IT was hardly a surprise when Renault's new Kadjar crossover turned up looking very familiar.

The oddly-named vehicle reminded me of its defunct predecessor the Koleos.

Sleeker, more dynamic looking and more fuel efficient than the Koleos, the Kadjar also has the look of Nissan's top selling Qashqai.

That should be no surprise either given the long-term collaboration between Renault and Nissan. The Kadjar is based on the alliance's CMF (Common Module Family) architecture,

The Koleos was a good car, an early crossover. I drove one for a good while and my daughter bought one and loved it, but it was never a good seller.

Things have moved on since then with the crossover market booming and one car in every five sold around the world today is a crossover.

The sector is projected to continue growing in the coming years and which is good for Renault with its smaller Captur already selling well.

So the stakes are high and it looks like Renault are on to a winner.

The Kadjar is smart, stylish, with fuel efficient engines and a choice of two or four wheel drive.

There are 18 models in the range with three engines, the 1.2-litre TCe petrol and 1.5-litre dCi 110 with just 99g/km of CO2 and the 1.6-litre dCi 130 diesels. The ubiquitous stop/start technology is standard on all manuals.

While never being a full off-roader, the intelligent all-wheel-drive system allows three operating modes - auto, lock and two-wheel-drive - so that owners decide how the car drives according to the road surface and weather.

Renault says it wants the newcomer to be three vehicles in one: an SUV, estate car and a saloon. It certainly is versatile and good looking and has plenty of space.

The sleek, tapering body lines give it almost coupe-like presence. All versions have body-side protection mouldings, plus LED daytime running lamps, with the rear lights create a rippled lighting signature effect. The tested model also featured smart alloy wheels and the huge diamond badge on the grille is now common across the brand.

Inside, the dash is dominated by a large touchscreen, which features the latest R-Link communication system and controls other major functions.

The eco-wizardry allows drivers to see if they are driving efficiently. They are effectively coached into better driving manners by the screen which offers a number of stars for the best performance. The display is nteresting, fuel-saving and at times annoying, but it does make you think about how you are driving.

Even the entry model has high levels of standard equipment including powered door mirrors, windows, air con, cruise control and reversing technology.

Fittings and soft touch finish are of the highest quality, although I did have trouble with the seat belt not retracting properly and getting jammed in the door.

Interior space is excellent with plenty of head and legroom for all passengers, while large glass areas allow the light to pour through.

Visibility is generally good thanks to the commanding driving position, but the thick A pillars can obstruct vision at junctions.

Boot space varies from good to cavernous, with 472 litres with the rear seats in place and 1,478 litres of space when the one-touch folding mechanism, which folds the seats flat, is activated, although this is not available on the base model.

In addition there are 30 litres of personal storage space in the cabin.

On the road the vehicle handles like a saloon feeling stable on corners despite being higher off the ground, and offering a comfortable ride.

The engine, the 110bhp version in this case, has plenty of low down torque while the acceleration feels quicker than the 0-60mph time of nearly 12 seconds.

Fuel economy is a claimed 72-odd mpg with CO2 emissions of 103g/km. Ideal for a family car, but even better for a business user with low Benefit in Kind taxation.

Renaults have a reputation for safety and include include assisted braking stability control with traction and understeer control, cruise control, speed limiter, hill start and six airbags.