MAKEOVERS, revamps and facelifts can be fraught affairs with the results not always to the liking of those on the end of them.

Vauxhall has taken great care with the Antara to ensure its sport utility vehicle hasn't ended up with the motoring equivalent of a trout pout.

Extensive changes to the model have left it with a stylish exterior look, high-efficiency engines, an enhanced chassis, upgraded interior and an electronically controlled all-wheel drive.

The SE model I drove may look a shade expensive at £25,000-plus, but for that you get a host of goodies including a neat satellite navigation system, plus leather trim, cruise control and parking sensors.

The entry-level model comes in at under £20,000 which equates to a lot of car and an excellent warranty for the money if you can do without the more expensive mod cons.

Power in the latest Antara is provided by a new engine range that includes the top-of-the-line 2.2-litre diesel.

It is a sprightly beast that propels the Antara from 0-60mph in 8.6 seconds - pretty rapid progress for a sport utility vehicle.

Drive it normally though, without a heavy right foot on the accelerator, and this oil burner is relatively wallet-friendly returning an average fuel consumption figure of about 40mpg.

The ride is smooth if a touch bouncy and the Antara handles well on all types of roads thanks to a newly-tuned chassis.

The clever all-wheel drive system ensures a confidence-inducing amount of grip.

Under normal conditions the engine drives the front wheels but when the weather or road surface deteriorates this is picked up and power is seamlessly redistributed as required.

Depending on the driving situation and outside conditions, the power distribution range spans from 100 per cent front-wheel drive to 50 per cent on both front and rear axles.

The exterior is easy on the eye with recent changes including an updated front grille with chrome bezel and Vauxhall's Griffin logo positioned on the cross-bar. There are also stylish fog lights and rear lights with new graphics and a distinctive protection panel at the front and rear of the car.

The refreshed cabin offers new, upscale trim and upholstery, instruments with new graphics and a re-designed centre console with extra storage solutions. The car is fitted with heated seats plus electric windows and door mirrors all designed to make life easy.

A decent driving position is a cinch to find while a centre armrest hides a storage well that's useful as is the dual cup holder between the front seats.

There are also grab handles front and back should you decide to test out the Antara's off-road credentials - which are reasonable.

There's plenty of room for four adults with a fifth able to be squeezed in at a push.

Leg and particularly head room in the rear are impressive ensuring long journeys can be spent in a relaxing environment. Rear lights in the roof make it easy for passengers who want to read at night.

The dashboard is modern and well designed featuring nifty looking air con vents and much thought has obviously gone into the revamped interior.