The Electric Rebel That Shatters the SUV Mold
The brand-new Opel/Vauxhall Mokka GSe, Europe’s quickest electric compact SUV. From its rally-bred origins to its plush interior, rocket-like acceleration, safety features– this in-depth review uncovers why the Mokka GSe might be your next electric thrill ride.
Way back when, electric cars were the quiet kids in the auto playground—reticent, hesitant, and all about tree-hugging rather than tire-smoking. Cut to 2025, and Opel went and seized that stereotype by the charging port and zapped it into oblivion. Welcome the Opel/Vauxhall Mokka GSe —a compact CUV with the soul of a rally car and the etiquette of a European gentleman.
This is not merely an electric Mokka. It’s a espresso shot on wheels, a performance car that believes it’s on the race track, and still manages to be polite enough to take the kids to school without making your back feel like it’s just ridden a WRC event.
The Origin Story:
Opel’s electric switch hasn’t been about catching up. The German manufacturer has been quietly electrifying its line-up with the Mokka Electric already a success. But they desired more. More power. More panache. More noise (well, figuratively). The GSe badge returns—*Grand Sport Electric* to fans keeping track—restoring Opel’s history of performance, but this time without the petrol shame.
In a twist of irony, Opel drew on learnings from its old motorsport heritage, specifically from the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup, to add actual performance DNA to the new GSe. The engineers didn’t simply add a larger motor; they redesigned the chassis, stiffened the suspension, and consulted with rally specialists to optimize the drivetrain for actual-world thrills.
Step Inside: Where Sportiness Meets Sustainability
Open the door and you’re met with what can best be called a sports lounge on wheels of luxury. The seats trimmed in Alcantara with yellow stitching are comforting but supportive, the flat-bottom steering wheel provides that performance driving feel, and the digital cockpit keeps things clean and sharp.
No plasticky rubbish here. It all feels tangible, solid, and nicely screwed together. There’s an intentional sparsity—but not boring sparsity. Think Scandinavian design with a motorsports spin.
Features are:
10″ infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay& Android Auto
GSe-exclusive performance readouts (yes, there is a G-force readout)
Heated steering wheel and seats
Ambient lighting that shifts depending on your driving mode (subtle boast, Opel)
Available head-up display and panoramic roof for the luxury crowd among us
Alcantara door trim, aluminum pedals, and contrast stitching on a wide range of features
Even the interface is well-considered. You don’t find yourself under submenus; rather, there’s haptic feedback, physical controls for major features, and very little screen lag. It’s driver-designed, by drivers.
Performance: It’s Got Torque, Baby
The GSe comes packing a serious punch: 207 kW (280 hp) and 345 Nm of torque. And unlike most small SUVs, this one doesn’t wait around.
You’re looking at 0–100 km/h in around 5.9 seconds. That’s hot hatch territory.
It’s front-wheel drive, yes, but don’t let that fool you. Thanks to a Torsen limited-slip differential, rally-inspired suspension, and Michelin Pilot Sport EV tires, this thing grips like a gecko on espresso.
Three drive modes—Eco, Normal, and Sport—alter throttle response and steering feel. Sport makes it a real backroad blaster. The steering’s direct, the body remains flat, and the electric torque slams hard.
True brilliance lies in the suspension system. Engineers redesigned the front MacPherson struts and stiffened the rear torsion beam almost 189% stiffer than the stock Mokka. Not puff — on twisty alpine roads or German autobahns, the GSe can do a surprisingly aggressive drive.
Safety: No Thrills Without the Chills
You need speed, of course. But not without an army of virtual spectators safeguarding your rear. Fortunately, the GSe doesn’t go light on safety features:
Forward Collision Alert with Automatic Emergency Braking
Lane Departure Warning and Assist
Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go
Blind Spot Alert
Traffic Sign Recognition
360-degree cameras to park like a pro
All this is supported by Opel’s newest e-Architecture, enabling rapid response times and integration with live services for over-the-air updates, diagnostic notifications, and remote safety functionalities through the My Opel app.
Everyday Hero: Range, Charging, and Practicality
Yes, it’s fast. But is it useable? Indeed.
Battery: 54 kWh (usable 50.8 kWh)
Range: Approx. 403 km WLTP
Charging:
DC Fast: 10-80% in 30 mins
AC Home: Charged to full in 5 hrs (11 kW wallbox)
Boot capacity is around 350 liters, plenty of room for your shopping, equipment, or weekend luggage. It’s not a Range Rover, but watch out, it’s a hot hatch masquerading as an SUV.
A flat floor, reasonable rear legroom, and a surprisingly small turning circle see this EV equally content in the roads of Paris as it does on the B-roads of Bavaria.
Pricing and Where to Find It (Europe)
Mokka GSe should launch at €45,000 or so, spec and market dependent. Not a bad place to be when it out-dances hot hatches but gets the EV incentives in most European nations.
Launch Timeline:
Debut: IAA Mobility Show, Munich, Sept 2025
Deliveries: Begin late 2025 in Germany, France, UK
Availability: Opel in the EU, Vauxhall in the UK
It’s aggressively priced when you include average kit, performance, and build quality. In comparison to the Abarth 600e or Peugeot e-2008 GT, it offers more bang for your euro.
Pros and Cons (Without the Tables)
What We Love:
Blistering acceleration in a small package
Sporty but comfortable interior
Real-world EV range thanks to fast charging
Rally-sourced chassis and suspension
Looks that actually turn heads in a parking lot
Access to performance without premium badge markup
What We Don’t:
No AWD option for the moment
Smaller boot than some competitors
Performance nibbles into range
Expensive compared to base Mokka Electric (but worth it?)
Not yet on sale outside Europe
Final Verdict: An EV With Swagger
The Opel/Vauxhall Mokka GSe is what one comes up with when designers are tired of designing “pragmatic” electric vehicles. It’s fast, fashionable, fun, and remarkably elegant. Whether you’re driving to work in Berlin, speeding around the Alps, or just need something to show off in the charging station—this could be the best of both worlds, efficiency and enthusiasm.
This EV has not come to fit in. It has come to make waves, both figuratively and electrically. The Mokka GSe is small in stature but big in power and tech.
FAQs
Q: Is the Opel MokkaGSe an electric car?
Yes, it is a full-electric performance SUV with zero emissions and a maximum range of 403 km.
Q: In what way is the MokkaGSe distinct from the normal Mokka Electric?
It has a more substantial motor (280 hpvs 156 hp), sport suspension, GSe design, and rally-tuned handling.
Q: Is it on sale in the UK?
Yes, badged as a Vauxhall. Expect deliveries to commence early in 2026.
Q: Can I charge the MokkaGSe quickly?
Yes, of course. It is DC fast charging capable, charging 10-80% in only 30 minutes.
Q: Is the MokkaGSe worthwhile?
If you need a performance EV that’s a good to drive, stands out from the rest of crowd, and is practical for use every day—yes, it’s worth every penny.
Q: How does it stack up versus competition such as Abarth 600e or Peugeot e-208 GTI?
The MokkaGSe provides more space inside and a smoother ride, yet retains similar performance.
