CHEVROLET is using next month's Paris Motor Show to showcase its first small SUV model the Trax ahead of its UK arrival early next year.

The American company, which claims to have invented the class more than 75 years ago with the Suburban Carryall, says Chevy fans will have a choice of three engines plus an on-demand all-wheel drive system.

Seen as a rival to popular models like the Nissan Juke, the Trax is heralded as boasting room for five with generous cargo space, toughness and capability.

Sporting the Chevy family grille - with golden bow-tie separating the upper and lower sections - and bulging wheel arches, it also comes with the promise of an upmarket interior appointed to standards usually found in more expensive vehicles.

The Trax engine line-up will initially comprise a 1.6-litre petrol engine and 1.7-litre turbodiesel, with a 1.4 turbo petrol unit to follow later in the year.

The latter is mated to a six-speed manual transmission and produces 140bhp, and along with the diesel can be specified with the AWD set-up, while all manual models come with Start/Stop.

Stowage includes a 358-litre boot, bins above and on both sides of the centre stack plus a tray under the passenger seat, which itself can be folded flat. In fact there are eight different seating combinations.

And higher trim grades will come with the Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system that can transfer content from smartphones onto a seven-inch colour touchscreen display.

Chevrolet Europe chief Susan Docherty said: "For many decades, Chevrolet has been known for its dependable and capable SUVs. Trax will deliver on all of the traditional Chevrolet values and more.

"It is a modern, highly versatile yet fuel-efficient small SUV, offering car-like handling and all-wheel drive."