Compact crossovers are seriously hot property right now, and the Mokka should find plenty of happy punters, who’ll appreciate the commanding driving position and rough-and-tumble looks, plus the distinctly un-SUV-like running costs.
But the Mokka isn’t a keen driver’s cup of tea, and its diesel engine, though frugal, is disappointingly coarse when you give it the beans. Still, if you’re after a well-equipped kid-friendly runabout that cuts a dash above simple supermini-dom, the Mokka should suit your daily grind. And look, we only made three coffee-themed jibes about the name in the end.
We’ll let the Mokka moniker lie – no coffee puns here, thank you. Styling-wise, the bluff little Mokka is appealing in the metal, marrying supermini cuteness with an air of chunky pugnaciousness, like a more grown-up Fiat Panda 4x4. Following the shamelessly trendy Adam city car, rakish Astra GTC and new soft-top Cascada, it’s good to see Vauxhall’s designers stringing together a run of handsome cars.
There are many good mini-SUVs on the market. The Mokka isn’t one of them. We advise a trip to a Skoda dealership.
Vauxhall’s first foray into the mini-SUV market, one currently dominated by the Skoda Yeti and Nissan’s Juke and Qashqai. The Mokka falls somewhere between the latter two in terms of size, and serves up a high-riding driving position and styling optimistically described as ‘chunky’.
Like the Qashqai, it’s available in two- and four-wheel drive, the latter offering enough off-road performance to conquer a muddy field or two, which we suspect will be about the extent of the Mokka’s non-tarmac follies. There’s an entry-level 1.6-litre petrol, a fizzier 1.4-litre turbo petrol and a single diesel offering: Vauxhall’s familiar 1.7-litre CDTi developing 130bhp.
A new engine can transform an ageing car, and while the Vauxhall Mokka diesel has improved, it hasn’t received the new lease of life it needed. The 1.6-litre is refined, punchy and efficient, but allied with a rather dull driving experience. It’s a safe and affordable family car, but one you’d choose with your head rather than your heart.
Look as hard as you like at the pictures, but you won’t identify any cosmetic changes to this Vauxhall Mokka from its predecessor. Peek beneath the bonnet, however, and you’ll find a new 135bhp 1.6-litre ‘whisper diesel’ engine borrowed from the Astra.
It replaces the current 1.7 CDTi and joins the two petrol units in the Mokka range, immediately making a strong case for itself as the engine of choice.
Not only is it quicker and more refined than the outgoing 1.7, it’s more flexible and considerably more economical than both petrol versions. Our Limited Edition model came with 19-inch alloy wheels as standard, which emphasise the mini-SUV proportions yet do nothing for ride comfort. They deliver unwelcome thuds through the cabin that could upset passengers. Around town, the light steering is welcome (most owners won’t worry that it relays no information back to the driver), while body roll is evident in slightly faster corners.
The 2020 Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet is a drop-top version of the company’s subcompact crossover. Launches two years after the coupe regular version, the 2020 T-Roc Cabriolet isn’t just a T-Roc with a soft-top, it also features only two doors instead of four. What’s more, the soft-top has a sleeker design, so the Cabriolet looks sportier than its standard sibling. Inspired by the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet and the Range Rover Evoque Convertible, the 2020 T-Roc Cabriolet is Volkswagen’s only small convertible to date after the discontinuation of the Beetle.
Volkswagen has unveiled its drop-top T-Roc Cabriolet, which it's billing as the only mainstream crossover with a proper convertible roof. Based on the T-Roc SUV, the company's drop-top crossover follows in the footsteps of the soft-top Range Rover Evoque and Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet by blending wind-in-your-hair thrills with the taller ride popular with buyers at the moment. Although it bears the T-Roc name, the Cabriolet isn't just a normal T-Roc SUV with the roof prised off. It's actually 34mm longer than the hardtop with a 37mm longer wheelbase, while front seat occupants sit 599mm above the road – which Volkswagen says ensures they "enjoy a great view".
PROS Traditional SUV attributes with wind-in-the-hair fun Marks a return of convertibles to VW’s line-up Trims start with well-equipped Design It certainly makes a statement...
CONS Less practical than the five-door T-Roc SUV Cabriolet quite a bit pricier, too Reduced engine range with no diesel Handling becomes a bit wobbly
