IT'S taken a while but the temptation finally proved too much for Vauxhall.

With the compact crossover sector currently proving one of the most buoyant in the motor industry the great British brand has finally come to the table to claim its piece of the cake.

Judging by the name of their new contender the GM-owned car maker also fancy a caffeine injection with their nibbles too.

The Mokka is the company's first foray into the small hatchback-cum-SUV mash-up marketplace, joining the larger Antara in their range.

But it's taking on some heavy-hitters who are already pretty well established, such as Nissan's Qashqai and Juke and the Skoda Yeti, as well as other newcomers like Peugeot's 2008.

It's styling is not quite as in-your-face as the Juke but more distinctive than Skoda's motor.

The familiar Vauxhall front end gets a butch SUV-style makeover with a bold aggressive grille and large eagle-eye headlights while the elevated ride height and the abundance of protective cladding create a muscular look and hint at some decent off-road capability in four-wheel drive versions like the car I sampled.

There are 1.6-litre and turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol-engined options available but Vauxhall expect this 1.7-litre turbodiesel to be the most popular choice.

It offers a good balance of performance and economy when paired with the versatile six-speed manual transmission, proving sprightly enough around town and a relaxed cruiser.

Average fuel consumption of 55mpg and carbon emissions of 134g/km, achieved with the help of a standard automatic start/stop system, mean running costs shouldn't break the bank.

It's not as refined as some oil-burners out there, though, and engine noise is evident, especially under heavy revs when accelerating.

But handling is surprisingly good for a car which, although not large, is fairly tall. The steering is well-weighted and responsive and actually makes the Mokka quite an engaging car to drive in the right conditions.

Grip is assured and body roll is very well controlled in corners - no doubt helped by the intelligent 4x4 system. This delivers all the power via the front wheels for maximum economy in normal conditions but can transfer up to 50 percent of torque to the rear when necessary - on wet or icy roads for example.

The raised suspension offers a commanding driving position as well as absorbing most of the lumps and bumps well and large windows and wing mirrors make for good all round views for the driver, who also has plenty of seat and steering wheel adjustment options.

The ride is settled and comfortable with an array of high-tech assistance ensuring you stay safe including electronic stability and traction control and hill start assist while hill descent control will prove useful off-road - ensuring that speed is maintained when descending demanding hills with low friction, gravel or other difficult surfaces.

With all that safety kit on board as well as ABS brakes and all the usual airbags it's no surprise that the Mokka gained the top five-star rating in the Euro-NCAP crash tests - a key consideration for a family car.

And it has plenty to offer a family from a practical viewpoint.

The cabin is surprisingly spacious and well-equipped, and in this range-topping SE trim gets a few luxury touches too.

The two-tone brown leather upholstery was a bit of an acquired taste (perhaps it's caramel and coffee hues have something to do with the Mokka moniker) but the heated, ergonomic sports front seats are comfortable and supportive.

You also get a heated steering wheel, automatic adaptive bi-Xenon headlights, chrome and alloy-effect trim, 18-inch alloys, dual-zone climate control, stereo with digital radio tuner, USB connection with iPod control, rain-sensing wipers and front and rear parking sensors and the 230-volt power outlet in the rear conveniently takes a domestic-style three-pin plug rather than the clumsy USB adapter types.

Head and legroom is good all round thanks to the high roof and three should fit in the back with little trouble, while storage solutions are convenient and plentiful. The boot is a good size for a compact car too with 356 litres of storage space, rising to 1,372 with the 60/40 split rear seats folded down.

And if you really are an active family the like of which the Mokka is aimed at, you can get Vauxhall's Flex-Fit bicycle carrying system, which slides out of the rear bumper, as an option.