The Vauxhall Crossland X crossover has been unveiled ahead of its showroom arrival in summer 2017.
The newcomer to Vauxhall’s SUV line-up will slot into the range alongside the existing Mokka X, with which it shares similar dimensions.
However Vauxhall says that the new car will be targeted at family buyers, whereas the Mokka X will be more suited to buyers ‘with a taste for adventure.’ The Vauxhall Crossland X sits 7cm lower than the Mokka X, on smaller wheels, and will not be offered in all-wheel-drive form as is its sibling. It also looks distinct from the Mokka X, primarily due to two-tone body finishes in similar style to the ADAM supermini.
Prime rivals to the newcomer will be the Renault Captur and the Peugeot 2008, whereas the Mokka X is benchmarked against the likes of the Nissan Juke and Skoda Yeti.
‘Tardis-like’ cabin
At 4.2m in length, the Vauxhall Crossland X is slightly shorter than the Mokka X and 16cm shorter than the Vauxhall Astra hatch. It is 10cm taller at 1.6m, than the Astra – according to the car’s designers the compact dimensions and an elevated seating position will make the Crossland X easy to manoeuvre, while the ‘tardis-like’ cabin will give an impression of great space on the inside.
Flexibility will also be a prime selling point for the Crossland X, including adjustable rear seats that will allow an increase in the standard luggage capacity of 410 litres.
Details of the Vauxhall Crossland X powertrain line-up are yet to be released, but as the car is mechanically similar to the Peugeot 2008, and shares a production line, it is predicted to use the same engines as the Peugeot. These petrol and diesel units range from 1.2 to 2.0 litres in capacity and offer a 180hp maximum power output.
Technology will feature heavily in the new model. Available driving aids include a 180-degree panoramic rear-view camera, park assist, forward collision alert with pedestrian detection and autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, speed sign recognition and side blind-spot alert.
Connectivity functions will be headed by the Vauxhall OnStar assistance service, alongside IntelliLink infotainment systems, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and operated through a colour touchscreen of up to eight inches.
Meeting changing trends
According to Vauxhall’s chairman and managing director Rory Harvey the Crossland X meets changing customer expectations.
“The timing is perfect for an additional model in the Vauxhall range, which caters for a new breed of buyer,” Harvey says.
“(The Vauxhall Crossland X) will appeal to buyers with families who demand agility and convenience in urban driving, but with enough comfort and performance to cover long distances at the drop of a hat.”
Vauxhall’s SUV line-up will grow further later in 2017 when a larger version of the Crossland X, the Grandland X, is launched.
