Vauxhall Mokka X
FIRST DRIVE Does added X factor make revised crossover a winner?
Big-selling crossover goes under knife for mid-life facelift
THE Vauxhall Mokka small crossover has been around since the end of 2012, and while it hasn’t won the most glowing critical acclaim in that time, it has certainly been a sales success.
Now Vauxhall has given the car a thorough update. There’s a completely new front-end design, squared-off headlamp clusters featuring ‘eyebrow’ LED daytime running lights, a broad, wing-shaped grille and a much neater lower bumper arrangement. It’s certainly not one of those impossible-to-spot facelifts, and it improves the look of the Mokka considerably.
At the back, the changes are harder to spot; there are new LED signatures in the light clusters and a revised bumper, but the biggest giveaway is the badging. The model is now called the Mokka X, and that single-letter suffix will be applied to all of the brand’s forthcoming SUVS.
Inside, Vauxhall has changed the dashboard and instrument cluster by taking inspiration from the award-winning Astra. To a degree, it has worked; the Mokka X isn’t as button-heavy as before, while the Intellilink touchscreen now comes with Apple Carplay and Android Auto media, and it works well. Onstar connectivity is standard across the range, too.
New drivetrain additions include a 108bhp 1.6-litre CDTI and a range-topping 150bhp 1.4-litre turbo petrol 4x4, but the latter in top-spec Elite trim doesn’t impress that much. With the Mokka X, less is definitely more. Slip into the 138bhp 1.4-litre front-drive manual in the same spec, and you’re in a car that costs a significant £3,000 less and is much better on fuel, with a claimed 47.1mpg.
Also, the dynamic improvements are marked. The ride calms down significantly, while the steering seems sweeter and the engine revs willingly. The six-speed manual transmission is also a lot better to use than the automatic.
What the Mokka X isn’t, though, is a new SUV class leader. It remains a decent machine in many areas, but it’s outstanding in none. The ride and handling aren’t as good as you’d find on some rivals, and while it is priced competitively with decent specification, it can quickly become a very expensive car by adding a few options. The best bets with the Mokka X are the cheaper models at the lower end of the range, because they look large for the cash.