Vauxhall Mokka review

Our opinion on the Vauxhall Mokka

The small SUV class is a busy sector, but the Vauxhall Mokka has the sharp looks to help it stand out from the crowd. Its kerbside appeal is maintained inside, where the interior offers twin displays and on-board tech that’s easy enough to get along with.

Revisions were made for 2025, but while no individual update was of particular note, the combined changes have helped to make the Mokka even easier to live with. One highlight is the arrival of the latest mild-hybrid powertrain, which offers a good mix of performance and ease of use that makes it our pick of the line-up. There are petrol manual and fully electric options, too, but whichever version you choose, the Mokka is reasonably efficient and practical enough for small families. However, the all-electric model does look a little pricey when compared with the ICE versions, not to mention a number of more affordable EVs that have arrived on the market.

About the Vauxhall Mokka

While cars such as the Corsa and Astra are forever linked with the Vauxhall brand, it’s the Mokka that accounts for a large number of sales today. Available in electric petrol and hybrid guise, this small SUV is a regular feature in the top 10 of the UK’s monthly new-car sales charts.

Used - available now

2023 Vauxhall

Mokka

32,606 milesAutomaticPetrol1.2L

Cash £15,991

View Mokka

2022 Vauxhall

Mokka

23,715 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £15,006

View Mokka

2016 Vauxhall

Mokka

39,825 milesAutomaticPetrol1.4L

Cash £8,900

View Mokka

2019 Vauxhall

Mokka

40,269 milesManualPetrol1.4L

Cash £10,130

View Mokka

The second-generation Mokka arrived in 2021, and for 2025 a range of updates was made to help the car remain competitive in the small SUV class. On the outside, this included deleting most of the chrome trim, reprofiling the front bumper and adding a new tail-light signature, while fresh paints were added to the palette. Inside, all models now come with a 10-inch central touchscreen and 10-inch instrument binnacle, there’s a new steering wheel design, while the dashboard layout has been revised with fewer buttons, although the physical climate controls have been retained.

Prices for the Mokka start from around £25,750, which gets you behind the wheel of a 1.2-litre petrol in Griffin trim. This special edition is actually better equipped than the Design spec, which is only around £100 more, while the mid-rage GS starts from just over £27,000. Add around £1,300 if you want to upgrade to the top-spec Ultimate model.

These prices are for the standard 1.2 Turbo petrol manual, while adding an automatic gearbox costs around £1,700 extra. The more powerful, auto-only Mokka Hybrid starts from around £28,500, while the all-electric version has a starting price of £32,500. As with most other small SUVs, the Mokka is front-wheel drive only, since it’s based on the same platform and running gear as the Corsa.

Vauxhall Mokka prices and latest deals 

The 2025 update for the Vauxhall Mokka introduced a new 143bhp hybrid powertrain to the line-up as a replacement for the Mokka diesel, which is no longer offered. This sits as a bridge between the standard petrol and the fully electric model, and is based on the same 1.2-litre PureTech turbocharged three-cylinder unit as the standard combustion-engined car, but adds 48-volt tech to the mix.

The hybrid comes with a six-speed twin-clutch automatic gearbox, while the standard petrol has the option of six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearboxes, and the electric model is a single-speed auto. Under the skin, the Mokka uses the Stellantis CMP platform that was originally developed by PSA Peugeot Citroen, and all cars send power to the front wheels.

Performance, 0-60mph acceleration and top speed

The slowest model in the Vauxhall Mokka line-up is the all-electric version. While it has the most power on tap, with 154bhp, it has to haul around 1,540kg, with the weight of that 54kWh battery adding 253kg when compared with the next heaviest model in the line-up. A 0-62mph time of nine seconds exactly is quoted for the Mokka Electric, while its top speed is limited to 93mph.

The combustion-engined cars are similar to each other when it comes to power and performance. The 134bhp 1.2 Turbo manages 0-62mph in 8.9 seconds, while the less powerful 128bhp automatic version manages the sprint in the same time. The Mokka Hybrid has 143bhp and covers the benchmark in 8.2 seconds. There’s a top speed of 126mph for the 1.2 Turbo auto, while the other two models max out at 129mph.

Town driving, visibility and parking

Around town, the Mokka is a decent performer, although engine choice does have an impact on how well the car drives. The basic petrol unit has enough performance and delivers it with a sporty three-cylinder growl, but the gearshift isn’t positive enough for drivers to feel connected to the car. Things are poorer for the automatic model, because power has been pegged back and the sluggish responses from the self-shifter mean the Mokka can feel hesitant when power is needed - on the approach to a roundabout, for example.

