Vauxhall Crossland review

Here's why the Crossland was brought into this world. It encloses a lot of useful space within its short footprint.

Everyone sits high and has a good view out. The seats have a Vauxhall-ish supportive firmness rather than a Citroen-esque cozy softness. The dash is like an Astra's, and that's an easy-to use if slightly outdated design. Material choice and quality of ornament are up to par. The red trim of our test car does wonders for the general ambience.

The centre screen – 7in in base models, 8in as you move up the price ladder – is responsive and clear. The interface is borrowed from Vauxhall’s PSA overlords. It carries phone mirroring (Apple and Android) in all models, but isn’t very clever compared to rivals. Two USB ports up front mean there's one for the mirrored phone and one for charging another device. Wireless charging is available on pricier versions, but CarPlay needs a wired connection anyway.

Very sensibly, the screen doesn't carry the burden of climate controls. They are separate, actual finger-friendly twisters and buttons. Happy days.

The back seat is roomy enough – adults will be fine back there on shorter trips – but goes without any fresh-air vents to staunch the car-sickness of device-fixated passengers.

Behind them is a deep boot, with a dual-level floor. A sliding rear seat can make the boot bigger again, from 410- to 520-litres, without ejecting the rear passengers providing they're small. Useful for when the boot has to swallow one of modern parenthood's giant military-spec baby buggies.