IT was almost inevitable that with the success of an SUV based on the ever popular Golf Volkswagen would, before long, look to one based on the Polo.

So after the impact of the T-Roc we now have the T-Cross, a smaller but nonetheless equally striking family car.

Its shorter body length and high stance makes it more of an obvious SUV than its bigger brother - which is a more of a subtle SUV/family hatchback combination - but it's still very much a car to get you noticed in.

In many ways the Polo-based T-Cross is like a junior version of VW's range-topping Toureg but at a far more affordable price for families and younger drivers.

But while it might be VW's smallest SUV the appealing new T-Cross is still a five-seater which offers more than adequate interior space and - because of its height - excellent all round vision.

With its imposing grille, striking creases in the metal and silver anodised roof rails the T-Cross has been cleverly designed to stand out from the SUV masses.

First edition models can be identified by special decals on the rear pillar which match special detailing on both the passenger and - to a lesser extent - the driver's side of the dashboard.

The car's interior is bright, clean cut and intuitive with a large infotainment display in the centre of the dashboard for the satellite navigation system and various on-board features like the DAB radio.

The look of the interior is very similar to that of the Polo but the extra height of the seating in the T-Cross means the driver gets a better view of the road ahead.

The cloth seats are comfortable and supportive and usefully the rear bench seat slides backwards and forwards to create more luggage space or more legroom for rear seat passengers, depending on your needs.

With the rear seats in place there's 385 litres of luggage room (455 litres with the bench forward) rising to 1,281 litres with the seatbacks folded down.

Power in the car driven here, comes from a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder engine which develops 113bhp and is mated to a very smooth six-speed manual gearbox, although an automatic is available.

And despite such a diminutive engine the T-Cross offers more than adequate power and sharp acceleration. You do have to work the gearbox a little more than on a larger engined car but if you do the T-Cross delivers.

The ride is exceptionally good for a car with a relatively short wheelbase and despite its height there is little or no roll on corners.

The T-Cross is a very easy car to drive and highly manoeuvrable making it ideal in towns and cities where parking can be a problem. Speed sensitive power steering helps.