Vauxhall Mokka Review & Prices

The Mokka is Vauxhall’s smallest SUV, with handsome, sleek styling and generous standard kit in entry-level versions. It gets expensive as you go up the model range, however, and the boot is small compared to the alternatives.

You can think of the Mokka as a slightly posher take on a basic tiny SUV recipe, such as the mechanically similar Vauxhall Frontera. It’s a bit like cooking up Tesco finest sausages, pomme puree and posh gravy rather than settling on a pack of Richmond bangers with watery Bisto.

It’s not the only small SUV with a bit of edge to its looks, however, as the Peugeot 2008 and Renault Captur are both excellent alternatives, while the Toyota Yaris Cross offers a brilliant hybrid engine and the Dacia Duster is a larger, tougher choice of SUV for a similar price.

There are some electric offerings available for a similar price, too, such as the BYD Dolphin, Jaecoo E5 and MG4 Urban. There’s even a Vauxhall Mokka Electric, if you’re after an EV-flavoured Mokka.

The Vauxhall is certainly the sharpest-styled of the lot, though. With its visor-like panel containing the headlights, sculpted bumpers and pronounced wheel arches, you’d never tell that the well-proportioned SUV shares a lot under the skin with the humdrum Corsa hatchback.

That is, until you step inside, because the Mokka’s cabin is a bit dreary. It avoids looking cheap thanks to the dashboard and infotainment system which are canted towards the driver, like in a BMW, but you’re in an expanse of grey, scratchy plastics and the displays feel dated compared to the latest Chinese fare.

It isn’t particularly spacious inside, either, with enough room to get comfortable up front but little otherwise in the name of storage compartments or back seat real estate. Adults in particular will feel hemmed in by the Mokka’s low roofline, while the 350-litre boot isn’t much bigger than a Volkswagen Polo or other small hatchbacks.

There are three engine and gearbox options for the Mokka: a petrol engine with either a manual or automatic gearbox, and a hybrid as shared with the Frontera, Citroen C3 and even the mighty Peugeot 5008 seven-seater. The entry-level petrol manual is our pick of the bunch, offering the best value for money.

An SUV in all but size, the Mokka is a piece of cake to drive in town. The steering, clutch and gear lever are all light to operate - plus the soft suspension does a good job of soaking up speed bumps. Rear visibility is poor, so you may want to consider a trim level with a back-up camera.

It’s a comfortable motorway cruiser, too, but the little Vauxhall is far from riveting on a country lane. That probably won’t matter to you, but considering the Ford Puma manages to be sporty and practical, it’s a bit of a let down by the Mokka.

Verdict

The Vauxhall Mokka is a perfectly pleasant little SUV which is easy to live with and easy to drive. The entry-level versions offer the best value for money, but it’s hard to recommend the top-spec cars over a Renault Captur or Toyota Yaris Cross. The Mokka just isn’t as good for that money.

If you can get a cracking price on one, however, the Mokka is a solid choice, so browse the latest Vauxhall Mokka deals, Mokka lease deals and used Mokkas for sale through our trusted dealer network. There are plenty of other used Vauxhalls for sale, too, and Carwow can even help you sell your current car when it’s time to switch.

Starting at under £26,000 in entry-level Griffin trim, the Mokka may seem expensive when compared to the Skoda Kamiq and SEAT Arona, as well as the Renault Captur, but that gap shrinks by the time the alternatives have enough options fitted to match the Mokka’s equipment levels.

The Peugeot 2008 is a bit more expensive and the Volkswagen T-Cross is similarly priced, but both offer posher, more premium-feeling cabins - and have more desirable badges on the steering wheel.

Mid-range GS trim adds powerfold mirrors, keyless entry-and-go and an upgraded security system. Top-spec Ultimate models feature wireless phone charging, built-in navigation (but you’re going to use Apple Carplay or Android Auto anyway) and matrix LED headlights.

The Mokka deals with bumps reasonably well and it’s easy to drive, but it’s really boring behind the wheel

In town

The Mokka’s light steering and compact dimensions mean it’s easy to drive through tight spaces and in town, especially compared to bigger SUVs. The suspension does a decent job smoothing out most bumps and potholes – even on the bigger 18-inch wheels fitted to the GS and Ultimate trims.

You get a better view out of the Vauxhall Mokka than in regular hatchbacks such as the Vauxhall Corsa thanks to its raised suspension and tall body, but the difference isn’t as huge as you may think.

While looking forwards is fine, the narrow rear windscreen and small back windows can make parallel parking or slotting into a tight multi-storey space a little tricky, though you do get rear parking sensors on all cars. You need to step up to the GS model for a reversing camera.

On the motorway

The Vauxhall Mokka is a fairly quiet car to drive, which makes longer journeys much easier on your ears. You won’t hear too much noise from any of the engines unless you accelerate hard, and you’ll only notice a slight wind whistle from the door mirrors at motorway speeds.

You can’t get a diesel engine anymore, though both petrol and mild hybrid engines have enough performance to keep up on the motorway and are economical in the process.

You get cruise control as standard, as well as lane-keeping in automatic models only. If you want adaptive cruise control, to maintain your speed and distance to the car in front, you need a top-spec Ultimate model.

On a twisty road

The Mokka is not designed to be a sports car, but even so it is not as much fun to drive as a Ford Puma. The steering has good weight and feel, but the body leans in corners and the car isn’t keen to change direction quickly.

