THE Renault Kadjar crossover can help you make your machine more green.

As you pootle around town or up and down the motorway in the Dynamique S Nav model an ‘eco-coaching' system monitors your performance via a number of parameters and then gives an overall mark out of 100 at the end of the journey.

Star ratings for acceleration, gear changes and anticipation are reported via a digital readout and compared to past performance giving an indication of which driving habits and styles can help you reduce fuel consumption.

It is a clever idea in what is basically a scaled down SUV that is bursting with gadgets and gizmos designed to entertain, inform and keep you safe.

The Kadjar is the result of an alliance between Renault and Nissan but although the French motor shares much with the Sunderland-built Qashqai, it is mostly under the surface and the two share little in the way of looks.

The main inspiration in that department is Renault's smaller Captur model which helped the company gain a vital foothold in the rapidly expanding crossover market now responsible for one car in every five sold worldwide.

So the Kadjar offers swept-back headlights, huge Renault logo and brash nose giving it bags of kerb appeal. The sculpted bodywork and creases in panels give a flowing feel with the ultra modern design continued at the rear through eye-catching tail lamps.

The choice of wheels may cause you a bit of a headache as the 19-inch ‘Apollo' diamond cut alloys are gorgeous - but select the no-cost option 17-inch boots and the carbon dioxide emissions drop to a tax-busting 99g/km.

The Kadjar offers a choice of 18 models with the range starting at £17,995 and topping out at £26,295.

In addition to the efficient 1.5-litre diesel engine under the bonnet of the Kadjar I drove, there is also a 1.2-litre turbo petrol and a 1.6-litre oil burner which offers the option of four-wheel drive.

The front-wheel drive Dynamique S Nav dCi 110 with stop/start is expected to be the most popular with buyers as it boasts a combination of decent fuel economy and a reasonable amount of pace as well as lots of goodies including a satellite navigation system with a neat screen.

I particularly liked the instrument panel which has a large digital speedo and a fuel gauge whose shape reminded me of the July racecourse at Newmarket - but unlike watching my nags slowly traipse round the corner of the track it was refreshing to watch the pedestrian rate at which the Kadjar uses diesel.

There are steering wheel controls for the cruise control and the digital dashboard display - but after pressing them fruitlessly you'll realise neither control the volume for the radio - the toggles for that are hidden on a stalk behind the wheel.

The roomy cabin easily copes with five adults and benefits from big windows letting plenty of light into the airy interior.

Boot space ranges from 472 to 1,478 litres with a quick release system for the rear seats allowing the extra space to be easily set up. There is also handy underfloor storage to squirrel away bits and bobs while a number of decent cubby holes are provided including a useful storage area beneath the armrest between driver and front-seat passenger.

For motoring peace of mind Renault throw in a four year/100,000 mile warranty. Safety is handled by an array of electronics as well as a host of airbags while lane departure warning comes as standard on all but the entry-level model.