Business First December 2017 December BF Digital | Page 70

MOTORING
Vauxhall’s Crossland X
T
he Crossland is the latest SUV from
Vauxhall. Indeed, it’s the first vehicle
since Vauxhall was acquired by the
French giant PSA group who also own the
Peugeot, Citroen and DS brands.
The X in the name made me think that is
would be an off­roader. But no, although it’s a
little confusing as its not much smaller than
Vauxhalls very successful Mokka and is also
two­wheel drive.
From the outside it does look more French
in its design with softer lines than what we
have seen evolve from Vauxhalls designers
with only the Vauxhall badge on the front
giving away its pedigree.
It's a smartly turned­out, family­orientated
compact SUV that claims to be perfectly
pitched for its target market.
The Crossland X is a car with enough space
inside to comfortably function as an ideal
family 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 and that is really the big
difference between the Crosssland and the
Mokka.
The Crossland is more practical with its
upright stance an expansive boot space. The
Interior space is generous enough to carry
four adults and carries all the sign of a
Vauxhall with just a hint of Peugeot sneaking
through in the switch gear.
It feels well put together which is what is
expected nowadays.
I drove the Crossland X with a three
cylinder 1200cc Turbocharged petrol engine
that was capable of producing 130 bhp to the
front wheels through a six­speed manual
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gearbox.
The engine was good although I have yet to
come to grips with the noisy roughness of any
three cylinder engines.
It performed quite well and it was very
economical achieving 50 mpg was easy. The
six­speed gearbox is a good match to the
engine and gets the best out of it.
The Crossland X is at its best around town
as the suspension feels quite soft and body
roll is noticeable.
The steering as with all Vauxhalls I have
driven recently is very sharp and gives good
feedback the Crossland X is an easy and
effortless car to drive – not the most exciting ,
but the target market for this car is more
about a practical car rather than an exciting
one.
The Crossland X is well equipped and prices
start at £16,500 with the same engine as the
test car just with turbo taken off. It’s not bad
value for money. It certainly is a practical car
or SUV, I do wonder where it fits as there are
now so many small SUV’S on the market and
it in many ways is in competition with the
Vauxhall Mokka X .
I suppose like anything it’s all down to
personal taste and more than likely what has
the best deal.