Far better is the Mokka Hybrid, because the 48-volt system gives an instant kick of energy that fills the power band before the petrol engine gets up to speed. This helps to smooth the driving experience, and means faster responses when they’re needed. It also has a smoother gearbox, with the six-speed twin-clutch unit offering slick shifts throughout the range.

In the electric model, the weight of the drive battery boosts the car’s ride, helping it to smooth out bumps even more so than in the combustion-engined cars. Add in a responsive throttle, and it feels quite eager at urban speeds.

The Mokka Electric is much quieter than the petrol versions, too, and it’s extremely smooth when accelerating off the line. It doesn’t feel as rapid as some electric cars, but it’ll keep up with traffic well enough. You’ll need to engage Sport mode to exploit all its performance potential, because power is pegged in Normal and Eco driving modes in a bid to preserve electric range.

All cars are compact in size, so they’re easy to manoeuvre, although it’s only the top-spec Ultimate trim that comes with front and rear parking sensors - the rest of the range has to make do with rear sensors only.

B-road driving and handling

Pick up the pace, and the Mokka delivers a driving experience that’s competent, but doesn’t really urge you to press on. There’s enough grip from the chassis, and the ride is largely comfortable, but there’s plenty of lean in corners, and while the steering is well weighted, it doesn’t offer much feedback.

The EV doesn’t feel dramatically different, but the smooth power delivery and instant torque is punchy enough out of tight corners. The weight penalty (there’s a 321kg difference between the EV and the lightest 1.2 Turbo petrol) doesn’t seem to have much bearing on the driving experience, either. 

The easily accessible ‘B’ mode on the Electric’s drive selector ramps up the regenerative braking, and while it won’t bring the car to a complete stop, it’s strong enough to reduce dependence on the left pedal in town. Turn it off on faster roads, and it’ll still feed energy back into the battery when coasting, albeit with significantly less aggression for a smoother experience for passengers. 

Motorway driving and long-distance comfort

At the national limit, the Mokka struggles a bit to keep things calm, thanks to suspension that reacts quite sharply to bumps in the road. Hit an expansion joint, and the car will bob up on its springs and dampers as they struggle to absorb the impact. Find a smooth piece of tarmac and the Mokka is fine, with minimal road or wind noise, while the petrol engines are fairly hushed, too.

The EV’s 154bhp electric motor lacks that instant shove on the move at higher speeds when the traffic in front clears and you want to accelerate, say, from 50-70mph. Range will take a hit if you sit at the national speed limit for long periods, too.

"The Mokka Hybrid model is a great stop gap between the petrol and fully electric versions for buyers who are yet to be convinced that electrification is for them. It delivers the same smooth responses as the electric model, eliminating the patchy power delivery of the petrol – especially in auto guise – and has a decent turn of speed, too." – Dean Gibson, senior test editor

While the petrol Mokka offers a low entry price and decent claimed fuel economy, there are benefits to be had with paying extra to upgrade to the Hybrid. In the petrol manual, we found that the stop-start system was very reluctant to activate, and changing settings – such as switching off the air-conditioning – didn’t seem to alter this. With the Hybrid, the 48-volt system proactively engaged when we came to a stop, boosting efficiency in the process.

We saw returns of around 44mpg in the manual model, but the Hybrid improved on this with a return of 47.2mpg. However, it’s worth noting that the Hybrid model has a smaller 42-litre fuel tank, compared with a 44-litre reservoir for the petrol. Based on our numbers, that means the Hybrid only has an extra 10 miles of range over the petrol variant.

Electric range, battery life and charge time - subhead H3

The Vauxhall’s 100kW peak charging speed means that while a zero to 80 per cent top-up should take just 30 minutes, it lags behind newer models such as the Kia EV3 (150kW) and Skoda Elroq (175kW). The Mokka’s 54kWh (51kWh usable) battery will easily charge to full on a 7kW home wallbox overnight in around 7.5 hours.

If you’re interested in the EV, then just be aware of how the cold weather can affect efficiency. We tested the latest Mokka Electric on a cool (five to seven degrees ambient temperature, occasionally rainy) day, returning efficiency of around 3.7-3.8mi/kWh. That translates to about 190 miles of range (versus an official rating of 249 miles), or a little less if you’re sitting at a constant 70mph on the motorway. The optional £400 heat pump is a worthwhile addition, because it provides a more efficient way of heating the car up in cold weather. Ultimately, though, it’s probably best to treat the Mokka as a capable urban runaround that’s suited to an occasional long run should the need arise.

