through congested traffic and the all-round parking sensors and camera made very light work of squeezing into tight spaces. Then out on the faster roads and country lanes, the car accelerated nicely through the six speeds with a constant supply of power on tap. The steering was precise and the road-holding super-grippy with the added reassurance of intelligent four-wheel drive.

I did find there was quite a lot of wind noise at higher speeds which is quite normal in compact SUV models due to their upright shape and my only other slight concern was how easily the vehicle was buffeted by strong gusts when crossing the Severn Bridge. But that aside, the Mokka X, priced at £24,600 (£25,315 with options) was a delight to drive.

Vauxhall has packed the vehicle with safety features including anti-lock brakes, traction control, hill start assist, decent control system, tyre pressure monitoring system, high beam assist and numerous airbags.

The competition in the compact SUV sector is tough with models such as the Mazda CX-3, Renault Captur, Skoda Yeti and Nissan’s Juke and Qashqai all vying for sales, but the new Mokka X is a step up from the original Mokka and will certainly continue to be a strong contender in the segment.

Test Drive

Vauxhall Mokka – first drive

With a name that resembles a trendy, up-market coffee the Vauxhall Mokka is guaranteed to make a stir.

And with a distinctive design, impressive performance stats, excellent economy and a price-tag that will leave you on speaking terms with your bank manager, the car is a sure-fire winner.

The Mokka is Vauxhall’s first venture into the ever-growing and highly-competitive compact SUV segment and although it seems to sit somewhere between the Nissan Juke and Qashqai, it also has rivals such as the Skoda Yeti and Mitsubishi ASX in its sights.

Prices start just shy of £16k and buyers are guaranteed plenty of bang for their bucks as apart from striking looks, the Mokka is generously kitted out with a whole host of top notch on-board features.

With sweeping lines, 18-inch alloys, tinted windows, sleek light clusters incorporating LED running lights, roof rails and an aluminium effect kick plate, the Mokka looks great from any angle and is packed to bursting with SUV characteristics guaranteed to turn heads.

Another external feature certainly worth mentioning is the optional FlexFix bike carrier, priced at £500, which can hold three bicycles and when not in use, tucks away in the rear bumper. But this is not any bike rack as even when fully loaded the boot remains totally accessible.

The Mokka is feature rich in technology and buyers can select from four trim levels – S, Exclusiv, Tech Line and SE and there is plenty of choice in engines, transmissions and either front-wheel or all-wheel-drive variants.

There are two petrol engines – a 1.6 (115PS) which can deliver combined fuel economy of 43.5mpg and has emissions of 153g/km.

The other petrol model is a 1.4 Turbo (140PS) which offers 44.1mpg and CO2 figures of 149g/km – all-wheel-drive is also standard on this particular model.

According to experts at Vauxhall, the diesel model is expected to account for the highest percentage of sales and the 1.7CDTi (130PS) turbocharged model is available with a choice of transmissions and drive systems.

And it was this model in Tech Line spec priced at £17,445 that I put through its paces along German roads. The car’s stats show it averages an impressive 62.8pmpg with emissions as low as 120g/km. It can reach 60mph from a standing start in 10 seconds and tops out at 116mph.

The Mokka was given a big build up and expectations were very high – thankfully it lived up to all the hype and delivered an excellent performance.

The interior is light and spacious with cloth seats that are very comfortable even after a long journey.

Back seat passengers have ample leg, head and elbow space and the generously-sized boot is just one of 19 storage spaces within the Mokka, including twin glove-boxes and double door pockets.

There is a wing-shaped instrument panel and flashes of brushed chrome add to the car’s elegant interior design.

In fact, it would be fair to say the Mokka has quite a premium car feel to it both inside and out.

All the main infotainment features are housed in one neat central stack which makes access to the dual-zone climate control, sat nav and audio system nice and easy.

The car’s six-speed manual transmission was very responsive and the car’s 1.7-litre engine provided ample power on fast motorways and along quieter country roads. The test model featured an ECO mode with automatic stop/start function which was efficient and helps to conserve fuel.

Visibility is excellent thanks to the driver’s high-seated position and the large windows allow light to flood into the cabin creating a bright environment for all occupants.

Road-holding was flawless and if I had to find fault, then there was a little road surface and engine noise when travelling at higher speeds, but hey, what is that sound system for!

Vauxhall has packed a comprehensive list of safety features into the car, including anti-lock brakes, electronic stability programme, traction control, hill start assist, hill descent control, eight airbags as standard and a front camera that detects road signs and warns the driver of the speed limit.

There is a lane departure warning system, adaptive forward lighting and a forward collision alert function that warns the driver if they are getting too close to the vehicle in front. If the driver ignores the warning, the car automatically begins to brake. And, of course the Mokka comes with Vauxhall’s incredible lifetime warranty.

It’s true, the Mokka has entered a fiercely competitive market but it has clearly thrown down the gauntlet to its closest rivals.

For more details visit www.localvauxhall.co.uk