Vauxhall Mokka review - Engines, drive & performance

Like other models with the same underpinnings, the Mokka feels safe and secure, but doesn't seem to prioritise driver involvement. The steering response feels more natural than in some of its Peugeot and Citroen cousins, but it still lacks in communication and feedback. There's a Sport mode, but selecting this only boosts the volume of the engine, without necessarily making it sound better.

Body lean is kept under control, which is a good thing in a car with a raised ride height. It's barely noticeable unless you start to drive the Mokka beyond its comfort zone, at which point the front tyres are likely to protest and the car will understeer. If you enjoy driving, a Ford Puma offers quite a bit more fun.

Vauxhall Mokka petrol engines

As of early 2025 there are just two versions of the 1.2-litre pure petrol Vauxhall Mokka, while above these is a Hybrid 136 model with a greater focus on fuel economy but no rise in power. The entry-level version of the 1.2-litre engine gets 134bhp and is paired with a six-speed manual transmission which propels it from 0-62mph in 8.9 seconds. 

The automatic version of the petrol is actually slightly less powerful with 128bhp but is more expensive – it also manages 0-62mph in the same time as the manual. The mild-hybrid version has a little more power with 134bhp and as a result is slightly quicker to 62mph, taking 8.2 seconds. 

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Diesel engines

The sole 1.5-litre diesel engine was discontinued in late 2022, and was the same one found in numerous Peugeot and Citroen models. Here it has 109bhp, and gets from 0-62mph in 10.8 seconds. However, it also has a small torque advantage over even the 128bhp petrol, giving it enough pulling power to overtake slower traffic.

Electric

Like a growing number of crossovers, the Vauxhall is available with an EV powertrain, and we've reviewed the Mokka Electric separately. The electric motor has 154bhp and is the quickest version of the Mokka, taking just eight seconds to go from 0-62mph.