Insurance groups

Group ratings range from 21 to 24 for the Mokka, but the cheapest models aren’t in the lowest groupings, because they don’t come with an alarm as standard. Central locking is included on all models, while you have to upgrade to the Ultimate model for the full suite of safety and security technology. Unlike some rival models that offer petrol and electric variants, there’s no jump in group rating between power sources.

Tax

No version of the Mokka breaches the £40,000 list-price mark, so road tax is the same, currently at £195, for every powertrain option now that EVs pay VED at the same rate as combustion-engined models.

The petrol versions will be the priciest option for business users, even though they have the lowest list prices. The Hybrid offers meagre savings of around £100 a year for 20 per cent taxpayers, so it’s the all-electric Mokka that makes the most sense, with Benefit-in-Kind costs in the £200-£230 range, compared with £1,500-£1,800 for the Hybrid.

Depreciation

With large sales volumes counting against it, the Mokka’s residual values aren’t the greatest on the market. The standard petrol ranges between 44-46 per cent, while the Hybrid is concentrated in the 44 per cent bracket. These two perform better than the electric version, though, which has poor residuals in the 33-34 per cent range.

To get an accurate valuation for a specific model, check out our free car valuation tool... 

Vauxhall’s Vizor grille design was a breath of fresh air when it was introduced with the Mokka in 2021. For this year’s update, the manufacturer largely left the front end alone, aside from the addition of a revised bumper design, while at the rear, the slender tail-lights have a refreshed signature.

Interior and dashboard design

The Mokka Mk2 introduced a simplified layout when compared with the previous generation. The 2025 update saw all models come with a pair of 10-inch screens, while the gloss-black trim of the pre-facelift model has been replaced by more scratch-resistant brushed silver-effect trim. 

One positive is that the Mokka features separate climate controls in a panel below the central air vents, so you don’t have to dive into the touchscreen to adjust settings. However, one slight quirk is that both outside rotary knobs can adjust the temperature (there’s no dual-zone option anywhere in the range), while the cabin temperature is only shown in the top left of the main touchscreen.

Materials and build quality 

Replacing the gloss-black trim on the centre console around the drive selector with a brushed-silver finish will help with the durability of the Mokka’s interior, which should keep it looking its best for longer. Elsewhere in the cabin there are plenty of hard plastics, but there are different materials used that help to break up the generally grey look to the interior.

Infotainment, sat-nav and stereo

All versions of the Mokka come with a 10-inch touchscreen and 10-inch digital driver’s display as part of the firm’s Pure Panel layout. This is designed so that the two displays line up side by side to look like one large screen that stretches across the width of the dashboard. However, only the top-spec Ultimate trim has sat-nav included – wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available on lower specifications, though.

The central screen can be set to display large shortcut buttons for the various sub-menus, but the secondary displays require you to scroll through lists to find everything you need, which isn’t ideal when you’re on the move. A physical home button below the screen is useful, while the top bar brings up vehicle settings.

The screens are sharp and easy to read, while the driver’s display has different configurations via a press of a button. One thing we’d like to see is the trip information on permanent display on the screen, rather than have it disappear after a few seconds.

“As with most new cars, you can set up a driver profile in the Mokka that can load your favourite settings every time you get behind the wheel. One highlight is the range of avatars that are available to choose from to personalise your experience. The pop art-style images are a snapshot of some of Vauxhall and Opel’s greatest hits, so you can either choose an image of the Mokka, or pick from icons such as the classic Nova or original Opel GT and Manta coupés, plus a selection of long-forgotten concept cars." – Dean Gibson, senior test editor

Compact dimensions benefit the Mokka’s manoeuvrability, especially in town. But the downside is a relative lack of space when compared with some small SUV rivals.

Dimensions and size

The latest Mokka measures 4,151mm in length and 1,791mm across (not including mirrors). In comparison, the Ford Puma – already one of the shortest supermini-sized small SUVs – measures 4,207mm nose-to-tail and 1,805mm wide.

Driving position, seats & space in the front

One area where the Mokka doesn’t suffer any compromise is with the space for occupants up front. There’s plenty of elbow room and a wide range of seat and steering-wheel adjustment available to get a decent driving position, while the seats themselves are comfortable. 

Storage is compromised a little by the Mokka’s relative width. The door bins are narrow, but with enough space at the front of the pockets for a drinks bottle to fit, while the bin under the sliding armrest is on the small side. There are twin cup-holders ahead of this, while the stubby drive selector used by automatic models helps to declutter the dashboard. There’s a decent shelf beneath the climate controls, which is where you’ll find Vauxhall’s trademark ‘shark’ design motif.

