Test drive Opel Mokka X: we give our blessing to the LPG version

The Opel Mokka X was already one of the hottest SUVs on the market, but with its LPG version it adds a number of ECO advantages that make it even more appealing.

We take the wheel of Opel’s SUV in its LPG version. A genuinely urban crossover, halfway between segment B and C, which left us with a good impression both on the road, thanks to its fuel savings, and in town, where it handles perfectly. Below, we tell you what we thought of the Opel Mokka X.

Opel Mokka X LPG

The Opel Mokka X is, in short, a thorough and well-judged update of the previous, standard Mokka. Both the exterior design and the level of finish took a step forward with this new generation, which has been on the market since late 2016. In that time, the small Opel SUV has established itself as one of the brand’s current flagships. The Mokka X was the second best-selling Opel model in 2018, with more than 14,500 units, behind only the Opel Corsa.

With these figures in mind, the Rüsselsheim company raised its bet on the model by adding to the range its corresponding ECO-labelled variant. This is the Opel Mokka X Ecotec LPG, which uses a 1.4-litre turbo engine producing 140 CV, with a 6-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive. This powertrain is available in three different trim levels (Selective, Design or Innovation) and has a starting price of €17,000, provided you take advantage of Opel’s current financing offer (valid until 31 December). A competitive price for one of those SUVs that always makes the shortlist when someone wants a car in this segment.

Thanks to the update, the Opel Mokka X adopted the brand’s new design language through the front grille that the rest of the range has been introducing, and a cabin with much better build quality and finishes. In addition, the infotainment system (version 4.0 of Opel’s IntelliLink system, compatible with Apple and Android) and its 7- or 8-inch touchscreen are really well resolved in both design and ease of use.

This Mokka X is, overall, a model with a very good level of fit and quality, as well as a notable performance in design and comfort. The driving position offers full visibility and is genuinely comfortable, even on longer journeys. As for space, the rear seats are acceptable for a car of this size, enough for two adults and a child, with two Isofix anchor points for two baby seats. What we can miss a little is cargo space, as the 356-litre boot is rather small compared with the competition. Still, for a weekend trip there is room for up to four cabin-size suitcases.

Driving dynamics

As we have said, our test unit had a 1.4-litre turbo engine with a maximum output of 140 CV. A understated powertrain that, without showing off, copes well in all kinds of situations, largely thanks to the good performance of its gearbox, a 6-speed manual. It has precisely calibrated travel and responds with great effectiveness and agility whenever we need a bit more “punch” in certain situations. That lack of strength becomes a little more noticeable when we switch to LPG mode, although it has not bothered us excessively during the days we spent testing the Mokka X.

We should start from a very simple premise: we are not behind the wheel of a dynamic car, so we are not going to go looking for thrills. The 140 CV of this Opel Mokka X are sufficient for everyday use, but they will not offer much excitement on winding roads, as you do not reach its full power until close to 5,000 rpm. Its long gearing gives maximum torque between 1,850 and 4,900 rpm, and it feels more responsive once you pass 2,000 rpm. It is a petrol engine that needs patience to pull from low revs, and it feels somewhat lazy at moving its 1,450 kg when you enter faster roads and the engine is less relaxed. But honestly, we should not ask much more of a car of its kind.

Overall, the Mokka X’s chassis offers stability and composure, holding the vehicle perfectly in normal driving conditions. Its response is very competent even at higher speeds on twisty roads, where it does lose some firmness and a more direct steering would be welcome. Nor is it advisable to venture off the tarmac if the ground is very broken or the track is difficult, due to the firmness of the suspension, understandable for greater agility in town but which affects how it absorbs bumps.

But, once again, we are dealing with an urban SUV, and the car’s setup is clearly designed to excel in town or on the road, where it feels most at home. Even so, our kilometres behind the wheel of the Opel Mokka X have been entirely satisfying, all the more so thanks to the fuel savings that running on LPG brings.

Why LPG?

But let’s get to the point, because if we get behind the wheel of a Opel Mokka X with a liquefied petroleum gas tank, we are talking precisely about LPG. An alternative fuel that offers range, savings and ECO advantages and which, thanks to all this, is starting to position itself as one of the best-placed forms of propulsion for the future. Of course, not everything is good news. Some of it is less good.

Let’s begin with refuelling, one of LPG’s clear drawbacks, mainly because filling stations with autogas pumps are still scarce in Spain. But also because refuelling with LPG is more awkward than the traditional kind. Filling an LPG tank is slower than diesel or petrol (though infinitely faster than recharging an electric car’s battery) and also more fiddly, since you have to fit the tank adapter before you can insert the pump nozzle. What a relief that these are the only problems!

We can complain about the slight loss of power that comes with using LPG. Once we switch to gas propulsion, we notice the engine loses a bit of punch. Much? Not at all. Don’t worry, because that small drop in power is more than made up for by the savings when filling the tank, although average consumption rises by about a litre per 100 kilometres compared with petrol.

But it is obvious that LPG has many more pros than cons. Its advantages over an electric vehicle are huge in terms of range, refuelling network and ease of refilling on the road. Until nitrogen gains momentum, LPG also stands out as an alternative fuel. Compared with diesel and petrol, it has two major advantages: the price per litre of LPG and the ECO label, increasingly important in urban centres. With this green label, LPG vehicles can enter central Madrid without being subject to the traffic restrictions imposed by the regional government. Yet the biggest impact of using LPG will be felt in the driver’s wallet. We detail this below.

Consumption and savings with LPG

During our test, the price of a litre of LPG at the filling station where we refuelled was €0.649, while 95 petrol stood at €1.279. We zeroed the trip meter, filled the tank for €31.03 (a total of 47.81 litres) and covered a distance of 423 kilometres across mountain roads, motorways and town. That works out to an average of 11.3 l/100 km.

Assuming petrol consumption would have been about a litre lower per 100 kilometres, let’s do the sums to quantify our savings. At an average of 10.3 l/100 km over the 423 kilometres driven, that comes to 43.57 litres needed to cover that distance. At the petrol price of those days, we would have spent €55.72 on the same route. In other words, over €24 saved.

So, having seen all this, I can say with complete confidence (now that we are all fed up with political news) that if LPG ever set up its own party, it would have my vote. And this Opel Mokka X is a good example of why I would not be wrong.