Introduction to the 2026 Opel Mokka GSE
Opel introduced the second-generation Mokka in 2021, signalling a shift in the brand's design language and adding electrification to the company's compact crossover. In 2025, Opel updated the battery of the electric variant to extend its driving range between charges.
The all-electric Mokka GSE is the clear range-topper with a notable increase in performance compared to the other models in the lineup. In addition to a more powerful electric motor, Opel's chassis engineers have fitted bigger brakes, tuned the steering for accuracy and installed uprated suspension that lowers the ride height and improves the handling.
Visual changes include a sportier bumper, GSE branding and an interior featuring upgraded sports seats.
With the compact crossover segment being such a popular one, there is no shortage of rivals, but few brands offer high-performance variants. Fellow Stellantis stablemate, Alfa Romeo, has the Junior Veloce, Cupra has the Formentor VZ5 with a turbocharged five-cylinder engine and there's also the MINI Aceman John Cooper Works to consider.
Pros & cons of the 2026 Opel Mokka GSE
Pros:
• Genuinely fun to drive
• Nice GSE upgrades
• Compact size
Cons:
• Limited boot space
• Don't expect huge real-world range
• Likely high price
Exterior & design of the 2026 Opel Mokka GSE
• Sporty 20-inch wheels
• Optional black bonnet
• Lower suspension
Even though the Mokka design has been around for a few years now, it remains a modern-looking and stylish compact crossover, certainly a big step on from its predecessor.
The GSE treatment evolves that one step further with a bespoke front bumper design, and the option of a black bonnet, which is a nod to Opel's motorsport past.
Other visual upgrades include the fitment of 20-inch wheels and suspension that is lowered by 10mm in comparison the standard car.
The combination of the new bumper, larger wheels and reduced ride height gives the Mokka GSE a more purposeful image and stance. Those larger wheels also help to show off the upgraded braking system that features bright yellow four-piston calipers on the front axle.
The rear end doesn't have as much of an impact, attractive as it is. A contrasting black roof is standard, whether you go for the black bonnet or not, and it forms a strong line with the C-pillar.
A thin horizontal light signature makes the Mokka easily identifiable from the rear, and the back bumper design nicely rounds off the package.
Dimensions of the 2026 Opel Mokka GSE
Length: 4,150mm
Width: 1,787mm
Height: 1,506mm
Wheelbase: 2,561mm
Paint colours for the 2026 Opel Mokka GSE
There are six exterior colours to choose from for the Opel Mokka GSE: Grafik Grey, Perla Black, Kolibri Blue, Tropikal Green, Jade White and Grey Artense. The latter is the colour shown in this review.
Interior, practicality, tech & comfort of the 2026 Opel Mokka GSE
• Comfortable sports seats
• Dual-screen digital dashboard
• Alcantara upholstery
The Opel Mokka GSE has much the same modern and clean design on the inside as other Mokkas, thanks in part to the 'Pure Panel' layout that encloses two digital displays in a single, angled piece.
Beneath the touchscreen is a physical volume knob and two shortcut buttons for the menu system. We're also happy to see proper physical controls for the temperature and climate settings.
The wireless phone charger is useful and there are USB-C charge ports plus a 12-volt power socket as well. A grey metallic finish to the centre console and dashboard fascia in front of the passenger matches the doors, which also contain Alcantara panels.
Getting comfortable in the driver's seat
Whilst the GSE's sports seats do have larger bolstering for support, they aren't any harder to get in or out of compared to those in other Mokka models. They were manually adjustable, which is a bit disappointing considering the Mokka GSE's status in the lineup.
The Alcantara upholstery looks and feels good, fitting in well with the GSE's sporty remit. Opel also provides sufficient amounts of steering column adjustment for both reach and rake.
Infotainment and technology
You get two 10-inch displays as standard in the Opel Mokka GSE, which are housed within a single, slightly angled dashboard setup.
Behind the nicely sized multifunction steering wheel is a simple digital instrument display. It doesn't overload you with distracting graphics or information but lays everything out in a sensible way.
