Opel’s Mokka X jumps into the SUV pool

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Since its launch in 2012, the Opel Mokka has been a popular compact SUV. Last year the crossover sold 127,437 units and over 500,000 units in Europe. This year Opel is projecting even better results.

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Featuring intelligent 4×4 all wheel drive, which gives added traction control and stability, the Mokka X is the more confident cousin of the Mokka. It feels assured on the road and planted under foot. The arrival of a 1.4-litre turbo petrol unit and Opel’s 1.6-litre CDTi ‘Whisper’ diesel heralds in some of the best of Opel’s diesel range.

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AWD sensors monitor wheel speed and can switch from front wheel to 4×4 as required. This comes in handy during the winter when you get black ice surprise or when driving down muddy country lanes. During testing, it activated while going around a bend on a muddy off-road track in Scotland. There wasn’t much speed involved but I could feel the system activating underneath and taking control, in a good way.

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It’s a bonus when driver aids are actually worthwhile. But it’s another story when all the bells and whistles go off if you’ve placed a package on the front seat and the car insists the package requires a seatbelt. In fairness, said package should probably be in the boot, but do we really need so much nannying? The majority of driver aids have become a distraction. Today’s driver aids remind me of Microsoft’s paper clip helper, they pop up, never really help and you spend more time trying to get rid of them, than you do concentrating on whatever it was you were doing in the first place. Which you have now forgotten because you’ve gotten mad at a paper clip.

Those who know the Mokka best will appreciate the updated LED tech used in the main instrument dials. There’s also the host of electronic driving aids are available such as Following Distance Indication and Forward Collision Alert which work well but like most of these systems, can fall foul to triggering unnecessarily. 

The Mokka is a small and light city car which will suit a starter family well for small journeys and light IKEA trips. The space in the back with the seats folded, will fit average sized household objects going from 360 liters with the 60/40 seats up and over 1,372 liters with the seats down. While the X is sold as a 4×4, it’s really suited for ad-hoc off road duty.

Mokka X prices start at €25,245.00 in Ireland. Two spec models are available:

MOKKA X SC
FROM €25,245.00
Highlights:

  • Front/rear parking sensors
    IntelliLink touchscreen infotainment
    Dual-zone climate control
    Automatic lights/wipers
    Cruise control with speed limiter

MOKKA X ELITE
FROM €28,945.00
Highlights:

  • Navi 900 satellite navigation
    Leather seat trim
    Heated front seats/steering wheel
    Front/rear parking sensors