Brand New Vauxhall Mokka 115kW Ultimate 54kWh 5dr Auto

The improved version of Vauxhall's Mokka Electric small EV crossover aims to energise its brand. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

In theory, Vauxhall's Mokka Electric ticks a lot of boxes, especially in this usefully updated form. Small, fashionable SUVs are the market's primary growth area at present. And of course, everyone's talking about EVs. This one gets even trendier looks and a smarter cabin, plus as before proven underpinnings and a drivetrain claiming up to 250 miles of range. It's the sort of electric model that ought to find a ready audience.

Background

Unlike some volume rivals who are tinkering around the edges of electrification, Vauxhall is fully committed to the electric revolution. And we mean the full-electric revolution. Since 2021, we've had the Corsa Electric supermini and EV versions of the Vauxhall Combo and Vivaro Life People Carriers. And it was in that year that we first saw the original version of the car we look at here, Vauxhall's Mokka Electric small SUV (then called the 'Mokka-e'). This was a very different kind of Mokka to the previous generation design and initially, it sold quite well for the Griffin brand, even in pricey EV form. But by 2023, sales had dropped by a third and a mid-term facelift was eagerly anticipated by the dealer network. It's that update we're going to take a look at here. As before, all the basic engineering's shared not only with the Corsa Electric but also by Stellantis Group small crossover models from Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Jeep and Alfa Romeo. The Griffin brand though, claims to have subtly evolved its version of this fashionable recipe. Let's take a look.

Driving Experience

This car doesn't feel quite as urgent away from rest as its Corsa Electric showroom stablemate, but it's not slow; 62mph from rest takes 9s. It does share all the same mechanicals you'll find in that EV supermini, though can now only be had with the larger 54kWh 'Long Range' battery. This offers a range of 250 miles and is linked to a 156PS motor producing 260Nm of torque, mated with the usual single-speed auto transmission you get with EVs. Like all Electric Vehicles, this one has a bit of a weight problem - that drivetrain adds over 300kgs of bulk, but that arguably helps the Mokka Electric when it comes to ride quality; you'll feel things like speed humps keenly but at speed on the open road, it handles tarmac tears a little better than its combustion cousins. You'll only get near the claimed range figures if you engage a rather restrictive 'Eco' drive setting that drops power output right down to 83PS. You certainly won't achieve anything like that kind of range if you get anywhere near this EV's quoted 93mph top speed. Or if you habitually drive your Mokka Electric in the 'Sport' setting that'll be necessary to release to full power outputs just mentioned. There's very light steering (which you'll need to get used to). And a button to increase brake regeneration (which will charge the battery as you brake or cruise and eke out that all-important driving range). If you'd like a hotter kind of Mokka Electric, then Vauxhall will sell you a top GSE version. This features much more power (281PS with 345Nm of torque) and proper performance tuning. It makes 62mph in just 5.9s en route to 129mph but range drops to just 209 miles.

Design and Build

This is a cleaner, more appealing take on the Mokka Electric, but you might need a long stare and a quick reference to the old car to realise just why. The main changes are at the front, where a new cut line below the blacked-out 'Vizor' grille has been added. The LED headlamps and tail lights also gain a more distinctive three 'lighting block' signature; plus chrome has been dispensed with and there's a redesigned front bumper. A black design strip now runs from the A-pillars above the side windows; with another running across the lower doors surfaces to the rear. The EV version gets special aero wheels too. There are bigger changes inside, where the driver now gets a larger 10-inch digital instrument display. Complementing a central 10-inch infotainment screen that includes a number of functions previously controlled by dashboard buttons. There are also clearer 'widget'-style menus, better 'Hey Vauxhall' voice recognition with ChatGPT functionality and wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring. Obviously, it's all the same as before further back. As before, there's no useful sliding bench mechanism to improve leg room for adults. That would be OK on a short to medium-length journey, but you wouldn't really want to be in the back for much longer than that. Boot space remains set at 310-litres - which is 40-litres less than the combustion version and a huge 150-litres less than the entry-level Vauxhall SUV EV model, the Frontera Electric.