Similarly, the touchscreen has a simple layout that includes a GSE-specific menu that shows additional performance metrics, including a G-force meter, acceleration values such as a recordable 0-100km/h sprint and battery management details.
Of more relevance to more buyers is that there are wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay available with the touchscreen.
Practicality around the cabin
The Mokka is a compact car so you can't expect it to have big-car storage and space. A central storage area that doubles up as the location for the wireless charging pad is fine for oddments, while the centre console has two cupholders, one of which has a deeper base for taller cups. The small centre armrest lifts to reveal a compact bin, though it's not that deep.
Rear-seat passenger space
The regular Opel Mokka doesn't have massive amounts of rear passenger space, and the GSE is much the same. In Opel's defence, the new sports seats do have curved backs, meaning there's an acceptable amount of rear kneeroom and, depending on the positions of the front seats, there is a little bit of room to stretch feet out beneath them.
While there are three seatbelts in the Mokka GSE's rear, it's best to view it as a four-seat car, as the centre position in the back is very narrow.
Fitting child seats to the Opel Mokka GSE
The Opel Mokka GSE is equipped with two ISOFIX child seat mounting points in the outer rear seats. Reasonably sized and practically shaped door apertures make it easy enough to access these, but as the middle seat is quite narrow, don't expect to be able to fit much else in there if you have two child seats already fitted.
Boot space in the Opel Mokka GSE
Part of the Mokka GSE's compact design means that you don't get a huge amount of boot space. The compact crossover accommodates 310 litres. Fold down the rear seats, which have a 60:40 split, and the cargo capacity can increase to 1,060 litres.
Towing with the Opel Mokka GSE
The Opel Mokka GSE, like the Mokka Electric, does not have any towing capability. However, the petrol variant of the Mokka is rated to tow up to 1,500kg.
Safety in the Opel Mokka GSE
Euro NCAP assessed the Opel Mokka when it was launched in 2021, and it achieved a four-star safety rating. A 73 per cent score for adult occupant protection and 75 per cent for child occupant was average for the class at the time, but it lost marks for only achieving a 58 per cent rating for protecting vulnerable road users. The safety assist score for the Mokka was 64 per cent. Read the full Euro NCAP report on the Opel Mokka here.
Today's Opel Mokka is compliant with GSR 2 (General Safety Regulation 2), which has become mandatory on all new passenger cars since July 2024. This means it must have autonomous emergency braking, driver drowsiness and attention warning, emergency lane keep assist and tyre pressure monitoring. Other standard safety equipment includes Intelli-Lux Matrix headlights, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear park assist and a 180-degree reversing camera system.
Performance of the 2026 Opel Mokka GSE
• Right amount of power for its size
• Tuned suspension and steering
• Clear differences between drive modes
The upgraded electric motor in the Opel Mokka GSE provides plenty of performance to make it feel brisk. While we are used to seeing frankly ridiculous power output numbers from electric vehicles, it feels as if Opel's engineers have struck the right balance in this instance.
The 280hp and 345Nm maximums are just about approaching the performance ceiling of the Mokka's chassis, especially given its front-wheel-drive layout. That power output varies with the selected drive mode, meaning only 190hp is available in Eco mode and 231hp in Normal mode.
A Torsen limited-slip differential is fitted to ensure traction is optimised. From a standing start, the Mokka GSE can accelerate to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds.
A GSE-specific suspension tune boosts overall performance, as do the upgraded brakes. The front axle uses four-piston Alcon calipers that grip 380mm discs, while the rear axle uses 268mm discs.
Driving the Opel Mokka GSE on the road and track in Spain - Dave Humphreys
Starting in the default Normal driving mode, capped at 231hp, the Mokka GSE is perfectly fine for daily driving. Pick-up is brisk, but it's the suspension setup that shines through right from the start.
The upgraded dampers use hydraulic bump stops for a better feel and they work with the lower ride height. Spring rates on the front are stiffer by 49 per cent with a 4 per cent increase in anti-roll stiffness, while the rear axle gets a 35 per cent stiffer spring rate and a more significant 189 per cent increase in anti-roll stiffness.
