VOLKSWAGEN launched the T-Roc - a compact SUV that mixes style with substance - only a few months ago and it's already proving a big hit with customers.

Priced from £18,950 to £31,485 and with a good selection of trim levels, powertrains and transmissions, there is a T-Roc to suit all tastes and budgets.

And if further proof of its popularity is needed then recent UK sales figures showed the car has topped the 9,000-mark in just over eight months.

The five-door model looks smart from any angle thanks to its dynamic, pocket-rocket styling with sweeping lines, 18-inch alloys, LED lights with signature running lights, body-coloured bumpers and door mirrors, chrome-effect twin exhausts, silver roof rails and tinted windows.

The interior is typically VW with a clutter-free yet feature-rich layout and plenty of plush materials and trims to help create an upmarket feel to the car - I particularly liked the two-tone seats along with the decorative inserts in the doors and dashboard.

Creature comforts are plentiful and include the likes of a 10.3-inch high resolution dash display screen with customisable menus, an eight-inch colour touchscreen with navigation system, 2-Zone air conditioning, a wireless smartphone charger, a six-speaker audio system, a rear-view camera, heated front seats, full smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and plenty more besides.

Our car in SEL trim was priced at £31,690 (£35,535 with options fitted) and was powered by a 2.0-litre 190ps petrol engine mated to a seven-speed automatic gearbox.

It could sprint from 0-62mph in 7.2 seconds, maxed out at 134mph and, according to official figures, delivers combined fuel economy of 41.5mpg with carbon emissions of 155g/km.

Getting comfy inside the T-Roc is a simple process with ample seat and steering wheel adjustment and the slightly elevated driving position means the driver has a good view of the road ahead.

There is plenty of room in the car for a couple of rear seat passengers to sit comfortably or three at a bit of a squeeze.

The boot is well-sized too with a capacity that ranges from 392 litres to 1,237 litres when the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats are lowered.

Throughout the vehicle, there are a number of handy storage options such as a glovebox, cup holders, a central bin, door pockets, a non-slip tray ahead of the gear lever, a drawer under the driver's seat and pockets in the seat backs.

When it comes to performance, the T-Roc is an absolute delight to drive. The responsive 2.0-litre engine delivers all the power you need to accelerate smoothly and swiftly through the gears and national speed limits are quickly reached on motorways.

In city centres the T-Roc is agile and easy to manoeuvre with a Park Assist system to make light work of parking. And then out on the faster country lanes, it is balanced and well grounded. There is minimal body sway into bends and the road-holding is ultra-grippy.

Noise levels do become noticeable at higher speeds or across rougher road surfaces but generally the car is very well-insulated. And the effective suspension irons out all but the most severe bumps and dips along the way.

Our car boasted a Dynamic Chassis Control system costing £870 that offered variable suspension settings with a choice of Sport, Comfort or Normal.

In addition, there are different driver profile modes called Eco, Normal, Sport or Individual that alter the way the car responds.

It's worth noting that the T-Roc features VW's 4MOTION all-wheel drive system which will help you keep going during adverse weather conditions. This also has different settings called on road, off road individual and snow.

Other driver aids fitted to the T-Roc include lane assist, adaptive cruise control, front assist with city emergency braking, predictive pedestrian protection, high beam assist and a pre-crash preventative occupant protection system that increases the seat belt tension, closes electric windows and a sunroof and preconditions the brake systems if a critical driving situation is detected. The car was awarded the maximum five stars when it was tested for its Euro NCAP safety rating.