Shropshire Star

The Vauxhall Mokka X offers good value for money, but don't expect it to get your heart racing

The Vauxhall Mokka X has received a fresh new look and a more technology, but how does it stack up on the road?

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What’s new?

A fair amount, really. For one, Vauxhall’s made the decision to add an ‘X’ to the end of the Mokka’s name, which will also be used on the firm’s future crossover and SUV models. There’s also a new front end, which lends the Mokka X a far more serious appearance than the rather cutesy look of its predecessor.

Inside, the interior has been subjected to a refresh, too, while new connectivity features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have also been made available. The 1.4-litre ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo petrol engine from the smaller Astra has also been added to the Mokka X line-up, although we tested the less powerful 138bhp 1.4-litre petrol unit.

Looks and image

The aesthetic changes that have been made to the Mokka X are certainly welcome. Where the older model looked something like an over-inflated gerbil, the new model is a lot more visually appealing thanks to a more aggressively-styled front end.

Vauxhall Mokka X
(Vauxhall)

There’s a new dashboard that has been “inspired by the Astra”, which is dominated by a seven-inch touchscreen and does a good job of not feeling overcrowded by a multitude of buttons. However, while the interior might look OK from a distance, up close you can’t help but notice that there are a lot of cheap plastics and unappealing-looking materials used throughout.

Space and practicality

As a family runabout, the Mokka X will prove to be incredibly popular. There’s plenty of space for the front two passengers, and this trend is continued in the back seats, with decent levels of head- and kneeroom.

Two adult passengers will find they fit comfortably enough in the Mokka X’s back seats, although space would become incredibly tight were a third passenger to occupy the middle seat. Children, on the other hand, will easily be able to sit three abreast without any problems.

As far as boot space is concerned, the Mokka X offers up a decent 356 litres – making it larger than the Nissan Juke’s 251-litre boot, but a wee way off the larger Qashqai’s 410-litre boot. Still, it should easily serve the needs of most families.

Behind the wheel

To be brutally honest, the Mokka X isn’t a terribly exciting or engaging car to drive. Sure, it’s good at doing the basics – such as tripping around town or cruising out on the open road – but don’t expect it to get your heart racing.

Vauxhall Mokka X
(Vauxhall)

Thanks to the Mokka X’s relatively compact dimensions, driving in environments where space comes at a premium isn’t too stressful, and the car’s raised driving position means you have a much better view of your surroundings than you might in smaller hatchbacks. Light steering and pedals also mean you won’t find parking and other low-speed manoeuvers too difficult, either.

The 1.4-litre petrol engine is a point of contention, however. Even though its 138bhp and 200Nm should be more than enough to get a car of its size moving, the power is found too high up the rev band, meaning in-gear acceleration is practically non-existent.

Value for money

The Mokka X that we road tested was in the second-from-top Elite specification. Standard equipment on this £23,360 car included 18-inch alloys, DAB radio, dual-zone climate control and Vauxhall’s R 4.0 IntelliLink system, which incorporates Apple Carplay and Android Auto for greater smartphone connectivity. This infotainment system is operated through a seven-inch touchscreen and doesn’t include satellite navigation.

Vauxhall Mokka X
(Vauxhall)

If you opt for the lower Design Nav specification, however, you’ll be able to get your hands on the NAVI 900 IntelliLink infotainment system, which incorporates satellite navigation as well as a larger eight-inch screen as standard. With the same 1.4-litre petrol engine, the Mokka X costs from £18,310 – which makes far more sense to us.

Who would buy one?

The Vauxhall Mokka X will appeal to families in the market for a relatively compact urban runabout that offers the visibility and driving position of larger vehicles. An affordable price tag and a generous level of standard equipment only serve to make the Mokka X a more attractive option as well. While it may not be an exciting car to drive, for the majority of families it will get the job done.

Vauxhall Mokka X
(Vauxhall)

FACTS AT A GLANCE

Model: Vauxhall Mokka X Elite 1.4T 140
Base price: £23,360
Engine tested: 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol
Power: 138bhp
Torque: 200Nm
Max speed: 122mph
0-60mph: 9.3 seconds
MPG: 47.1 combined
Emissions: 140g/km

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