Our Cars

Vauxhall Mokka-e SRi Nav Premium

Second Report

I recently researched the potential death of the grille, given its growing redundancy in an EV-driven world. I felt sad because, let’s face it, who doesn’t suffer from pareidolia? Otherwise known as the human instinct to perceive a face in inanimate objects, millions spent on development can easily be blown by an unfortunate fizzog. Remember Morgan’s cross-eyed Aero 8, or the Fiat Multipla’s murderous beady eyes? On sale now, BMW’s latest X5 sports angry nostrils like a brace of bin lids.

But Vauxhall has pulled off a blinder. Charged with the role of debuting the across-brand “vizor” styling, the Mokka risks weirdness by going grille-free. It’s chic and sleek, and a little stormtrooper, but just this side of Star Wars before spinning off into the Millennium Falconry of Toyota’s latest C-HR.

As the coffee-bean name might suggest, the Mokka ticks the cute box. Which is perhaps why I get so many, at this early stage of cohabitation, asking me what it’s like. My schoolboy error is to commence a seminar on the pros and cons of electric vehicle motoring, before I realise they’re not asking that: they just want to know what it’s like to drive, how it works for a family, if it’s good value. And there lies the problem: we can be so immersed in the blinding epiphany of post-petrol motoring, that we forget about real-life details.

So here’s my early take on Mokka-e motoring, much facilitated by the fact that now those electrical wizards at Pod Point have kitted me out with a nifty 7kWh home charger, I am no longer a no-range headless chicken.

Maybe the best approach is to list some journeys. This month, I’ve spent a long day on a solo trip into the nether regions of Surrey, where, exploring little lanes, the new model’s tiny increment of width – 10mm against the original Mokka – does make me feel at times a little chunky. But all the camera angles and bleepers are great for in-hedge navigation. Our Mokka-e’s low-slung centre of gravity appears to make for a car, once you’ve calibrated to it, that’s happy to lunge into a corner; it’s weighty and does understeer when pushed, but predictably so.

At our local recycling centre, I arrived with far, far more domestic detritus than I thought possible. The rear seats don’t fold totally flat, but that’s mitigated by reasonable roof space and a load floor that swallows well, even if it’s lower than the tailgate. We’ve done family trips, too, four-up. The ride’s less forgiving in the rear, but elbow space is good. Were my children 18, I reckon they’d be complaining about legroom, though I’d point out the advantages of living on a bus route.

Kit-wise, the audio system is impressive, albeit obsessed with FM when a decent DAB signal’s available. The air con’s great, though given its energy consumption, I strive for a windows-first policy. And the navigation system, complete with the nerd-tastic data on height above sea level, is up there with the best. 

Like that teenager in the back, I’m out of space. Ultimate recommendation? It’s not the cute face; I’d buy one for its electro-glide zoom. Show it an open road, set the power to Sport mode, sit back, grip and grin.

Date arrived 4th August 2021
Mileage 942
Range 201 miles

What's Hot

Get you, Griffin! Front ‘Vizor’ face is ice cool. Note to Tesla: try harder.

What's Not

Carwash brushes stop shy of recessed top of the rear window, leaving traces of grime.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

related

SUBSCRIBE
today

and save over 40%

Looks like you're leaving

Subscribe to Diesel&EcoCar for just £5.99 a Month

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.