Vauxhall Crossland review

The Crossland’s engines are plucked from the PSA lineup. Petrols are all versions of the 1.2-litre three-cylinder, the upper two are turboed. But there's also a naturally aspirated version if you really do have a lot of time on your hands. The diesels are 1.5s in two states of liveliness.

We’ve only driven the 1.2 petrol in top-line 130bhp guise. It’s a familiar engine but a good one, with enough get-up-and-go to shift this apparently plodding little car away from roundabouts with reasonable zip. Its happy buzz doesn't disturb the peace too much and it’s pretty economical – we saw well over 40mpg on a mixed run without trying. That said, the lesser turbocharged petrol (with 110bhp) is probably enough engine for a car this size, and ought to be more economical still. We haven’t tried either of the diesels, not that you’re interested.

There are six-speed, five speed and auto boxes on the menu depending on engine. So far we've been exposed only to the six-speed manual, which is easy to use but has a very long throw. Moreover the lever is angled so neutral looks and to a degree feels a bit like third. You’ll get used to it in time.

The pre-facelift Crossland had a lumpen, rocking ride on an ordinary B-road. There was a fair bit of urban disturbance too, and while the steering was reasonably definite on smooth roads, it was easily deflected over bumpy terrain. Vauxhall’s attempt to address these problems with new springs, dampers and retuned steering hasn’t been entirely successful – the Crossland is tidier to drive nowadays (especially on the motorway), with no earth-shattering dynamic flaws. But the ride is still too fidgety and it’s nothing like as refined or entertaining as some competitors.

There’s a fair bit of tyre and wind-roar. The car we drove had an especially annoying whistle from the top of the windscreen at motorways speeds.

It's not aimed at keen drivers then. Vauxhall would have you believe it coddles the uninterested with a healthy roster of driver assists. Traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning and LED lights are standard. But why oh why is autonomous city-brake only an option, and why's it only lane departure warning (an irritating beeper) not lane keeping assist?