Market and Model

Mokka Electric pricing starts from around the £32,500 mark but thanks to a £1,500 Elerctric Car Grant contribution, you'll be paying around £31,000 upwards, which is only £2,500 more than the equivalent Mokka Hybrid model. There are four main trim levels - 'Griffin', 'Design', 'GS' and 'Ultimate'. Then a top GSE performance model at the top of the range which has 281PS and costs from around £37,000 (around £35,500 after ECG deduction). All versions come pretty well equipped. Popular 'Design' trim comes with 17-inch black alloy wheels, a black roof, dark tinted rear windows, rear parking sensors, a panoramic rear view camera, LED headlights and taillights and high beam assist. Inside there are 10-inch screens for the infotainment and the instruments courtesy of the Multimedia Pure Panel system. Plus air conditioning, an automatic anti-dazzle rear view mirror, cruise control with an intelligent speed limiter, heated front seats and a movable boot floor. Safety kit includes Lane departure warning with Lane keep assist, extended traffic sign recognition, driver drowsiness alert, forward collision alert at low speeds and enhanced automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Mid-range 'GS' trim adds larger 18-inch wheels, sportier looks, 'Black Focus' upholstery and a 180-degree rear-view camera. Plush 'Ultimate' spec gets into 'IntelliLux' LED matrix headlights, alcantara upholstery, keyless entry, adaptive cruise control and a driver's seat massage function.

Cost of Ownership

We mentioned earlier that this Mokka Electric now comes only in 54kWh form with up to 250 miles of range in mainstream form. To maintain that in the depths of winter, you're going to need to have added the optional heat pump, which costs £400 more. The Mokka Electric model's powertrain can support most domestic charging standards, as well as most commercially offered DC rapid charging systems. It has support for up to 3-phase 11kW charging in AC mode for home use: and a modest 100kW DC capability is standard, allowing the car to be replenished at a DC public charging point to 80% capacity in 30 minutes. Full AC charging from a 7.4kW home wallbox needs 7 hours 30 minutes, which you can reduce to 5 hours if you're able to use a three-phase supply and charge at 11kW. Plug into a domestic socket and you'll need a yawning 21 hours 45 minutes. At the time of testing in Spring 2025, Benefit-in-Kind tax ratings for the Mokka Electric were pitched at 3% and this car has a first year VED road tax rating of just £10, with £195 payable annually thereafter. Insurance for this Mokka Electric is group 24. Residual values for this Mokka Electric are predicted after three years and 36,000 miles at just 32%. The Mokka claws the advantage back with modest cost of options and very affordable servicing you can budget for with a range of pre-paid servicing plans. Servicing for combustion Mokkas is every 12,5000 miles or annually. This Mokka Electric needs a service at the end of the first year or at 8,000 miles, after which it'll need garage visits every two years or 16,000 miles. For all Mokkas, there's an unremarkable, but potentially extendable, three year 60,000 mile warranty. And this EV model has the usual eight year / 100,000 mile battery warranty.

Summary

It's hard to recognise this generation Mokka from the Korean MK1 design launched back in 2012 that trundled around on an old fashioned chassis and used thirsty petrol engines. These days, the Mokka is a thoroughly modern product - and this improved Mokka Electric demonstrates just how modern. The competition in this segment though is tough and if you've cast your net about in this class, you'll know that it still can't go quite as far on a single charge as some competitors, nor is it quite as engaging to drive as the stronger-selling rival Ford Puma GEN-E. And of course it doesn't really offer anything fundamentally very different from its near-identically-engineered closest Stellantis Group cousins in this class from Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat, Jeep and Alfa Romeo. For all that though, we can see plenty of browsing Vauxhall showroom customers being quite seduced by what's on offer here. In summary, this Mokka Electric delivers just enough driving range to be practical, just enough style to fit in at the gym and just enough value to make the switch to an EV possible on monthly finance. Just enough of everything then, for Vauxhall to get more of a toe-hold in this important sector.