Vauxhall Mokka GSE Review: Can Enthusiasts Take This Electric Crossover Seriously?
When you first catch a glimpse of the latest performance compact crossover parked on the asphalt, you might find yourself squinting. Do I spy a carbon bonnet? Not quite. Instead, a striking black bonnet serves as just one of several visual giveaways that you are looking at no ordinary Vauxhall Mokka. There are the bright yellow brake calipers, enormous 20-inch alloy wheels, and, if you are a true aficionado of the brand’s compact line, you will immediately notice that it sits 10mm lower on its springs and features subtle negative camber on its wheels.
Is anyone truly a die-hard fan of this specific niche? That question points straight to the very reason this vehicle exists: to inject life into a Vauxhall lineup that historically under-indexes on passion, to borrow phrasing from corporate marketing presentations. In plain English, it is a brand that desperately needed a shot of adrenaline and a bit more bounce in its step.
What Does GSE Actually Stand For?
Nodding vaguely toward the legendary GTE and GSI badges of decades past, GSE now signifies Grand Sport Electric. The Vauxhall Mokka GSE draws its energy entirely from a plug, utilizing a 54kWh battery pack (51kWh usable) that feeds a front-mounted 276bhp electric motor to deliver surprisingly potent performance. Official manufacturer claims boast a 0-62mph sprint in 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 124mph.
Its official driving range peaks at 201 miles when fitted with standard Michelin Pilot Sport EV tires, though that figure ticks upward slightly to 209 miles if you opt for Goodyear Eagle F1 alternatives. That assumes you can match or exceed Vauxhall’s claimed efficiency of 3.4 miles per kilowatt-hour. Drive with enthusiasm on a twisty stretch of tarmac, however, and that figure quickly drops to around 2.0 mi/kWh. Take it onto a closed circuit for a track day, and you can expect to halve that efficiency once again.
A Mokka on a Race Track?
Surprisingly, the hardware underneath is engineered to handle it. Much like its Stellantis platform cousins—such as the Abarth 600e and Alfa Romeo Junior—there has been a thorough raiding of premium performance parts bins. The braking system is supplied by Alcon, reminiscent of an Aston Martin Valkyrie, featuring massive 380mm discs on the front axle. A Torsen limited-slip differential helps translate instant electric torque cleanly onto the pavement. Meanwhile, new steering knuckles and a quicker steering rack dramatically sharpen turn-in response.
The suspension overhaul represents a massive leap forward on paper, promising significantly stiffer body control and a hunkered-down stance. Of course, lowering a vehicle somewhat defeats the traditional packaging logic of a crossover, especially considering that this battery, motor, and component layout will soon find its way into a lower, tauter Vauxhall Corsa GSE.
So, How Does It Drive?
The short answer is surprisingly good. Having experienced early development prototypes in sunny Spain, transitioning to a challenging UK driving route provides the ultimate test of whether its ride quality can cope with broken British tarmac. Once again, the short answer is yes.
Enormous wheels paired with a short wheelbase mean the GSE always feels lively beneath you, requiring you to brace yourself slightly over severe potholes or sharp ruts into its supportive, standard-fit sports seats. Nevertheless, it is no more fidgety than numerous hot hatch competitors, and the engineering team has managed its 1.6-tonne mass—no small feat for a compact crossover—admirably well. Tightening up the spring rates keeps body motion tightly tethered, though the Mokka still rolls progressively as you lean on it mid-corner, keeping the driver engaged in the feedback loop.
Does this compromise handling? Fortunately, no. The Torsen differential helps pull you out of tight apexes with remarkable precision; you can trail-brake on entry and aggressively re-apply the throttle to rocket onto the next straight while the rear end obediently follows along. Pushing hard on a track reveals a playful chassis balance and a genuine willingness to rotate, echoing the spirit of legendary hot hatches from the late 20th century.
It never quite goes full hooligan, however. The electronic stability program (ESP) maintains a tight leash, and your only option for loosening those electronic reins is found within Sport mode, where engineers dial back the intervention just a fraction.
Behind the Wheel and Regenerative Braking
Sport mode also decouples regenerative braking, providing a purer, more linear pedal feel during aggressive driving. While an admirable idea in theory, it works directly against maximizing efficiency to protect those modest driving range figures. You can toggle regen back on via a tiny button next to the gear selector, though the system lacks multi-stage adjustability and—most notably—fails to provide steering wheel paddle shifters to adjust regen levels on the fly.
