Since its launch in 2012 the Vauxhall Mokka crossover has been one of the bestselling small SUVs on the market, frequently breaking into the top ten sellers list in the UK.

Regardless of its sales prowess, the Mokka hasn’t exactly been the ideal specimen when it comes to driveability or luxury. Vauxhall has acknowledged this however with a new Mokka for 2017 – the Mokka X.

No, it isn’t a separate derivative, the ‘X’ simply notates that the Mokka belongs to Vauxhall’s SUV family, and it will become the new standard namesake for all of Vauxhall’s future SUVs. So what has changed then?

The Mokka X now features sleeker front and rear bumpers, there is a new 150bhp 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine and, most significantly of all, its cabin has been completely reconfigured, mirroring that of the new Astra hatchback.

So, its drive and dimensions haven’t changed, but it is now more stylish and its interior is more up-market. Will that be enough to keep up the head of steam in the sales department and fend off competition from the likes of the Mazda CX-3, Nissan Juke and Peugeot 2008?

Performance

The facelift brings with it the addition of a 150bhp 1.4-litre turbo petrol, the same petrol available in the Astra hatchback. We, however, tested the 108bhp 1.6-litre ‘whisper’ diesel variant mated to a six-speed manual, which has previously replaced the highly-unrefined 1.7-litre diesel engine originally offered in the Mokka.

On paper the 108bhp 1.6-litre diesel offers a conservative sprint time of 11.5 seconds, but its pulling power is actually quite eye-catching at 300Nm. Although there is plenty of boost when the turbo spools up, all the Mokka’s power comes quickly and abruptly at the 2,000rpm mark, leaving very little oomph either side of that marker.

This is especially frustrating when continue acceleration is a must at higher speeds and when pulling out of junctions in the city. In fact, you’ll probably find yourself changing up to second gear before getting out of the junction.

The six-speed manual gearbox is fairly snappy though, with our only real qualm being its slight reluctance to switch from second to third.

Ride and Handling

Venture onto a twisty road or motorway at higher speeds and you will be met with plenty of wind, road and engine noise, as well as a fidgety ride that bounces over big bumps and shudders over smaller ones.

The Mokka still offers the choice of front-wheel drive and 4x4 models, of which the former is the bestseller and the model we tested. As with most other crossovers, the Mokka X is fine for inner-city and urban driving. Its steering is light and easy to manoeuvre and its smaller SUV dimensions means it is a doddle when it comes to parking. The Mokka X still fails to offer anything exciting on the open road though. Venture onto a twisty road or motorway at higher speeds and you will be met with plenty of wind, road and engine noise, as well as a fidgety ride that bounces over big bumps and shudders over smaller ones. Cornering at speed isn’t much better either, as body lean is plentiful and the steering lacks feedback, not to mention the fact that the front-end can easily end up leaning out if you approach anything close to enthusiast driving. The Mokka X isn’t alone here though. Many of its rivals have the same style over substance pitfalls.

Interior and Equipment

The ‘X’ in Mokka X will be added to all upcoming Vauxhall SUVs.

With its new cabin identity, the Mokka has gone from having one of the most convoluted and outdated interiors, to having one of the most clean-cut and up-market ones – thanks to a design based on the Astra’s blueprints. Gone are the clusters of dials and buttons, in place of what is now an easy to digest layout of air-con controls which sit under a sophisticated IntelliLink touchscreen system. A few chrome highlights and soft-touch materials finish off the Mokka’s new character. With the new IntelliLink system comes a host of other benefits too, like the inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Vauxhall’s new OnStar function, which offers WiFi and a 24-hour advice service, amongst quirks. The Design Nav model we tested comes with an extensive list of standard equipment, including sat-nav, Bluetooth, DAB radio, LED daytime running lights, cruise control and dual-zone climate control. Practicality on the whole is impressive in the Mokka. Headroom is great, for passengers in the front and rear, and leg room is also in abundance. There are also numerous storage cubbies up front for driver and passenger to enjoy, including several large centre console storage compartments, two cup holders and dual door bins. Boot space stands at 356 litres with the seats in place and 1,371 litres with the seats down, which is just above the average in the crossover segment, being smaller than the Peugeot 2008 nut bigger than the Ford EcoSport. The rear seats however do take some contorting to fold down, as you’ll have to flip the rear seat bottoms forward, lover the headrests, then slot them into place. You end up with a flat loading surface, but it is still a bit fiddly.

Cost

Price wise, the Mokka X is a little pricier than its sub-£15,000 rivals, at £17,500. Our test model costs closer to £20,000.

The 108bhp 1.6-litre diesel is the most efficient engine in the range, emitting just 103g/km of CO2. It claims an average return of 72.9mpg, although our test saw an average between 40 to mid-50s on test. Price wise, the Mokka X is a little pricier than its sub-£15,000 rivals, at £17,500. Our test model costs closer to £20,000. Something to bear in mind however is the generous standard kit that comes with the Mokka X, so the larger list price you pay for the Mokka may just be all relative.

Our Verdict

The Vauxhall Mokka is still rather underwhelming to drive. But time has already proven that this doesn’t deter buyers. With a much better interior and enhanced exterior styling, the Mokka X should prove even more popular with buyers and continue to rake in sales. No, it isn’t the most exciting crossover to drive, but it’s practical, well-equipped and ticks the all-important compact, city-dwelling SUV box when it comes to style.