Don’t think opting for the manual gearbox will make things more fun, either. It’s a light throw so there’s not much satisfaction to be had shifting gears. The hybrid has a bit more power, which will put a bit more of a smile on your face, but comes with an automatic gearbox – neither is particularly thrilling.

Front seat passengers get a decent deal, but the rear cabin is a squeeze for adults and alternatives have more boot space

The Vauxhall Mokka’s cabin feels pretty roomy in the front. The seats are comfortable and come with a decent amount of adjustment so you’ll be able to get a good view out whether you’re small or very tall. The steering wheel adjusts for reach and rake too, so most drivers will be able to find a comfortable driving position.

Storage space is okay, with respectably sized door pockets and a tray below the centre of the dashboard which is perfect for storing a phone – on the top models this area will wirelessly charge it too. It’s slightly more awkward to access on cars fitted with a manual transmission though, as the gear lever dominates the centre console.

Two cupholders sit behind the gear lever, with an armrest which covers another generously-sized storage cubby.

Space in the back seats

It’s best to describe the back seats as cosy. The doors themselves are small, meaning larger adults will find it tricky to fold themselves in. Once there, six-foot-tall passengers don’t have much headroom to spare and their knees will touch the front seats if they’re sitting behind an equally tall driver.

The central rear seat is raised, which limits headroom further, but at least there’s enough space for three kids to sit side-by-side without the need to fight over elbow room – unless there are child seats involved, which will eat into the available room further.

The Mokka’s relatively small rear windows mean the view out isn’t fantastic, and the dark interior fabrics can make things feel a little too dreary at times too.

Boot space

The Vauxhall Mokka has a 350-litre boot, which is enough for a weekly shop or some light luggage for a weekend away. However, pretty much everything else you might consider has more capacity, particularly the Renault Captur (484 litres), Dacia Duster (472 litres) and Toyota Yaris Cross (397 litres).

You can fold the rear seats to open up 1,105 litres, though there’s a bit of a lip which can make it tricky to push heavy items through. The seats don’t fold particularly flat, either.

The Mokka looks smarter than many small SUVs inside and feels solidly built, but its infotainment system isn’t the most intuitive

The Vauxhall Mokka’s cabin is more interesting than the interiors of most alternatives, but it can’t quite match the style you get in a Peugeot 2008. That might suit you though if you prefer the more restrained – and arguably more sensible – design.

You get a twin-screen setup, with two 10.0-inch displays for the infotainment system and instruments. It looks pretty upmarket, similar to the setups you get in much posher cars, but the system itself is slow and clunky to use. The Renault Captur’s Google-based system is infinitely better.

At least you get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is useful for bypassing most of Vauxhall’s setup, and the fact there are still physical controls for some functions, such as the climate control, means you’re not messing about in the touchscreen for a simple temperature change.

Most of the Mokka’s materials feel pretty solid. There are a few hard plastics on the doors and beside the centre console, but the soft dashboard trim and sturdy buttons and controls feel pleasingly well made.

The engine range is quite simple, with a 1.2-litre petrol engine available in three different variations.

Most people will find the entry level engine is the most affordable if you’re only planning on keeping the car for a few years. It makes 136hp and comes with a six-speed manual gearbox. It’s the cheapest of the line-up to buy and official fuel economy of 49.6mpg is respectable. You can have this petrol engine with 130hp and an automatic gearbox, but it’s more expensive and, officially, isn’t quite as good on fuel.

The hybrid is the pick of the bunch, money no object, because you get the smoothness of electric assistance and an automatic gearbox. It’s pricier than the other engines, but fuel economy of up to 58.8mpg in official tests will offset that if you plan to keep the car for a long time.

Low emissions mean you have to pay relatively low first-year Vehicle Excise Duty, and there are no worries about paying the expensive car supplement in years two to six, either. You’re better off looking at a plug-in hybrid model, such as the MG HS, if you’re a company car chooser, because it has a lower benefit-in-kind rating. There’s also the Vauxhall Mokka Electric, which sits in the lowest company car tax band because it’s an EV.

/Vauxhall Mokka Euro NCAP Score (2021): 4/5

Adult occupant: 73%
Child occupant: 75%
Vulnerable road users: 58%
Safety assist: 64%

The Vauxhall Mokka received a four-star Euro NCAP rating back in 2021, but the test was made stricter in 2022 - so the Mokka might not fare as well against the current standards. Still, a four-star result is the same as the Renault Captur and higher than the Dacia Duster, while the Skoda Kamiq and Toyota Yaris Cross have earned the full five stars.

You get all the basic assistance kit such as driver drowsiness monitoring and traffic sign recognition, as well as basic cruise control. Step up to the Griffin trim and you get rain-sensing windscreen wipers, while GS models add parking cameras. Top-spec Ultimate models get adaptive cruise control, matrix LED headlights and a blind spot warning.

*the basic three-year warranty is extended by a year with each approved service

Vauxhall performed very well in the 2025 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, coming fourth out of 31 manufacturers. That should bode well for your ownership, with added peace of mind.

As with all other Vauxhalls, the Mokka is covered by a three-year or 60,000-mile warranty. That’s pretty much the bare minimum these days, and rivals such as Kia and MG offer seven year cover, while Toyota leads the way with its ten-year warranty.