CHEVROLET'S compact SUV is a real surprise.

Surprisingly spacious and with car-like handling qualities, it ticks the boxes for a growing number of families switching from saloons and hatchbacks to SUV type vehicles.

Available with on-demand four wheel drive or front wheel drive, the Trax is clearly designed for a European market offering compact, neat styling plus a well laid out cabin, flexible seating arrangements for maximum flexibility and a powerful but frugal diesel engine in the tested model.

A 1.4-litre turbo charged petrol engine and a 1.6-litre petrol are also available and all engines deliver low CO2 emissions, meaning even the all-wheel drive will not cost a fortune to tax or pay out in benefit in kind taxation for business users.

It comes in a choice of two trims and is competitively priced as it needs to be in a fiercely competitive sector of the market.

The entry level is £15,496, very competitive for an all-wheel drive vehicle and offers an impressive range of standard features which include the usual electric powered windows and door mirrors, air conditioning, cruise control and parking sensors and smart alloy wheels.

Chevrolet says it invented the SUV nearly 80 years ago back in 1935 with the introduction of the Carryall Suburban with the Trax now very much taking the SUV into the 21st century.

It has a muscular profile with a high ground clearance, which is no surprise with this type of vehicle, a dual port grille with the Chevrolet bowtie, and large wheel arches.

The interior is neat and tidy with a neatly laid out array of dials and instrumentation which feel sturdy and durable.

It also has some neat touches, like the rear seat row incorporating a normal 230V socket that can be used for recharging laptops and other electronic devices without the need for an adapter.

It is a versatile vehicle with a modest sized boot with the rear seats in place, but start folding and twisting the seats and it becomes an accomplished load carrier as well as allowing all sort of oddments to be stored in the various pockets, bins and holders throughout the cabin.

With the rear seats folded there is a maximum loading space of 1,370 litres with extra space under the cargo floor. It also has standard roof rails for carrying extra.

On the road the 130bhp turbo diesel offers excellent pace, pulling power and economy. The claimed economy is a huge 62.8mpg, so sacrificing all-wheel drive on this model means fewer trips to the filling station.

The diesel is a bit clattery at first but soon quietens down and, allied to six-speed manual box, offers a smooth and borderline sporty drive.

The sprint from 0-60mph takes under 10 seconds and the excellent torque means it pulls well throughout the gear range.

Suspension specially geared to the European market means the car handles like a saloon thanks to electronic aids to the suspension. The ride is comfortable and composed and there is no evidence of wallowing on corners. The steering is also precise and responsive.

This model also featured the firms MyLink technology which adds a central touch screen display with smartphone connectivity and reversing camera, plus leatherette trimmed seats.

Safety features include ABS, plus stability and traction control, hill start and hill descent control.

There are also six airbags, three-point seatbelts in all five seating positions, ISOFX anchoring systems for children's safety seats and a collapsible pedal.

It's a whole lot of car and gives those who like the commanding stance of an SUV for not that much money.