CROSS-CULTURE (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 72

Vauxhall proved that it was getting serious about every area of the small SUV sector in 2017 by delivering us a more credible small SUV, this Crossland X. It's compact yet surprisingly spacious, as well as being fashionable to look at and efficient to run. There's no pretence at off road capability but in all the areas that really matter, this car looks to be a strong proposition as a used buy.

Modelsword count: 15

Models Covered: (5-door SUV) 1.2 petrol [81PS, 110PS, 130PS] / 1.5, 1.6 diesel [99PS, 120PS])

Historyword count: 165

Here's a very fashionable little Vauxhall, the Crossland X. A model introduced in the Spring of 2017 and based on the MK1 Peugeot 2008, it's a smartly turned-out, family-orientated compact SUV that claims to be perfectly pitched for its target market. Here's a car with enough space inside to comfortably function as an ideal family second car, yet one that can also slot into the tightest supermarket space. Under the skin, it shares an upgraded version of the platform that underpins a rival Peugeot 2008, plus it gets almost everything from that Gallic model's engine line-up, which means a range of 1.2-litre petrol engines and a couple of 1.6-litre diesels (alter replaced by a 1.5-litre unit). Vauxhall did build upon the French formula though, with a little of the style that marked out its fashionable ADAM citycar from this period - hence, for example, this car's fashionable contrast-colour roof. This Crossland X sold until late 2020, when it was facelifted and rebadged as the 'Crossland'.

What You Getword count: 261

Buyers in the smallest SUV segment tend to prioritise aesthetics more than those in larger Crossover categories, so with that in mind, it's safe to say that this Crossland X starts off with something of a head-start. Provided you choose a variant with a contrast-coloured roof, there's something of the sophisticated, personalised feel here. When it's time to take a seat inside, if you switch to a Crossland X from, say, the kind of Corsa supermini model that flowed down the same Spanish Zaragoza production line, there's hardly any acclimatisation required at all, though you will approvingly note the slightly raised driving position that SUV Crossover buyers like so much. The centrepiece of the smartly styled dash is the beautifully-integrated Intellilink infotainment screen which incorporates the usual DAB stereo, Bluetooth 'phone and informational functions. Get a car whose original owner included the optional satellite navigation system and the screen size increases from 7 to 8-inches. In the rear, the first thing to say is that the slight advantages this Vauxhall enjoys in overall length over rivals like Nissan's Juke and Ford's EcoSport really show because this Crossland X feels significantly less cramped in the back than either of those two cars. If the optional sliding seat has been fitted, you'll be able to prioritise either load or leg space by pushing the base either backwards or forwards over a range of up to 150-millimetres. Out back, there's a 410-litre boot, accessed through a decently-sized rectangular aperture. Push forward the backrest and up to 1,255-litres of fairly flat space is opened up.

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