What all that translates to is a car that you can really push into corners, and it retains a very planted feel, with next-to-no body lean and seemingly endless amounts of grip.
The Michelin Pilot Sport tyres are never overwhelmed, and you can feel the Torsen mechanical limited-slip differential doing its work as you power out of bends.
The Sport mode not only gives the full 281hp but also switches the accelerator map to a 'Track mode' while also altering the steering, stability control and brakes.
This Track setting shuts down blending between energy recuperation and the friction brakes, meaning you get a more consistent and predictable pedal feel as it uses 100 per cent of the hydraulic performance.
Opel has fitted the Mokka GSE with a quicker steering rack, resulting in only 2.7 turns from lock to lock and a 10.4-metre turning circle. Further enhancing the precise handling is a new steering knuckle design. All of these changes come together to transform the Mokka GSE into a keen-handling and polished high-performance crossover.
To fully exploit what the Mokka GSE is capable of we took it to the Jarama track near Madrid. While we expect few Mokka GSE owners to do such a thing, it's fun to see just what it's capable of in the unfettered environment of a track.
The car's relatively low weight and the big brakes makes it easy to scrub off speed at the end of the long straight where we almost hit the Opel's 200km/h top speed. Under hard braking, the Alcon calipers bite hard and consistently, keeping the car stable and providing nice amounts of feel to allow for modulation when easing back off the pedal.
As with the on-road experience, the suspension shines on track, comfortably soaking up quick direction changes through the undulating lap. Importantly, it gives plenty of confidence to really lean on it in the faster corners.
Range, battery, charging and running costs of the 2026 Opel Mokka GSE
• Official range of 336km
• 100kW DC charging
• Only 11kW on AC
The 54kWh (gross) battery in the Mokka GSE represents a slight increase on what was previously available in the Mokka Electric.
That car was criticised for not being all that efficient, especially at motorway speeds. The official WLTP range of the Opel Mokka GSE is 336 kilometres, and the combined energy consumption is between 17.9- and 18.4kWh/100km.
Real-world range and efficiency of the Opel Mokka GSE
Naturally, we did spend some time exploring the performance limits of the Opel Mokka GSE, and that meant we paid less attention to driving efficiently.
Nonetheless, we did expect it to discharge its battery at a faster rate than it actually did. Leaving aside the track sessions, on the road, it returned an energy consumption figure of 21.9Wh/100km over a mixed driving route that included some enthusiastic driving.
At that rate of consumption, the range is just shy of 250 kilometres, down a good bit compared to the official number. No doubt it can be more efficient if you can resist the performance on offer.
Servicing the Opel Mokka GSE
The first service for the Opel Mokka GSE is at 12,500 kilometres or 12 months, then every two years or 25,000 kilometres. Opel also runs a 'Service Club' that provides discounts on parts based on the service interval.
Opel Mokka GSE warranty
The Opel Mokka GSE is covered by a three-year warranty with unlimited mileage for the first two years and then a maximum mileage of 100,000 kilometres from the date of first registration for the third year. The traction battery is covered by an eight-year or 160,000-kilometre warranty to a 70 per cent capacity.
Irish pricing & rivals to the 2026 Opel Mokka GSE
• No Irish pricing yet
• Set to arrive in Q1 2026
• Buyers can specify grippier tyres
At the time of driving the Mokka GSE, Opel Ireland had not yet confirmed retail pricing. But with it being the range-topping high-performance model, it will obviously be the most expensive car in the lineup and is likely to have a price in the region of €50,000.
Verdict - should you buy the 2026 Opel Mokka GSE?
If you're looking for a compact electric crossover that is quite good fun to drive, then the Opel Mokka GSE should be on your consideration list. It has a good amount of power and performance without overwhelming the front-wheel-drive chassis.
FAQs about the 2026 Opel Mokka GSE
Is there an AWD Opel Mokka?
No, the Opel Mokka Electric and Mokka GSE are front-wheel drive only.
Want to know more about the 2026 Opel Mokka GSE?
If there's anything about the Opel Mokka GSE we've not covered, or you'd like help in choosing between it and other cars, you can avail of our expert advice service via the Ask Us Anything page.
