AFTER starting to look a little tired and long in the tooth the Vauxhall range has undergone something of a makeover in recent years, marked by the arrival of cars like the Mokka and the ADAM.

These new additions to an already large family sound and look far more funky than Vauxhalls of old, though in truth Vauxhall has for some time been going quietly yet systematically about the business of reinventing itself.

The Insignia was perhaps the start and since then stylish creations like the stunning Astra GTC and the sleek Cascada convertible have helped to reinvigorate and revitalise the range.

That said, the Mokka and the ADAM are in large part reactions to changing automotive trends in the small car and SUV segments.

While the ADAM is Vauxhall's attempt to cater for small car buyers who want something that looks desirable rather than just fulfilling the function of getting you from A to B as cheaply as possible, the Mokka is a compact crossover designed to do battle with the likes of the Nissan Juke and Skoda Yeti.

It's a well designed car it has to be said, easy on the eye and with aesthetic appeal aplenty.

While it isn't quite as avant-garde or eye-catching as the Juke it pretty much fits the bill in terms of delivering what would-be buyers are looking for when it comes to small SUVs with a profile that's endearing and appealing. While there's nothing that sets it dramatically apart the designers certainly seem to have hit the spot as far as the compact SUV zeitgeist is concerned.

Its second selling point is its size.

Crucially, and rather cleverly, Vauxhall are repeating a previous ploy it managed with the Meriva to deliver something that straddles a mid-point between potential competitors. So, size-wise the Mokka sits neatly between Nissan's Juke and the Japanese car-maker's larger Qashqai - arguably the two cars that have come to define the crossover segment.

This is a tactic that seems to have worked particularly well for Skoda too and it should see the Mokka fare well.

When one factors in value for money and the number of choices available to buyers the plus points for the Mokka start to stack up.

No doubt General Motors' economies of scale help on the pricing front but also there's a choice of two-wheel drive variants, petrol and diesel engines and manual and automatic transmissions - before you even start thinking about trim levels.

The Mokka's a tad more funky on the inside, some imaginative and clever styling exuding more of a degree of individuality and all models come generously equipped with climate control, a digital radio, USB connectivity and cruise control.

This car, powered by the 1.7-litre diesel engine performed well. The diesel unit isn't the most refined around but it's certainly capable and reasonably frugal too.

That said, depending on the kind of mileage you're doing the 1.4-litre petrol alternative compares well against it, thought it's hard to imagine who might be in the market for a 1.6-litre petrol unit which is also available.

While the Mokka's handling is unlikely to have you drooling through the bends it's actually more than commendable and given it's an SUV/crossover it's better than many, aided in part by its relatively compact dimensions.

It offers a comfortable ride,  has a decent sized cabin and a big enough boot and also comes with the added Vauxhall bonus of a full-life warranty.

Without doubt it certainly has plenty going for it but whether it has enough to help propel Vauxhall into the sought-after brands category remains to be seen.