18. VAUXHALL CROSSLAND X

Price From £15,000 (est) On sale Summer

BUYERS in every area of the car market have fallen out of love with MPVS and into love with SUVS – and the Crossland X is designed to give Vauxhall a boost by replacing the ageing Meriva.

The newcomer shares many components with the Peugeot 2008, although of course, its development started long before PSA clinched a deal to buy Vauxhall and its sister firm Opel.

In any case, the Crossland X bears little resemblance to its French cousin; it’s a crossover rather than a pure SUV, with many people-carrier elements simply moved into a higher position. The car’s overall dimensions are shorter than an Astra’s, but its roofline sits 10cm taller.

That Peugeot tie-up is reflected in the engine range; instead of Vauxhall’s regular units, the Crossland X is offered with PSA’S 1.2-litre petrol three-cylinders, with a range of power outputs up to 128bhp. There’s also a 1.6-litre diesel.

Don’t expect any off-road ability, because the Crossland X is front-drive only. But there will be a choice of manual and automatic transmissions.

“Crossland X is shorter than an Astra, and is a crossover rather than a pure SUV”