THERE'S a lot to to be said for the raised driving position of the crossover vehicle.

Forward visibility is the obvious bonus, plus the ease of entry and egress into hip-high seats.

From that lofty position behind the wheel there's a clear view of potholes, speed humps and the like, while passengers are more likely to enjoy the ride.

Vauxhall's Mokka is one of the best examples of a compact SUV, and while it is by no means a new model it is now available with a quieter, cleaner 1.6-litre 'whisper diesel’ engine to replace the firm’s old 1.7-litre unit.

In this guise the Mokka delivers ample everyday performance from the turbocharged 110PS unit and matches it with fuel economy figures that will provide an average 68.9mpg (official figure) and go for 600 miles on a full tank.

The engine, also available with a 136PS output, makes light work of stop-start commuter traffic and will effortlessly keep up with faster traffic.

And it is a vast improvement on the growling 1.7 diesel. Smooth, quiet and refined at all speeds, the 'whisper diesel' delivers a vocal performance more like that of a petrol engine.

The Mokka's attractive stance, hatchback layout, practicality and new engine have brought it a whole new legion of admirers attracted by its blend of good cabin space and rugged appeal for a sensible price.

Its success will not have gone unnoticed in the auto industry. Now a top-ten seller in the UK, more than 500,000 have been bought across Europe.

The Mokka is proving to be a plausible and attractive alternative to a hatchback, not only for its stylish design and practicality but also for its frugal engines and optional technologies such as intelligent all-wheel drive.

The Mokka offers everyday use for up to five people within a compact length of 4.28m. The eye-catching bodywork includes plastic body cladding and underbody skid plates, a chrome front grille, swept back headlights and 17-inch alloy wheels, while the raised ride height completes the SUV look.

It comes with refined and powerful engines, with the frugal latest-generation turbo-diesel units leading the way.

The Mokka certainly doesn’t want for variety. There is a choice of several petrol and diesel engines, and four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox are offered according to trim level.

In combination with a six-speed manual transmission, the capable diesel can also be combined with intelligent all-wheel drive. The 4x4 system automatically recognises where the most traction is required and divides power to the front or rear wheels accordingly, providing a boost to safety in wet and slippery conditions.

Another bonus is Vauxhall's OnStar connectivity system, which provides access to a range of services including automatic crash response and roadside assistance to remote vehicle diagnostics via the myVauxhall smartphone app or a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot for up to seven devices.

The Mokka provides a suite of technologies such as optional ergonomic premium seats, several front camera system functions and adaptive forward lighting.

With a striking appearance, the Mokka appeals to a wide range of customers - most of them private buyers. Research has shown that the typical Mokka customer leads a very active lifestyle where leisure activities play a central role. That is why the Mokka comes with its many optional extras, like the FlexFix bicycle carrier.

But for a whole host of senior drivers it will be the sheer convenience of the drive position, the compactness of the car and the excellent fuel economy that will appeal. Just over half of all Mokka customers will also opt for the front-wheel drive variant, which makes more sense if you are unlikely to need the extra capability of a four-wheel drive system.

At a glance

Vauxhall Mokka Tech Line 1.6 CDTi

Price: £18,614

Engine: 1.6-litre 'Whisper' diesel, producing 110PS

Transmission: Six-speed manual, driving front wheels

Performance: 0 to 60mph in 11.7 seconds; top speed 111mph

Economy: 68.9mpg combined

CO2 emissions: 109g/km