This week’s test corresponds to the Opel Mokka, a car with a youthful and striking appearance that, in addition, in this version that we have analyzed incorporates an interesting 136-horsepower electrical mechanics. An ideal car to move around the city with agility and without limitations, as long as we have a charging point.
The Opel Mokka is part of the most demanded segment of the market, that of small SUVs with an urban focus and which, in this case, thanks to its electrical mechanics and therefore its “0 emissions” label, is perfectly adapted to use in the city, where its consumption is also very low. And that is why it is a very interesting car, especially for younger people who are looking for unlimited mobility around the city.
The Mokka has a groundbreaking style, with a very striking front and diesel and gasoline mechanics, to which is added this interesting 100% electric version. It is a completely new car, which only inherits from its predecessor, which was still under the umbrella of General Motors, the name.
robust appearance
It is actually a shorter vehicle and also wider than its predecessor. But one of the keys to this new Mokka is its lightness. It is no less than 120 kilos lighter with the same version, and also 15% more rigid, which has an impact on that tighter consumption and its improved dynamic behavior.
Its driving position is very technological, with two large screens, but buttons are not given up to make things easier.
At the mechanical level there is an important change: its predecessor offered a LPG variant that was added to the diesel and gasoline, while in this case the range of versions with a thermal engine is extended with the electric one. To do this, it uses the multi-energy platform of the Stellantis group, the same one used by its “brother” the Opel Corsa or its “cousins” the Peugeot 208 and 2008 or the DS 3 Crossback.
The new Mokka is a compact-sized vehicle that performs very well in urban traffic, but due to its mechanics it can also be used perfectly on the road. That also includes this electric variant. Although in this case of the Mokka-e it will always be necessary to be aware of its autonomy.
The approved value starts from 328 kilometers for the most equipped version. In the case of the access variant, the figure rises to 335 kilometers. But we must bear in mind that if we ride on the road and with some agility, over 120 km/h on the highway, we won’t do much more than 275 kilometres. At least, those are the results we have obtained during our tests. And another important detail, only for those who always seek to go fast, its maximum speed is only 150 km/h, in order to improve its autonomy in this way.
It has a simple design and aesthetics, but at the same time it is very striking. On its front we find a black band at the top that includes the standard LED headlights and optionally matrix ones, highly advanced technology for the small SUV segment. This top is not a vent but rather a closed surface.
Very striking
Its aesthetic is striking with very straight shapes and with possibilities of customization in its colors. A clear proof is found in the images that accompany this test of our vehicle with a green color and its roof in black. The customization possibilities go through that type of two-tone roof or through touches of color on the wheels to give it that differentiating touch.
The Mokka is short, wide and rugged-looking, but it’s also taller for its urban SUV ethos.
It is a model integrated into the small SUV segment, the so-called urban SUV. This means it has higher ground clearance, which results in easier access to the interior and better visibility for the driver and other occupants. It provides a very technological driving position because it is only offered with a digital instrument panel, although depending on its equipment it can be 10 or 12 inches. This instrumentation is associated with a screen on the center console of another 10 inches. And all this adds a modern and youthful touch, also to its interior.
Something that I found very interesting is that despite the fact that almost everything can be done with the touch screen, the Mokka includes a few buttons to facilitate its daily use. These are located under the screen and allow quick access to the sound system, the browser and other functions. All this so that its management is easier and more intuitive and that it does not mislead the driver. Below we find the air conditioning controls, also very easy to use. This seems to me a good option for the Mokka, compared to the total digitization of some rival models.
The same happens with the gear lever, or the gear selector in our case of the electric car, and with the driving modes. Both the gear selection lever and the riding modes lever have three positions and are very easy to manage. The first allows you to choose D, N and R, the usual in any automatic change, and the second also allows three possibilities.
driving modes
The three possible options are Eco, Normal and Sport, the usual ones in almost all current models. But in this case there is a big difference and that is that they are perfectly parameterizable. In other vehicles, what happens is that when Sport mode is activated, the car changes gear faster or the accelerator offers another touch. In this case, the power and torque of the electric motor are limited, among other things.
In other words, if we work in Sport mode we will have 100% of the power, that is, 136 horsepower. But if we activate the Normal mode we will have 80% of the power. And in the “Eco” mode, undoubtedly the ideal for normal use with an electric car, 60%. Or what is the same, 136 horses in the Sport, 110 CV in the normal and 90 CV when we apply the “Eco” mode.
Throughout the test I was able to do quite a few kilometers in each of the options. With the normal mode the Mokka moves very well on all terrains and in the city it is very cheerful. And if we need to go a little faster, with the Sport a notable improvement in its acceleration capacity is achieved, but above all, enjoy its faster reactions a little more. But that joy will mean losing autonomy.
I have done most of the trips in this test in “Eco” mode to try to make the most of its autonomy, both on the highway and in urban areas. It seems more than enough to me because even when more acceleration is needed, just pressing the accelerator pedal already makes the car pick up speed quite quickly. And with this we can gain about 20 kilometers of autonomy when the battery is full.
recharge
Undoubtedly one of the keys to an electric car is its recharging capacity. In this sense, the Opel Mokka-e has a 50 kWh battery, quite reasonable by weight and cost. It offers various charging options. It can be done in a household socket, but this is only an emergency solution for the time required. Therefore, the most reasonable option is to have a dedicated wallbox.
The front seats offer good body support and are quite comfortable.
But it can also be recharged at a direct current and high capacity point, in which case the charge is limited to a maximum of 100 kW. As approximate recharging times, in an 11 kW wallbox it charges in one minute to travel 1 kilometer. If it is done at a 50 kW point, in one minute we will recharge to cover 5 kilometers and in a 100 kW charger, the maximum possible, in 1 minute we will have a charge to cover an additional 9 kilometers.
As regards the rest of its range, the Mokka is also offered with two gasoline engines and one diesel, which provide the style of this SUV without the limitations of an electric vehicle, for now. The gasoline engines are the same 1.2-liter turbocharged engine with two alternatives: the starting point is 100 horsepower and above that an option of 120 horsepower. And if we talk about diesel, although fewer are sold every day, they are still an option for those who travel many kilometers every day, with the 110-horsepower 1.5 engine.
The Mokka arrives to compete in a difficult segment, which is the one that accumulates the most sales in the Spanish market. A market in which almost all manufacturers offer an alternative and in which this Mokka stands out for its striking style, with personality, and good driving dynamics.
As for their prices, they range between 21,824 euros for the basic 100 CV and 32,113 euros for the top of the range with the 120-horsepower gasoline engine with automatic transmission and the maximum equipment. As for “our” Mokka-e, its recommended price without discounts or aid plan such as the Moves plan, starts at 35,400 euros. An interesting alternative to move around the city, as long as we have a charging point in our garage or at work.
Data sheet
Opel Mokka-e
Electric motor
Power 136 hp
Torque: 260Nm
Top speed: 150km/h
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, 9.0 seconds
Front-wheel drive
WLTP approved consumption in combined cycle 15.8 kWh/100 km.
Battery capacity: 50 kWh.
WLTP autonomy in combined cycle: 335 km.
Dimensions (length/width/height), 4.15 x 1.79 x 1.53 meters.
Trunk capacity: 310 liters.
Empty weight: 1,580 kg.
Price: 35,400 euros.
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