Launch Driving review: Opel Mokka
Opel’s first-ever sub-compact SUV made its South African debut this week, and WOW was there in the rugged regions of the Eastern Cape to share in this exciting experience.
The oddly named, yet encapsulating, Mokka, which has received unprecedented international acclaim in Europe in 2014, is the third of the ‘new Germans’ from Opel (following the Adam and the Corsa) to be launched in South Africa in just three months.
As an avid fan of the Hyundai ix35 (the Mokka’s rival next to the Nissan Juke and Qashqai), it would take a lot to get me to love another compact SUV more, but Opel might have done the trick. When it comes to more specs and comfort for a lesser price, the vehicle still upholds the German brand’s style and versatility. The vehicle’s high levels of quality, driver aids and safety technology place Mokka at a firm position in this segment.
Opel kept the range simple with four models to easily choose from. The buyer has a choice of two trim levels and a choice of a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission with front wheel drive. I can see a lot of buyers opting for the automatic choice in either trim level as it offers a lot more driver comfort for less.
The entry-level Enjoy derivative offers all the necessities for quite a comfortable drive. This trim level includes front and rear fog lights, daytime running lights, a six-speaker audio system with Bluetooth, speed-sensitive power steering with a multi-function steering wheel, USB and aux input, driver armrest, electronic climate control, trip computer, solar-absorbing windscreen, colour-coded door handles, electric and heated side mirrors, power windows with one-touch up and down all-round, a folding key, 17-inch alloy wheels with a full-size steel spare and black cloth upholstery.
The appropriately named Cosmo models offer a few more luxury add-ons to the trim. These include auto windscreen wipers, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, automatic headlights with active high-beam assist, front and rear parking sensors, electric folding mirrors, an eyewear holder, heated front seats, interior ambient lighting, rear privacy glass, 18-inch alloys, leather upholstery, a heated, leather-bound steering wheel, a rear arm rest and a 230V power socket, ideal for charging phones or laptops.
Opel’s 1.4-litre turbocharged ECOTEC petrol engine does duty in all four derivatives. The engine produces 103 kW between 4 900 and 6 000 rpm and a usable 200 N.m of torque between 1850 and 4 900 rpm.
The ride on Opel’s 1.4-litre turbocharged engine is sturdy and I preferred driving the Mokka’s automatic derivative as it offers a smoother drive on the road and it’s notably more comfortable. Even though a lot of critics have mentioned that the car is far behind that of the say, the Nissan Qashqai, the Mokka offers the driving-experience one would expect of a compact SUV. Unfortunately and dissapointingly, South Africa did not get the diesel or 4WD derivatives, but Opel has got its fair reasons for that and the 1.4 models do offer a manageable fuel consumption of between 6l/100km and 7l/100km across all four models.
We drove a few hundred kilos over the period of two days and the drive was effortless, even in the most deserted and pothole-infested parts of the rugged Eastern Cape thanks to features such as stability control which comes standard across the range. Other features which make driving more comfortable are tyre pressure monitoring and cruise control. A rear-view camera is available on the Cosmo models, linked to front and rear parking sensors and dynamic parking assistance lines on the infotainment screen. If you’re an eco-conscious driver, the Mokka does offer EcoFlex drive assist and stop-start drive technology in the Cosmo model. An Intellilink infotainment system is also optional on Enjoy derivatives and standard on Cosmo variants.
Mokka’s compact proportions disguise its spacious interior which is characterised by high levels of standard specification, making Mokka an all-round vehicle where a vast array of lifestyle applications can be easily adapted. And, even though the boot isn’t as big as many of its rivals’, the luggage capacity is 356 litres; with the 60:40 flip and folded rear seats, it goes up to 1371 litres.
The exterior design is stylish with its strong and aggressive stance presented in a compact package, however I’m not sold on the rear exterior. Then again, like the Juke, exterior styling is very much a matter of taste.
As a compact luxury SUV the Opel Mokka straddles the popular and growing SUV B and C segments of the market in South Africa. Available at GM dealers from the end of March, pricing will start at R288 500 for the Mokka Enjoy 1.4T manual – R 298 500 for the Mokka Enjoy 1.4T automatic, R325 500 for the Mokka Cosmo 1.4T manual, and R335 500 for the range-topping Mokka 1.4 T Cosmo automatic.
Opel’s Mokka is aimed at consumers who have active lifestyles and a taste for adventure. It offers a quality alternative to those customers who live urban lifestyles and fully appreciate the high seating position, extra space, versatility and go-anywhere nature of an SUV. The high level of specification in the new Mokka is backed up by an efficient turbocharged petrol engine giving even the entry-level model great driving dynamics.