Vauxhall Mokka

At first glance, the changes are minor. Still, the Mokka is Vauxhall's lifestyle car thanks to its special looks. While other models are blatantly designed for the widest possible target group, the Mokka should appeal to connoisseurs. With the Mokka, Vauxhall shows more daring and its character is more pronounced.

From the 2025 model year onwards, the emphasis is slightly more on width rather than height as the air intake (visually) now runs across the full width of the car. The Vauxhall logo will now be in black on the black "Vizor". In addition, accents that were previously in chrome on the GS version driven here are black, which also contributes to a more balanced look. The new colour shown here ("Tropikal Green") provides much-needed flair.

Space and equipment

The Mokka holds the middle ground between an SUV and a hatchback and is therefore higher than an average  car, but lower than an off-road vehicle. Its entry level is therefore also just a little higher than average. Because the Mokka is meant to be a lifestyle car, form prevaled over function. The space in the back seat is therefore moderate, that in the front is still fine. Seat and dashboard upholstery now consists of a higher percentage of eco-friendly materials. To reduce CO2 emissions during production, the leather is now vegan.

The dashboard is sleek thanks to the so-called "Pure Panel", in which a large display extends from behind the steering wheel to halfway down the dashboard. The heart of the steering wheel now has a rectangular shape and, together with the new centre console, the cabin now forms a more harmonious whole. All the lines are simple and the look is calm.

To maintain that calmness, the number of buttons is minimal and most functions are controlled via the central display. That system is now more responsive thanks to a new CPU. The smart, voice-activated assistant can now relay tricky questions to ChatGPT. However, ChatGPT's parent company (Open AI) is not known for its respect for privacy. Therefore, Vauxhall provides a "privacy mode" for those who do not appreciate this listening-in sage. That's the way it should be!

Petrol, hybrid or electric

Some car manufacturers offer separate electric and non-electric cars. Vauxhall, on the contrary, wants to make electric driving common, which is why all models are available with petrol, hybrid or electric engines. The chosen powertrain does not affect the appearance of the car.

For the Mokka, this is true: whichever engine is chosen, the handling is not half as special as the looks. With the hybrid drive (136 hp / 230 Nm), the Mokka is tame and restrained. The performance is just enough to make driving easy and comfortable. What is particularly noticeable is the quietness with which the Mokka Hybrid performs, because for a car in this segment, the sounds of the engine, tyres and driving wind are very low.

The electric Mokka shows equally little character, but with its whisper-quiet running and extreme smoothness, it is clearly the most modern variant. To minimise the difference with a familiar petrol engine, the electric Mokka does not offer flashy fast acceleration and can hardly regenerate energy by releasing the accelerator. For those experienced in electric driving, this is a disadvantage, as much energy can be recovered by engine braking. Despite this, test consumption on a simple route under favourable weather conditions, but with frequent use of the sport mode, came to 14 kWh per 100 km, which is exemplary.

For those making the switch to electric driving for the first time, the limited engine braking can lower the threshold. Partly with the "switchers" in mind, the Mokka has a large driving range (over 400 km) thanks to an updated powertrain. Those with experience of electric driving know that this is actually too much, as one does not often travel such a long distance and will recharge during every stop, so the battery is rarely empty on departure.

Handling

In part due to the heavy battery, the electric Mokka feels much heavier than the hybrid. Thereby, Vauxhall opts for a relatively soft suspension and this, together with the high build, causes the Mokka to lean slightly when cornering. The Mokka is therefore not sporty or dynamic, but it is very comfortable.

In addition, the Mokka does not invite play and therefore the car is fool proof. Its compact size ensures that the Mokka is easily manageable in the city.

Conclusion

Is the updated Vauxhall Mokka even tastier than before? Yes, but the differences are slight. Vauxhall has mainly made sure that the Mokka fits in better with the other models. Less noticeable, but still very valuable, is the use of more eco-friendly materials.

The Mokka has been modernised to be more competitive. The electric-powered Mokka is more economical thanks to a new battery and electric motor. As a result, its range has also increased. All variants feature a new infotainment system with smart assistant (including privacy mode!) and extensive safety features.

With modifications for model year 2025, the Mokka not only distinguishes itself better from the competition, but also from Vauxhall's own offerings. The recently introduced Frontera is the functional family car, the Grandland the company car and the Mokka even more than before the gourmet model.