2016 Opel Mokka

VEHICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Opel Mokka

Opel’s Mokka doesn’t shout for attention, but it’s quietly elbowing its way into a corner of the compact SUV market that’s usually reserved for the likes of VW’s T-Cross, Renault’s Kiger, and Suzuki’s Vitara. On paper at least, Opel is promising a dash of Euro sophistication without making you pay Audi money, but the engine lineup is a mix of old and new: the familiar 1.4-litre turbo from the Mokka X era, plus the fresher 1.2-litre turbo in the current car. Manual or automatic, your choice depends on trim. Glance at classifieds and you’ll spot just seven Mokkas — from R139,500 up to a punchy R529,900 — and the split is obvious: affordable, older Mokka X stock for the budget crowd, and then the latest GS models priced like they’re aiming to keep their mileage low and their spec sheets shiny. Six out of those seven cars are used, so if you’re hoping for a new Mokka, you’d better be patient or lucky. Most options are the 1.4T Enjoy and Cosmo, living in the R139,500 to R169,900 bracket, typically showing 120,000km or more — not unexpected, but you’ll want to budget for maintenance. The two newer 1.2T automatics (GS A/T at R269,995 and GS Line A/T at R529,900) are the real step forward, with sharper design, better physical switchgear, and an interior that feels a notch above the Kiger, especially for daily life in Jozi traffic. And that’s the point: the Mokka’s got a bit more personality than a T-Cross and, if you pack smart, keeps up on comfort with the Vitara. For South Africans who want something a little different, that might be all the reason you need.