Mokka sales continue to grow

Test Drive by Graham Breeze

Earlier this year sales of the Vauxhall Mokka crashed through the half million target across Europe and sales continue to grow.

It’s been three years since the Luton based company released the Mokka into the highly competitive SUV sector with doubters questioning the timing.

But the suits at Vauxhall have every right to celebrate now with sales still on the up and awards across Europe including an “All-Wheel Drive Car of the Year” prize and a “Company Car of the Year” honour.

There have been many changes since the 2013 when the target audience was probably a lot younger than today, with the 1.6 CDTi (110ps) Ecoflex test car clearly aimed at those with economical motoring high on their wish list.

And of course Mokka owners are now fully connected with the personal connectivity and service assistant OnStar, which offers extensive services at the push of a button – that is of course unless you live in an area where there is no signal.

OnStar has become a major selling point for Vauxhall with advertising campaigns being thrust at us on all TV channels and it provides a wide range of services ranging from Automatic Crash Response and Roadside Assistance to Remote Vehicle Diagnostics via the myVauxhall smartphone app or a powerful 4G/LTE Wi-Fi hotspot for up to seven devices.

If you are looking for a comfortable and robust SUV with a price tag that will not immediately send you running for the forecourt exit, the Mokka is certainly worth a closer look, particularly this model, which leaves the garage for £18,614.

Outwardly the Mokka is an impressive looking car, standing on silver-effect 17inch alloy wheels, while inside there is enough room for five with a useful boot space of 356 litres – easily passing the golf clubs test.

Up front there’s plenty of comfort for the driver and passenger and while everything is at your fingertips the dash is a little cluttered – it’s a difficult choice these days between containing everything within the touchscreen system or the more traditional layout. Vauxhall seem to have gone for a halfway house.

On the road the Mokka is comfortable enough but you are reminded that this is an SUV if you forget yourself on tight bends with perhaps a little too much body-lean – but on the motorway the Vauxhall is up there with the best in sector.

This capable diesel can also be combined with intelligent all-wheel drive. The 4x4 system automatically recognises where the most traction is required and divides power to front- or rear-wheels accordingly, providing a considerable boost in safety especially in wet and slippery conditions.

It’s the performance that has won this car so many accolades. With a top speed of 111mph and 0-60mph in 11.7 seconds Mokka is not the quickest but you can expect 69mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions are only 109g/km. That means no tax for the first year and only £20 per year after that.

The test car was not short of standard equipment which includes Sat Nav, switchable electronic stability programme, traction control, hill start assist, anti-lock braking system, tyre pressure monitoring system, driver’s and front passenger’s front, side-impact and full-size curtain airbags and dual-zone electronic climate control.

You also get USB connection with iPod control, Bluetooth functionality, digital radio, steering wheel mounted audio controls, steering column adjustable for reach and rake and leather-covered steering wheel.

There’s a multi-function trip computer, cruise control • 60/40 split flip and fold rear seat, remote control alarm system and central locking, automatic lighting,  high beam assist, rain-sensitive windscreen wipers an anti-dazzle rear-view mirror and rear parking distance sensors. There are alloy-effect protective front skid plates, side-protection mouldings and silver-effect roof rails.

The OnStar system and a coat of metallic paint increased the price to £19,554 which is competitive in the sector and you are still getting quite a bit for your money.