A MORE FASHIONABLE BREW (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 63

Back in 2020, Vauxhall needed more of a competitive presence in the industry's fastest growing segment, that for small trendy SUVs. And, courtesy of shared Stellantis Group engineering, this second generation Mokka model provided it. There was nothing that changed the class norm here, but the looks were striking. Here, we examine pre-facelift versions of this Mokka B design for the used customer.

Modelsword count: 5

5dr SUV (1.2/Hybrid/EV) [SE,Design,SRi,GS Line,Elite,Ultimate]

Historyword count: 271

Back in 2020, the fresh new face of Vauxhall was showcased by the trendy so-called 'Vauxhall Visor' look of this second generation Mokka SUV. You might remember the Mokka, one of the earlier small crossovers, first introduced in MK1 'Mokka A' form in 2012, then updated and relaunched as the Mokka X in 2016. That early Korean-built design was, to be frank, a pretty mediocre confection but it was an important model for Vauxhall dealers to have in their showrooms and actually sold pretty well. Over 200,000 examples had found UK customers by the time sales petered out in 2019, as the Mokka's place in the range became squeezed between the (smaller) Crossland X and the (larger) Grandland X. Like those two cars - but unlike the original Mokka - the completely different MK2 'Mokka B' design was based on engineering and a platform structure borrowed from fellow Stellantis Group brands, specifically the French ones. A more advanced CMP platform in this case, which meant it was basically the same underneath as a MK2 Peugeot 2008 or a DS 3 Crossback. And that in turn meant that there was also a full-electric version, the Mokka-e (in 2022 re-christened the 'Mokka Electric'). That chassis structure was a good deal more modern than the old PF1 underpinnings that back in 2020 were still sported by Vauxhall's other small SUV from this period in this segment, the fractionally larger, fractionally cheaper but quite a lot less fashionable Crossland model. The MK2 Mokka sold in its original form until mid-2024, when it was significantly facelifted. It's the pre-facelift version though, that we look at here.

What You Getword count: 592

With this second generation Mokka B design, though the name was the same, not much else was shared with the previous model. Not least the way this Vauxhall looked. Out went the anonymous proportions and bland curves of the previous model: in came a confident stance with square-jawed face, sharp lines and interesting details. At the front, the appearance is dominated by the 'Vizor' grille that rings the headlamps, badge and front panel running between the lights. Move in profile and this Mokka is the archetypal modern small crossover, all sweeping creases, colour-coded finishing and big wheels. The rear plays a similar styling trick to the front, making the car look wider than it actually is. The slender, sculpted LED tail lights play a key role, as does the well spaced-out 'Mokka' name that sits above the crease running through the tailgate. If you're switching from the original Mokka, you might think you've skipped a couple of model generations, so different is this cabin. The first thing you'll probably note is what Vauxhall calls the 'Pure Panel', a fascia design that sees the high-mounted central touchscreen and the driver instrument display to the right of it almost bonded together, respectively 10 and 12-inches in size on plusher models (or both 7-inches on cheaper ones), angled towards you and styled to give the impression of one large monitor. Everything else is far more sophisticated than the MK1 design too, particularly in terms of switchgear and trimming - the shiny piano black lower centre console finishing for instance and the smart white double stitching on the doors. Plus despite the sporty exterior looks, there a proper, slightly raised SUV seating position, giving the more commanding feel that crossover customers like. Plus there's reasonable cabin storage space and most of the connectivity features you'll want. In the rear seat, unlike in some key rivals or in most mainstream versions of Vauxhall's other small SUV from this period, the Crossland, there's no useful sliding bench mechanism to improve things. Leg room for adults would be OK on a short to medium-length journey, but you wouldn't really want to be in the back for much longer than that. It'll probably be fine for children though, unless they object to the upwardly sloping window line which, particularly on models with tinted rear windows, might leave some kids feeling a touch claustrophobic. And the boot? Well with everything open, there's a usefully big aperture, but quite a high lip and a 350-litre capacity figure that's 60-litres less than you'd get in a Crossland. To give you some segment perspective, a rival MK2 Nissan Juke offers 422-litres, while a Ford Puma has 456-litres. Unlike with a MK2 Peugeot 2008, you lose out on space if you opt for the all-electric variant - the Mokka EV can offer just 310-litres. There is, however, an adjustable-height boot floor on some models, which provides storage that's perfect for charging cables; there's not much further room below that though. You get bag hooks on either side and an LED light on the left but only two tie-down points. And you can't stash the parcel shelf against the back of the rear bench when not in use, as you can with some rivals. That bench has a conventional 60:40-split but at least if you position the cargo floor at its higher level, there's no step up to it when the rear seat is folded, which releases up to 1,105-litres of room in a combustion Mokka model - or up to 1,060-litres in an electric Mokka.

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