Vauxhall Mokka - Interior, design and technology

The second-generation Mokka ushered in a new approach to design for Vauxhall, because it introduced the ‘Vauxhall Vizor’ grille design. It's also been added to some of Vauxhall's existing models, like the Crossland and Grandland SUVs as part of their mid-life facelifts. 

Taking cues from the Opel GT X Experimental concept, released in 2018, the Mokka employs much of that car’s front-end design, with an all-new grille, ultra-slim LED daytime running lights and more prominent badging.

Inside, the materials used are a definite step up from the previous-gen Mokka, with piano-black and carbon-fibre effect trim throughout the cabin and not so much use of the cheaper, harder plastics that you might associate with a small Vauxhall. The standard Jade White paint looks smart enough, but if you really want to stand out and can afford around an extra £700, then the vivid Mamba Green, Power Red or Voltaic Blue exterior colours might be more appealing.

Vauxhall has revised the Mokka's trim structure several times since it launched. The petrol-powered version is offered in three specifications – Design, GS, and Ultimate. However, the Mokka Electric is only available in Design and GS at the time of writing.

Equipment levels are generous, with the base Design model receiving 16-inch alloy wheels, air-con, automatic lights and wipers, a seven-inch central touchscreen and a seven-inch instrument panel, plus DAB radio, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

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The GS trim is our favourite in the range – not because it adds flashes of red to lift the both the exterior look and the cabin ambience – but because it comes with a larger 10-inch touchscreen, a 12-inch digital instrument display, sat-nav, rear-view camera and heated steering wheel.

The top-of-the-range Ultimate trim includes matrix LED headlights, a wireless charging pad for your smartphone, heated front seats, electric folding side mirrors, adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

Vauxhall has named its onboard tech set-up ‘Pure Panel’, with the intended effect being to create the look of one continuous digital display. Base models feature two seven-inch displays, while top-spec models get a 10-inch central touchscreen and 12-inch digital driver's display.

During our testing, we found that the Mokka’s tech is far from perfect. The user interface is a little fiddly compared with the easy-to-use interface found in the Hyundai Kona. We noted that inputting a postcode into the sat-nav system takes more steps than is necessary. Loading times aren’t great either, and the built-in nav display doesn’t use the full screen, leaving black bars on either side. We much prefer bypassing Vauxhall's software by using Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, which, thankfully, is standard on all Mokkas.