VAUXHALL'S hugely successful Mokka crossover, which became a top ten seller in the UK last year, has now morphed into the Mokka X.

With a fresh interior, and updated exterior and new powertrain it is the first model to introduce the “X” segment identifier for future Vauxhall SUV and crossover vehicles.

There's a mind-boggling choice of engines and transmissions and state-of-the-art connectivity too as Vauxhall seeks to build on its somewhat surprising success in the sector.

Compact ‘soft-roaders’ have really taken off in recent years, and the Mokka X is Vauxhall’s attempt at stealing sales from the likes of Skoda’s Yeti and Nissan’s Juke. The lofty driving position and raised ride height do much to aid visibility and navigate speed humps.

It ticks all the right boxes when it comes to being loyal to the mini SUV genre. The car’s upright stance is matched by its chunky styling, while the hatchback layout ensures ample practicality for a small but growing family and at the front there’s the familiar corporate nose. The Mokka offers a good blend of cabin space and comforts that is likely to please buyers seeking a compact lifestyle car for sensible money.

Folding the rear seats to liberate more room is an easy task and there’s ample oddment storage space dotted around the cabin.

Designer Mark Adams and his team have given the Mokka X a wider, more solid and muscular stance, with a sporty twist.

On the inside, it has a new dashboard inspired by the Astra that does away with the buttons overload of its predecessor. The revised instrument panel looks simpler and sharper, while the centre stack has been redeveloped around the seven and eight-inch touchscreens of the new generation infotainment systems.

Heading the engine line-up is a new1.4-litre direct injection turbocharged petrol unit that provides an alternative to the 1.6-litre ‘whisper diesel’ engine introduced last year.

The 1.4-litre Turbo 140PS 4X4, tested here, is available with manual or six-speed automatic transmission, as well as adaptive all-wheel drive and start/stop, and can achieve a claimed average mpg figure of 47.1mpg, although I found it to be closer to the 40mpg mark.

It can be combined with various drivetrain se-tups including six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive, six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive or six-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive.

With a 0 to 60mph sprint time of 9.3 seconds and top speed of 116mph, it is a capable rather than exciting or fun car to drive.

The all-wheel drive technology requires virtually no input from the driver. The front-wheel drive only or all-wheel drive settings adapt automatically based on the road conditions.

In normal everyday use, the 4x4 system runs as a front-wheel drive car. Its all-wheel drive system activates when the car is stationary to prevent wheel slip when moving away and engages as soon as the driver depresses the clutch pedal. Once driving, the power is transferred back to the front wheels. The all-wheel drive system is then engaged when driving situations require it to improve the traction, such as on wet roads.

Vauxhall engineers have also introduced LED adaptive forward lighting headlamps that adapt to a driving situation to give the best possible light performance without dazzling other road users.

Add to this potent mixture the so-called personal connectivity and service assistant, OnStar, and you have a compelling package. OnStar offers customers a broad range of safety and comfort services, including access to a trained advisor in the event of an accident and the ability to turn the Mokka X into a 4G mobile wi-fi hotspot, allowing up to seven devices, from smartphones to tablets, to be connected simultaneously.

In addition, two versions of the IntelliLink infotainment system have made their debut in the Mokka X to bring the world of smartphones to the car via both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone projection.

The Mokka X looks to build on the success of its predecessor, providing a wide range of variants across the Design Nav, Active, Elite and Elite Nav trims.

Prices start at £17,590.