FIRST impressions can certainly allow you to form an instant opinion, but it's not always the right one.

My initial encounter with a Vauxhall Mokka, at the model's launch at the start of 2013 hinted that it should really have been called a mock-up.

The feeling was one of "we'd better get a compact crossover onto the market, because everyone else has, and we'll slip it in under the radar".

So the Mokka was quietly introduced rather than given the full guns blazing treatment.

Seen as a rival to proven top sellers like the Nissan Qashqai and Skoda Yeti, the Vauxhall has had its work cut out from day one.

And while it lacks the distinctive style of those top sellers, the Mokka makes up for it with a raft of practical features that continue to win over its share of buyers.

Two petrol and one diesel engine are up for grabs in a line-up that offers two or four-wheel drive and three trim grades of Exclusiv, SE and Tech Line, the latter aimed at company car drivers.

Prices are from £16,199 and if you want four-wheel drive well that's available for a £1,500 premium.

What the Mokka achieves is to effectively blend SUV practicality with passenger car comfort, the cabin boasting space for five to travel in comfort, and the boot is large too.

Inside, the cabin quality feels durable, there are some premium touches like a BOSE sound system and no less than 19 storage spaces, including a pair of gloveboxes in the dash.

This model was a 1.4-litre Turbo petrol with six-speed manual transmission and Start/Stop, offering plenty of punch from its 140ps.

Fuel consumption could be better, my own return of 36.7mpg coming in a fair bit below the official combined figure of 47.1.

What you do get though is a civilised and practical car with standard features like traction control, hill start assist and switchable ESP.