VAUXHALL'S first attempt at a crossover is the macho-looking Mokka and it's a good car for those who want a higher driving position but not four wheel drive.

It is available with four wheel drive but only in some models, and they come with useful items such as hill descent control if you are going to take the car off-road.

I have just tried the 1.7 turbo diesel with four wheel drive and I would say it's the pick of the range because it has decent performance allied to low emissions and very good economy.

But it could be better. As with other cars where the suspension has been raised to give greater ground clearance, the designers have tried to minimise body roll and keep it like a car.

But that makes the suspension too stiff and, at some speeds, the ride is just too lumpy.

Engine noise is also too intrusive some of the time, and that could easily be improved.

It did handle fairly easy off-road work without difficulty.

A two tone interior didn't work for me but in SE trim the Mokka comes with a wide range of equipment including start/stop and sat nav.

It also has part leather upholstery and there is decent space for four, or five at a pinch, with a fair sized boot.