July 17, 2013
New car review: Opel Mokka
Opel are churning out never-before-seen models this year at a fantastic rate. One of the latest releases is the rather cosmopolitan Mokka. But does its overtly bullish styling hide a softer, tamer animal underneath? The VMS expert gives his impressions.
The Mini-SUV segment has begun to bulge with numerous options now available. The Skoda Yeti and Nissan Juke were among the first to provide consumers with a quirkier alternative to hatchbacks and a cheaper solution to larger cross-over vehicles such as the Qashqai. Vehicles in this segment are not likely to be volume sellers but they do play an important role in rounding out the offering from some brands. The trouble is that once every manufacturer jumps on board with their own version of what they think a mini-SUV should be, the more diluted the segment becomes with perfectly fine-but- not-great cars. It then takes a major leap from one manufacturer to reinvigorate the segment and let others play catch-up. The hatchback segment is testament to this competitiveness. For a long time during the early millennium, there was practically no discernible difference between the big brands. Today, while each manufacturer has a great product (and indeed more manufacturers have joined the party since the early noughties) they all focus on providing the customer with a different type of driving experience. It is my opinion that manufacturers in the mini-SUV segment, which is still in its infancy, focus too heavily on ensuring they offer the same experience as their competitors and then trying to slightly better them.
So, how does the Mokka fare against its rivals? Well, for a start it’s an Opel so that means firm suspension and an equally tough chassis. Depending on your requirements, this will either prove to be a major benefit or a feature you won’t even notice. Where I found it to be comforting is through fast bends and roundabouts. Typically, raising the height of a car means the centre of gravity is also raised. Without firm suspension, sharp changes in direction or even moderate changes can have an effect of making the car feel as though it lunges on the outside of the corner. Journalists unscientifically refer to this type of road manners as “wallowy”. The Mokka, however, is not for wallowing. What it does mean is that speed bumps and poorly surfaced roads feel a little harsher than in something with spongier suspension. The trade-off for a firmer ride is worth it though as the Mokka has an acceptable amount of grunt which encourages it to be driven spiritedly.
I’m a fan of the Mokka’s styling. I’ve got a reserved palate when it comes to cars and outlandish shapes or funky designs don’t usually appeal to me. The Mokka is by no means a bore in the aesthetics department but it is curiously mature for such a young car. The interior of my test car was handsomely appointed in tan leather…..everywhere. The seats, the door trim, the gear stick gator (that little bit of fabric around your gear stick is called a gator by the way), the gear knob itself, the front armrests, some of the dash and the steering wheel. Practically everything was finished in high quality leather and but for the fact that I knew I was in a Mini-SUV I might have been fooled into thinking I was in a first class seat on a luxury airliner. If I was a marketing person I would claim that the interior of the Mokka creates a mood of “refined restfulness” but suffice it to say that it’s simply a lovely place to be.
The level of standard specification in the SE model is generous to the point of superfluousness. Adaptive Bi-xenon headlights which illuminate the road as you steer around bends are wonderful in dark housing estates. Parking sensors and Bluetooth are a must on any new car nowadays too. The electrically operated and heated seats were more than appreciated for their work in ridding the chill up my back on very early morning starts and just at the very moment that I laughed at Opel for providing a heated steering wheel I thought about how wearing gloves in a car (something I confess to doing in the Winter) isn’t exactly a sign of a hardened road user either. I do draw the line at rain sensitive windscreen wipers though. They never seem to know how much or how little rain I can comfortably live with being on the windscreen. Besides, the Mokka does almost everything else for you other than drive itself so I feel it’s only fair I pull my own weight by manually operating the wipers.
One area the Mokka does fall a little short is in soundproofing. The cabin allows a little bit of noise in when the engine is higher up the rev range. This impacts on the cohesiveness of the car as the 1.7 CDTi engine is a supremely capable power plant that provides performance on parity with the sophistication of the styling. CO2 is respectably low too at just 124g/Km meaning motor tax (at the time of this article being written) is €270. The Mokka’s prices aren’t altogether objectionable either. Starting at €19995 for the 1.6 petrol S models with Start/Stop and working its way in steady intervals up to €26495 for the 1.7 CDTi SE model, the Mokka comes in at a sensible price point against competitors.
To be totally honest, the Mini-SUV segment is something I still have yet to fully understand. My family members, friends and colleagues seem to “get it”. It’s a smaller version of smaller SUVs. They don’t provide as much space as some hatchbacks but they make up for it in style and a higher and more comfortable seating position. They aren’t too big to park snugly into a boutique shop’s on street car park space and they are a refreshing break from familiar body styles. But, I still struggle to see the point. That said, if Mini-SUVs are your thing, then the Opel Mokka should tick, not only your boxes but, the boxes of your passengers too. For me, the Mokka is a great first attempt at something that has potential to become a pivotal cog in the mix of car sales.
