IT MAY SEEM odd to have two similar-sized cars from the one company battling it out for sales in the same segment, but that’s exactly what Opel has with its Mokka X and new Crossland X.
Retailing at €21,995, the Crossland X is just €500 more expensive than its older sister. So what’s the difference, really?
First, let’s talk build. Both cars sit in the B-SUV segment, but the Mokka X is a much more rugged vehicle aimed at buyers who like to get out of the concrete jungle every now and then. The Crossland X, meanwhile, is designed to appeal to those who do more suburban runabouts.
In fact, in design and evolution, the Crossland takes more from the Meriva MPV than the Mokka X. Market trends show that buyers no longer want true MPVs, hence the Crossland’s SUV-MPV mix. It’s a combination we’ve already seen in the Peugeot 3008.
That mix of styles is Crossland X’s USP. It has the trendy and desirable design of an SUV combined with the roominess of an MPV.
The benefits of that tall roof on interior space is felt as soon as you sit in the cabin. Combined with the optional (€950) fixed panoramic glass roof panel with electrically operated sunblind, the car is wonderfully bright and airy. Even without the sunroof, there is plenty of light thanks to those tall side windows.
The cabin is practical too with plenty of storage areas and a decent-sized rear middle seat. Legroom and headroom is generous, and the boot is a useful 410 litres which can expand to 1,255 litres with the rear seats tumbled – large for this class of car.
Whilst the interior may be a little on the dull side, the quality is good, with a decent amount of soft-touch materials. However the over-reliance on hard and scratchy plastics does let the cabin down a little. As for the infotainment system, it looks clean and smart, plus the touchscreen is responsive with good clear graphics.
Opel knows that this car is going to appeal to families, so for added peace of mind there are plenty of safety features as standard: cruise control with speed adaptation, traffic sign recognition and lane departure warning.
Opel’s OnStar functionality also gives you a Wi-Fi hotspot with connectivity for up to seven devices – ideal when travelling with children, especially on long journeys.
For even more peace of mind, buyers can opt for parking assist systems and a ‘safety pack’ including a pedestrian detection system, forward collision alert, collision imminent braking and a driver drowsiness system.
Out on the road, you do feel the added height of the car but this is mainly when you are cornering. The steering is light and accurate, making the car easy to manoeuvre and there is great visibility all around. It is comfortable too but at higher speeds there is a fair bit of wind noise which might get annoying.
The car is well composed on motorways but it fidgets over smaller bumps, and can be a bit harsh over larger bumps too, although with the standard 16-inch wheels rather than the 17-inch ones I tested with, the experience might be different.
My test car was powered by the 1.6-litre CDTI diesel engine, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. The car felt a bit laboured when driving, but otherwise the torque-y nature of the diesel engine allowed for plenty of shove when up to speed.
Overall, once you sit inside the Opel Crossland X you can see the appeal over the Mokka X in terms of spaciousness. Indeed, this is its appeal over most of its rivals, including the Peugeot 2008 which shares the same platform.
Whilst the Crossland X has a (slightly!) more expensive starting price, it does come better equipped than the entry-level Mokka X. Unlike the Mokka X, there’s no four-wheel drive option, but if your only off-road time is the odd parking manoeuvre on a grassy verge, Opel’s brand new crossover is more than up to the job.
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