Drive Review: Opel Adam Rocks (2016) EcoFlex

It’s become a bit of a trend to take a little hatchback and give it dose of “ruggedness” with some added plastic cladding and hike up the ground clearance a bit. Yes, I’m talking about the newest crossover on the block, the little Adam Rocks from Opel.

Opel Adam Rocks road test SA

The Adam was a revelation for Opel. Slick looking, sporty performing hatch, it boosted some much needed appeal into the dull German brand.

And it didn’t stop there. Opel has gone on to follow the likes of Toyota with the Etios Cross and the VW Polo Cross by giving the petite hatch a few cosmetics ‘off-road’ tweaks. Perhaps it’s to stay relevant or maybe there is a market for these rugged hatches (Opel recently launched the Adam S, a slightly more performance biased derivative).

Whatever the thinking, the designers over in Germany got it right. The Adam range has reignited the passion in Opel and the Adam Rocks takes it to a new level.

It’s easy on the eyes thanks to its trendy design, enhanced bumpers and the low-profile 18-inch alloy rims as standard ensures instant street cred.

But probably the best feature is the soft top. Bringing you open top motoring in a stylish looking hatch. By simply hitting a switch, the Opel Adam really starts to rock, soaking up the rays as the vinyl roof peels back and folds away.

The cabin is cozy as is the case with most hatchbacks, but the funky finish on the dash and easy to use infotainment system merely adds to the Rocks’ appeal. Housed front and centre is the seven-inch colour touchscreen, which is relatively easy to operate and linking your phone will give you access to a variety of pre-loaded apps courtesy of the Intellilink system.

However, there is downside to owning a hatchback. Its petite nature means the boot capacity is severely sacrificed and you’ll be in for a tough time getting luggage into the boot. Even the two rear seats have limited space available for any passenger willing to venture into back.

Space constraints aside, when enjoying open top motoring at its finest, there isn’t much to complain about. The Opel Adam Rocks is dynamic and fun to drive, with good handling and the small car personifies the fun factor. While I do quite like the crossover styling, it’s by no means a sand road machine (little ground clearance et al) and you’re sure to feel the lumps and bumps on the gravel bits.

Pushing the Opel Adam Rocks a long is the 1-litre EcoFlex motor, which we’ve seen do business in the Adam and Corsa. It’s become a staple for Opel and rightfully so. Quick firing off the mark with virtually no turbo lag, the 85kW and 170Nm of power kicks the Rocks off the line with gusto. The engine is a breeze to live with and the six-speed manual gearbox is smooth as the car rapidly gains speed at a more than expected pace with a simple press of the accelerator.

Given the vehicle’s rather small size and petite powertrain, Opel peg the fuel consumption at around 5 litres/100km but during our time on test we could only attain 7.3 litres/100km.

Overall, I grew rather fond of this fun and funky German during our time together. As a small city runaround with loads of street cred it brings something different to the market. It’s nippy and a hoot to drive and you’re sure to get a few extra smiles, particularly when the tops down.