Opel Corsa-e and Mokka-e: we test drive the new electric models from Opel

Opel invites us to an “electrified” day, where they will give us an overview of their range of battery electric and plug-in hybrid models, and where we can choose two cars for a test drive from among all those available. A magnificent opportunity to drive the brand’s two electric cars on the same day and under the same conditions: the Opel Corsa-e and the Opel Mokka-e.

Let’s recall that, in addition to these electric versions of the city car and the SUV, Opel already has electric vans such as the Zafira-e Life and the Vivaro-e, as well as the Combo-e Life and the Combo-e Cargo. Added to these is the Grandland X PHEV plug-in hybrid. And there is more to come.

But let’s focus on two of the most interesting electric cars in their respective segments right now: the Corsa-e and the Mokka-e. Two models that look very different from the outside but share a platform and a one hundred percent electric propulsion system, and that are also available with combustion engines. But today we are here to talk about volts and amps.

The price factor: Opel Corsa-e vs Opel Mokka-e

In general, electric cars are still expensive compared with equivalent versions with combustion engines, and in the case of the Corsa and the Mokka there are such versions. But the purchase grants of the Plan Moves III completely change the outcome of this equation. And as long as you can benefit from these purchase grants, if you were considering an electric car the scales tip toward electric mobility.

What Opel tells us if we trust the brand’s configurator (you know, our recommendation is always to visit the dealership) is that the Opel Corsa-e in the entry-level Edition version has a list price of 31,200 euros, compared with 35,400 euros for the Mokka-e. This means, to begin with, that a Mokka-e costs 4,200 euros more than the Corsa.

But now discounts and the Moves III come into play. If you cannot benefit from the Moves III, the Corsa has a discount of 2,000 euros when financing the purchase, leaving it at 29,200 euros, versus the 34,900 euros the Mokka-e costs, to which only 500 euros of discount apply. The difference between the city car and the SUV in this case amounts to 5,700 euros.

With the Plan Moves, Opel adds a series of discounts that total 9,200 euros on the Corsa-e, whose price drops just below 20,000 euros, to 19,990 euros, to be exact. The same operation on the Mokka-e puts its price at 24,190 euros, about 4,200 euros more than the Corsa.

In summary: you can have a Corsa-e with all discounts for 20,000 euros, and a Mokka-e from 24,190 euros. The price difference between the two depends on whether you take advantage of the Plan Moves and whether you finance the purchase, but it is never less than 4,200 euros in favor of the Corsa.

Opel Corsa-e and Mokka-e: the propulsion system

Both cars use a platform already designed to be used both in versions with combustion engines and in these electric variants. The propulsion system uses a 100 kW (136 CV) and 260 Nm motor housed under the hood, where the combustion engine would go. The battery, with a capacity of 50 kWh (46 kWh usable), is split into two modules and placed under the floor, in the seating area. It is liquid-cooled and has an 8-year or 160,000 km warranty.

The range WLTP is 337 km for the Corsa-e, and up to 332 km for the Mokka-e. In both cases the onboard charger allows charging at a maximum power of 7.4 kW. From a 3.7 kW alternating current socket it would need about 17 hours for a full charge, and 8 hours at a wallbox at 7.4 kW. It accepts direct current charging with a maximum power of 100 kW, allowing a charge from 0 to 80% in 30 minutes, or recovering 100 km of range in 10 minutes. A three-phase 11 kW charger can optionally be requested.

In terms of power and torque, the motor is equivalent to what a modern small-displacement turbocharged petrol engine typically offers. It is not a spectacular figure compared with what other electric cars offer today, several of which come with two battery options, such as the Hyundai Kona. But the characteristics of electric motors make it more than sufficient for agile driving, even in the case of the Mokka, which is larger, though curiously it does not weigh much more: just 70 kg of difference.

Driving impressions: at the wheel of the Mokka-e and Corsa-e

The system lets you choose between three driving modes, which limit power delivery and also modify the steering response. In ECO mode you have about 80 CV, rising to about 110 CV in Normal mode. Torque is also limited, to about 180 Nm in the first case and 220 Nm in the second. Maximum power and maximum thrust are available in Sport mode, or in either of the previous modes if at any moment you floor the accelerator and overcome the resistance the pedal offers.

There are no paddles on the steering wheel, but you can choose between the D and B modes on the gear lever in the Corsa, or on the buttons on the centre console in the Mokka. In the latter, replacing the lever with buttons frees up the console, but when switching between the energy recovery levels, for example to lose speed when driving in town without having to rely much on the brakes, it is more awkward. Being able to do it from the steering wheel would be appreciated, for example.

In performance there is not much difference. The top speed is limited to 150 km/h in both, and the acceleration figures are 8.1 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h in the Corsa-e, versus 9 seconds in the Mokka-e. Because of its sporty image, and also its greater size and weight, plus the fact that it uses larger tyres (215/65-16 versus the standard 195/55-16), the Mokka-e would not say no to twenty extra horsepower or to exceeding 300 Nm of torque. But it is by no means a slow car.

Even less so in the case of the Corsa-e, which has a more urban approach. The agility and smoothness it shows when driving around town make the Corsa-e a very pleasant car. And on the open road you will not miss more power: its performance is more or less equivalent to that of the petrol Corsa with the 130 CV engine, but with superior driving enjoyment.

As for consumption, the most realistic expectation is a range of about 270 km for the Corsa, and around 250 km for the Mokka-e, depending on driving style. They can exceed 300 km, but setting this figure as a benchmark is risky. Especially if you drive on the motorway, where the 13 kWh/100 km urban consumption the Corsa-e can reach (slightly more for the Mokka-e) easily rises to 20 kWh/100 km, and is exceeded in the Mokka. This means that, for long trips, the sensible approach is to plan stops every 200 km… and keep an eye on the energy gauge in the instrument cluster.

Seen from the outside, side by side, the Mokka-e looks much more like a car (which is what the SUV design and silhouette do), but when driving them there is not so much difference. The Mokka feels a bit more settled, but the two have a very similar feel, with steering that is too sensitive in ECO or Normal mode as the only point for improvement. The engine never puts the chassis under strain, the brakes have good feel, and driving is simple, safe and rewarding.

City car or SUV? Budget decides

Choosing between the Corsa-e or the Mokka-e is easy: your budget will make the decision. Both are valid choices for more than just urban use, although the Mokka is more comfortable for travelling thanks to its extra space, and it also offers more boot capacity: 310 litres, against the Corsa’s 270. Another thing they have in common is that both are competitive on price against their rivals. For the Corsa-e, we could look at an Peugeot e-208, or a Renault ZOE. For the Mokka, the Peugeot e-2008, or the entry version of the new Hyundai Kona.

In general, aesthetically speaking, the Mokka appeals much more than the Corsa. And I include myself. You know how it is: the SUV trend, and without taking anything away from Opel, which has designed a very attractive Mokka with plenty of personalisation options (two-tone roof, contrast-colour bonnet), although that raises the bill.

But there is another aspect of the Mokka that, from behind the wheel, makes you feel you are in a car that, a priori, justifies the price difference over the Corsa, even though mechanically they are equivalent. I am referring to the cabin, which has much more presence and more technological content. Of course, to get it you need to go for the best-equipped versions, with the spectacular 12-inch instrument cluster (the standard one is 7 inches), and the 10-inch multimedia screen (again, the standard one is 7 inches).

This is where the Mokka-e sets itself apart, since the small Corsa does not reach its level of digitalisation, although it does not fall behind in connectivity or technological equipment options, with matrix LED headlights available as an option, among other things.