Opel Mokka 1.2 Turbo GS (A) Review

I can't help but notice that many Singaporeans have become rather exacting when it comes to their coffee of late, and it's not hard to see why.

Specialty roasters have started to pop up along our high streets, espousing the benefits of their single-source, batch roasted, environmentally-friendly certified beans. There's also the sizable marketing effort behind those Nespresso pods, which have popularised a premium drinking experience and brought quality coffee in a convenient package, right into the homes of many.

The same can also be said of consumer expectations when it comes to the compact crossovers. With the market now filled with competent rivals including the Peugeot 2008, Volkswagen T-Cross, Skoda Kamiq and the Renault Captur, shoppers here have come to expect no less than a trifecta of distinctive looks, a pleasant drive, and generous space in the cabin and boot from their stilted runabouts.

Does this new Opel Mokka have what it takes to satiate local tastebuds?

A nice full-bodied colour

To start, the Opel Mokka has plenty of visual punch to set it well ahead of its rivals. The sharp and angular design couples with proportions that are pleasing to the eyes, and I especially love how the front fascia sticks out ahead of the rest of the body to give the car a bulldog-like strong jawline for some added road presence.

And if you need more visual distinctiveness yet, you'll do well to opt for your Mokka in this Matcha Green that you see in these pictures, which is so bright there's no chance you'll miss it in a carpark, even if have not yet had your morning cup of Joe.

Brewed at the right temperature

Drive the Opel Mokka and it continues to impress. The 1.2-litre three-cylinder that powers this Opel is no stranger to us now, having served duty in a wide range of Peugeots and Citroens, and in this Mokka, it continues to deliver on its lovely off-beat thrum, alongside a respectable 13.8km/L fuel economy as tested.

And with only 1,220kg of car to shove, this engine's high torque output of 230Nm from a lowly 1,750rpm also endows the Opel Mokka with quite an enjoyable light-footedness. This, coupled with the fact that cabin insulation levels in the Opel Mokka are high, make the car quite the enjoyable thing to drive as you make your daily trips to and back from work.

Show the Opel Mokka a nice set of turns and it also takes them all in its stride, with a suspension setup that is slightly on the firm side, allowing it to arrest body roll neatly while still isolating passengers within from sharper edges and bumps on the road.

From a perfectly measured grind

Slow things down a bit and there's also plenty to rest your eyes upon in the cabin of the Opel Mokka.

Apparent build quality in the cabin of the Opel Mokka is high, and the silver surrounding the air-conditioning vents, alongside the faux carbon fibre on the dashboard does well to break up an interior that is otherwise covered mostly in black surfaces.

Opel describes the new Pure Panel display, which merges a 12-inch instrument panel with a 10-inch infotainment screen, as having been 'de-toxed' of any unnecessary clutter, all done in an effort to minimise driver distraction. And the system works, presenting all the necessary driving information in a clear and readable manner.

Changing settings within the system is also an easy task, thanks to the addition of physical buttons for quick access to the sub-menus. I'm certain many will also find the use of physical buttons for the air-conditioning controls here a great boon.

Get relegated to the rear however, and things are not as rosy. Knee and leg room in the Opel Mokka is acceptable for the standards of the class, but you don't have to be tall to find yourself wanting for additional head room. And the short rear doors, coupled with the car's tall door sills also make getting in and out of the second row quite the task.

And it's not as if the Opel Mokka offers plenty of space aft of the second row as well. Luggage capacity here stands at just 350 litres, which is short on the 434 litres offered from the Peugeot 2008 with which it shares its underpinnings.

For a mighty fine brew

Passenger and cargo appointments aside, the Opel Mokka presents itself as a mighty appealing cuppa, and it all can be yours from $143,500, which admittedly, is higher than that of the Peugeot 2008, which starts at $138,888, or the Renault Captur, which starts at $135,999 (all prices as of 13 May 2022).

But for those that value the Opel Mokka's enticing looks and punchy drivetrain, it should be a fair premium to pay. I suspect there's plenty of Singaporeans out there will be willing to cough up the difference, just to get exactly what they want.


In the market for a compact crossover? There's also these alternatives to consider:

The Peugeot 2008 also offers a quirky and different exterior design, along with a unique cabin layout

The Volkswagen T-Cross meanwhile, offers strong power despite its 1.0-litre engine, along with a taut chassis

Or you might be interested in the Renault Captur, with its powerful 1.3-litre unit and practical sliding rear bench

There's also the Honda HR-V to consider, with a completely new exterior design, along with a mighty comfortable interior

Want to see more of this green mighty machine? We review the Opel Mokka here in this handy video as well!