First report: the electric Vauxhall Mokka-e crossover joins our fleet and is quick to impress
4.0 out of 5
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Verdict
This new Vauxhall Mokka-e is about as radical a departure from the old car as it’s possible to get. It’s certainly got a real depth of ability beneath its sharp suit, so it’s just a shame some of the convenience tech is the precise opposite.
- Mileage: 2,816
- Efficiency: 4.2 miles/kWh
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As transformations go, it’s a big one. The old Vauxhall Mokka was a middling model at best, yet it was a big seller, thanks in no small part to an eye-catching price tag.
Trouble is, trading on price is hard. Fast forward to 2021 and there’s a new Mokka in town, and it’s made huge advances in all the key areas. All except price, because Vauxhall has walked away from heavy discounting.
So I’m living with one for the next six months to find out if it’s a premium worth paying, but first things first. It’s quite a looker, isn’t it? The Vauxhall Vizor nose, the Viva-aping crease along the bonnet, and the trim around the window line (which hides excess bulk) all give it a sleeker profile that makes it stand out. I really like the black badge treatment front and rear, which looks great against the optional White Jade paint.
Best electric SUVs to buy nowIt’s not the only striking colour offered to Mokka-e buyers – something that Tony Le Voi’s Group Sales Director, Geoff Champion, explains, pointing to a Mamba Green model in his Thurrock, Essex, showroom.
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Geoff showed me round the car. SRi Nav Premium is one of four trims in the all-electric Mokka-e range. Ours is the only one in the line-up that sports the red trim, and is expected to be the biggest seller.
Interestingly, only £415 splits the top three trims, so whether you choose SRi Nav Premium, Elite Nav Premium or Ultimate Edition will largely depend on whether you prefer a slightly sporty, upmarket, or more tech-laden look and feel. But whichever you go for, there’s little need to dig deep into the options list. SRi Nav Premium bundles together a 10-inch Navi Pro infotainment system that’ll be familiar to owners of recent Citroens, alongside a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, a heated steering wheel and automatically folding door mirrors.
That’s in addition to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, driver drowsiness alert, traffic-sign recognition, adaptive cruise control and a rear parking camera that’s fitted across the range. The only option on our car is White Jade paint – something that sticks in the craw, given how white and non-metallic red were traditionally the no-cost colours; today it’s a handsome dark silver that’s the “free” shade. Still, outside the rain-soaked showroom, the Mokka-e cuts a dash, and to my eyes this white is the pick of the paint palette.
Geoff showed me the car’s features, but, truth be told, nothing is overly complex. The touchscreen is pretty responsive, the digital display is easy to configure, and it’s simple to see the state of charge in the battery.
The Mokka-e’s charging tech is good, too. It takes 7hr35m to charge from 0-100 per cent from a 7kW wallbox, or 5hr5m from a 22kW charger. Find a CCS rapid charger rated at 50kW, and that time drops to 45 minutes for a 0-80 per cent charge, or just 30 minutes from a 100kW charger. As with most EVs that share their architecture with combustion models, the charge port is located where the fuel flap would be, but it’s frustrating not to have any dedicated cable storage, or even a false floor to tuck the cable out of sight. As the winter approaches, this might become more of a problem.
On the road, first impressions are encouraging. The Mokka-e drives smoothly and quietly, performance is sprightly, and the cabin is attractive, if a little dark thanks to the black headlining and heavily tinted windows. A bonus is that my kids like it, too. Despite the high-set window line, they have a good view out, so the car looks sure to be another all-electric family favourite.
So far, I’ve recorded a maximum range figure of 191 miles with the battery at 100 per cent, just 10 miles down on Vauxhall’s claim, and mainly in Eco mode – one of three drive settings. With the two-stage brake regeneration at maximum attack, the estimated range generally goes down by one mile per mile travelled. That gives a bit of confidence in a car with a WLTP-certified range that’s a bit down on some of its rivals.
| Model: | Vauxhall Mokka-e Sri Nav Premium |
| On fleet since: | September 2021 |
| Price new: | £32,435 |
| Engine: | Single motor/50kWh battery, 134bhp |
| CO2/tax: | 0g/km/£0 |
| Options: | White Jade paint (£320) |
| Insurance*: | Group 22E/Quote £545 |
| Mileage/mpg: | 2,816 |
| Test efficiency: | 4.2 miles/kWh |
| Any problems? | None so far |
*Insurance quote from AA (0800 107 0680) for a 42-year-old in Banbury, Oxon, with three points.
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