SA Road Tests

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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. I drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under real-world South African conditions. Most, but not all, the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.

My most recent drive is on the home page. Archived reviews and opinion pieces are in the active menu down the left side. Hover your cursor over a heading or manufacturer's name and follow the drop-down.


The X factor: 2017 Opel MOKKA X, 1.4T Enjoy mt6

Shout it out

Posted: 12 March 2017

The numbers
Base price: R317 500
Engine: 1364 cc, DOHC 16-valve, four-cylinder turbocharged
Power: 103 kW between 4900 and 6000 rpm
Torque: 200 Nm between 1850 and 4900 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 9.8 seconds
Maximum speed: 196 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 6.9 l/100 km
Tank: 52 litres
Luggage: 356 – 785 litres
Maximum (braked) towing mass: 1200 kg
Ground clearance (fully loaded): 131 mm
Warranty: 5 years / 120 000 km
Service plan: 5 years / 90 000 km at annual or 15 000 km intervals

Opel’s Mokka has, since it was introduced here two years ago, been a nice little earner that averages just over 100 units per month thanks to its willing 1400 cc turbo engine, plentiful luggage space and generous passenger room. A further neat touch is acres of head space allowing tall drivers to raise their chairs to take full advantage of that high-up SUV outlook.

Coinciding with a mild facelift and equipment upgrade this past November, Opel decided to join MINI and KWID in making its little city SUV more noticeable by adding some “shout” to its name. Mokka is thus now MOKKA and it adopts an -X suffix by which Opel will identify future SUV and Crossover models.

Up front, new headlamp clusters combine daytime running lights and LED technology. Opel also revised interiors with new black cloth trim for each level, a new infotainment system with R4.0 Intellilink and improved driver display for Cosmo (optional on Enjoy), and a new dash with revised instruments and vents. Options for Cosmo variants include Navi900 Intellilink and a premium lighting package consisting of LED rear lights and adaptive forward lighting with auto-levelling and integrated cornering function.
 
The four-model range remains the same with one engine; the familiar 1400 cc turbopetrol, two trim levels, Enjoy and Cosmo, and choice of six-speed manual and automatic gearboxes. Our test car was an entry-level Enjoy manual which, despite its lower status, was fitted with most of the “must-haves” buyers want.

These include alloy wheels with 215/60 R17 tyres; tilt-and-telescope steering wheel with satellite controls; disc brakes front and rear with ABS, EBD and BAS; ESP; six airbags, speed-sensitive power steering; fog lights front and rear; tyre pressure monitoring; powered windows and mirrors; electronic climate control; cruise control with speed limiter; Eco drive assist, an onboard computer and remote central locking.

Cosmo level gains 19” wheels, heated steering wheel, rear privacy glass, active high-beam assist, warmed and ergonomically enhanced leather seats with height adjustment for the passenger, rain sensing wipers, auto-dimming rearview mirror, reversing camera and parking beepers.

MOKKA is perky and easy to drive with a clear view outward, comfortable seats with firm support, a smooth and positive gearbox, enough space for big left feet to find the footrest and it handles and parks easily. The loading sill is just above mid-thigh for most people, its floor is flat (like most SUVs), there are all the hooks, rings and stash places you want, it’s lit and the seatbacks fold down from behind if you want them to. You will have to open doors, to lift and tumble the squabs, if you need a flat floor though. The spare is a steel spacesaver.

Tall backseat passengers will be thankful for sufficient headroom, generous space for knees and comfortable foot space below the front seats. Medium sized middle riders will welcome the fact that the central hump isn’t unduly high and everyone back there enjoys a head restraint and full belt. Storage space isn’t too generous with narrow door bins and only one seatback pocket. There is no central armrest and therefore no cup holders either; but does anyone actually use those things?

Conclusion: MOKKA, with or without all-caps, is compact (4.3 metres long), nimble, spacious, well built, economical and good value at today’s prices. It deserves to sell more.

Test unit from GMSA press fleet

The launch report on the 2015 Mokka is here

We reviewed it here

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What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.

I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material.

If ever I place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with a very similar vehicle already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.

Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. There are no advertisers and no “editorial policy” rules. I add bylines to acknowledge sponsored launch functions and the manufacturers or dealerships that provide the test vehicles.  And, as quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so you can see I do actually exist.

Comments?
Want to ask a question, comment or just tell me you completely disagree with what I say? If you want advice or have a genuine concern, I will be happy to hear from you. All I ask is that you write something in the subject line so I know which vehicle you're talking about.

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