Seats & space in the back

It’s in the back where the Mokka feels the most compromised. The rear seat isn’t very wide – there are three seatbelts, but shoulder room will be tight, and the central seatback isn’t broad enough to contain a fold-down armrest within. The front seat backs are soft and feature deep cutouts for your knees, and while headroom is fine, the thick C-pillars and small windows make it feel hemmed in.

Storage space is also tight, with half-sized door bins, but there are map pockets on the backs of the front seats and a pair of USB sockets at the base of the central armrest.

Boot space

The 350-litre boot is big enough for the weekly shop, and offers more space than a Corsa supermini (305 litres). The Mokka’s boot is identical for both the petrol and Hybrid models, but the electric version is  compromised by its drive battery, so only has 310 litres of space. The load lip is a little high, although the deep floor means there’s no risk of items falling out when the boot is opened.

Towing

Maximum towing weight for the petrol Mokka is rated at 1,200kg, which is good enough to be able to haul a trailer or small caravan. The electric version isn’t rated to pull anything.

For greater towing capacity in a small SUV, look at the Volkswagen T-Roc, which can haul up to 1,500kg.

“For those that are unfamiliar, the first challenge is to open the Mokka’s tailgate. The button release is in the middle of the number plate recess lower down in the bumper, so you have to pop that before moving to the tailgate handle to lift it open. It’s a bit fiddly when most rivals have an all-in-one solution where the button is part of the handle.” – Dean Gibson, senior test editor 

The Vauxhall Mokka placed 18th out of 50 cars in the 2025 Driver Power survey, with owners praising its low running costs, exterior design and the performance of its powertrains. As for downsides, owners criticised the car’s practicality, while the safety systems only earned an average score.

The Vauxhall brand came in 26th out of 32 manufacturers in the 2024 Driver Power rankings, with owners praising economy and running costs, but having grumbles with pretty much every other area.

Euro NCAP awarded the Mokka a four out of five-star safety rating, with concerns raised about the protection of the driver's chest and legs in a frontal impact, not having a central airbag to prevent the front seat occupants from colliding with each other in a side impact, poor neck protection for children seated in the back, plus its automatic emergency braking (AEB) not recognising cyclists.

Standard safety kit includes LED headlights, rear parking sensors, lane-departure warning and speed-limit assist, while autonomous emergency braking and driver-tiredness alert are also included. Vauxhall includes a handy shortcut button on the dashboard that provides instant access to the driver-assistance tech, although some settings, such as the speed-limit warning, will have to be updated every time you drive.

Adaptive cruise control comes with the top-of-the-range Ultimate, as well as blind spot monitoring – all of which feature as standard on the entry-level VW T-Cross.

Best buy: Vauxhall Mokka 1.2 Hybrid Ultimate

The Hybrid is an effective stop gap between pure petrol and full EV, with an effective stop-start system and decent fuel economy. Choosing Ultimate spec means you get a generous kit list that includes some useful additional safety features.

The Mokka features Vauxhall’s standard three-year/60,000-mile warranty, while extended cover is available at extra cost.

The Mokka Electric has a separate eight-year or 100,000-mile policy for the battery pack. If the battery’s usable capacity drops below 70 per cent during that time, Vauxhall will replace it for free.

The service schedule for the Mokka is every 12,500 miles or annually, whichever comes first, and Vauxhall offers fixed-price service plans under its Flexcare banner. These start from around £13 a month for electric models, while petrol and hybrid cars start from around £20 per month. Both can be combined with any finance package that you might take out.

The Mokka Electric needs an initial service after one year or 8,000 miles, whichever comes soonest, then it’ll need to be serviced every two years or 16,000 miles from that point onwards.

Vauxhall Mokka alternatives

There has perhaps been a slight image problem over recent years for many Griffin-badged cars, so it’s encouraging to see Vauxhall focusing on a clear approach to its future design and attempting to raise levels of perceived quality, especially because the Mokka rivals the likes of the Ford Puma, Hyundai Kona, Renault Captur, Skoda Kamiq and Nissan Juke in the hotly contested small SUV segment.

Electric rivals are coming in thick and fast, too. The Puma is offered as the electric Puma Gen-E, while the Hyundai Kona Electric has been available with a zero-emissions powertrain since 2018. Other electric rivals include the mechanically similar Peugeot E-2008 and Citroen e-C4, as well as the Kia EV3 and Skoda Elroq.

Deals on the Vauxhall Mokka and alternatives

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Pictures of the Vauxhall Mokka

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