With manufacturers releasing compact crossovers left right and centre over the last few years, Vauxhall thought it appropriate to throw its own into the mix – the Vauxhall Mokka.

Launched in 2012, the Mokka aims at combining family car practicality with the style of an SUV. It also keeps compact dimensions similar to that of the Corsa supermini it is based on. Essentially, that means it has a raised ride height, chunkier appearance and large boot.

But with a surge in popularity for the crossover segment, comes plentiful competition. Among the Mokka’s contenders are the Nissan Juke, Peugeot 2008 and Renault Captur, and each is looking for the biggest slice of sales.

Performance

A range of petrol and diesel engines are available, but we tested the 1.4-litre turbo petrol unit mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. This produces 138bhp and can complete the 0-62mph sprint in 9.9 seconds. Both front-wheel drive and 4x4 models are available.

This sprint time just about manages to trump the Peugeot 2008 with its 1.6-litre petrol unit by 0.5 seconds. However, it sits in between the Nissan Juke’s 1.2-litre and 1.6-litre petrol variants in a straight line.

Thankfully the dated 1.7-litre diesel in the Mokka has been replaced by Vauxhall’s new 1.6-litre ‘whisper diesel’ – which offers 134bhp and is your best bet for all-round performance and fuel economy.

The six-speed manual gearbox in the Mokka is direct but the motion feels clunky, which is a shame as it constantly niggles at you as you drive.

Ride and Handling

When it comes to steering, the Mokka falls in line with its competitors in the fact that there is a definite lack of feedback.

One of the first things you may notice when driving the Mokka is its firm suspension. This applies especially if you live in an area blighted by pot holes or speed bumps. When it comes to steering, the Mokka falls in line with its competitors in the fact that there is a definite lack of feedback. At times it can be tough to keep track of where the front wheels are pointing. It is a mixed bag when it comes to cornering. Although its grip is great, there is plenty of body roll to detract from driving dynamics. Refinement is also an issue, although the new 1.6-litre diesel is much quieter than the 1.7 diesel previously fitted.

Interior and Equipment

The Vauxhall Mokka made its first public appearance at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.

Standard kit is quite generous in the Mokka, with the likes of steering wheel mounted controls, aircon and a digital radio all throw in. Our test car came fitted with the Tech Line trim, which is angled towards business drivers as it comes with parking sensors, Bluetooth connectivity, sat nav and cruise control. As with many other Vauxhall models however – the Astra hatchback for example - the button layout inside can be a little frustrating as it is incredibly clustered. To make family life a little easier, there are plenty of handy storage compartments dotted about the cabin. Practicality in the rear of the Mokka is also really impressive too, with tons of head and leg room, partially thanks to its taller stance. Boot space completes its practicality credentials with a standard size of 362 litres, which for the record is eight litres larger than the Juke – enough for an extra bag over the Juke. The Mokka’s boot space is also nearly identical to the 2008, but some rivals including the Captur (377 litres) and the Skoda Yeti (416 litres) offer more.

Cost

Starting at just under £17,000, the Mokka is considerably more expensive than the Renault Captur, Nissan Juke and Peugeot 2008.

The 1.4-litre petrol engine in the Mokka is disappointing when it comes to fuel economy. Even though this engine features stop-start technology as standard, realistically you will be lucky if you get 40mpg and CO2 is toward the 150g/km mark. The new 1.6-litre diesel reigns supreme in this category, with a claimed average of 65.7mpg and just 114g/km of CO2. Although these economy figures are impressive, the price of the Mokka really lets it down. Starting at just under £17,000, the Mokka is considerably more expensive than the Renault Captur, Nissan Juke and Peugeot 2008.

Our Verdict

The Mokka has plenty to boast about when it comes to practicality, but its hefty price tag simply cannot be ignored.  The Mokka feels brisk and with the 1.4-litre turbo petrol and the 1.6-litre diesel is fairly economical. The amount of standard kit you get is really impressive, too. However, the drive can often be rough and noisy and nothing about it really stands out next to rivals. In fact, in the majority of areas, the Mokka struggles to compete with the best in the compact crossover segment.