Since the release of the Nissan Qashqai, crossover and compact SUV’s have been overwhelmingly popular as family cars. Many companies have tried to cash in on this successful model, not everyone succeeding. However, when it’s done right, it can provide a family with a comfortable, spacious car that is still compact enough for it to be easy to drive.
The Opel Mokka is capitalising on the crossover model, but giving it a funkier look. Customers are given the choice between between two petrol and one diesel engine, three different trim levels and either two- or fourwheel drive.
The entry level engine is an 115hp 1.6-litre petrol engine that will be available from €19,995. Despite the low price, this engine has relatively high C02 emissions of 153g/km, equating to €390 annual road tax (as of January 2013). If petrol is your thing, we would point you towards the €23,995, turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol that offers 140hp and 200Nm. This engine is only available with a four-wheel-drive drivetrain so the road tax is the same as the 1.6, but with the performance boost and its off-road ability it is a little more palatable.
While it does have good off-road ability, don’t expect it to drive down tracks like a Range Rover – but it should certainly be able to handle wintery conditions that have become far more common in Ireland in recent years.
The four-wheel-drive system is an ‘on demand’ unit, meaning the Mokka will run as a front-wheel drive car for the majority of the time with power only being sent rearwards once it detects slippage. This is better for fuel economy than a permanent four-wheel drive system, but the weight of the required components does mean it is not efficient or green as a wholly frontwheel drive car.
For this we have to move to the 130hp and 300Nm 1.7-litre CDTi diesel. This engine is available in either front- or fourwheel drive layouts, with the simpler car expected to account for the bulk of sales on the Irish market. This is because, while family buyers want the look of an off-roader, they do not generally go off-road and are much happier to plump for the more economical front-wheel drive model. The Opel engineers worked hard to get CO2 emissions as low as possible on this model, with the results being the front wheel drive variant coming in at 120g/km for that all important Tax Band A.
Around town, where most of these compact SUVs reside, the diesel engine provides adequate oomph for scooting in and out of traffic, but it is found somewhat wanting on the motorway, where engine noise but not speed increases the harder you press the accelerator. However, if racing down the motorway isn’t a concern of yours, this car will serve your family well and it looks pretty cool compared to some crossover cars on the market.
Key Specs:
Price: €23,995 (Mokka range starts at €19,995)
Engine: 1.7-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder diesel
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power: 130hp at 4,000rpm
Torque: 300nm at 2,000- to 2,5000rpm
Acceleration (0-100km/h): 10.0 seconds
Emissions: 120g/km
Running costs:
Annual road tax: €200 for CDTi, €390 for entry level (as of January 2013)
Fuel Economy: 4.5L/100kms (62.8mpg)
With thanks to Car Adviser Magazine
