SUVs continue to be all the rage and they don’t get much cooler than this.

Just look at it. Like most of Citroen's cars at the moment, it looks like it's come from the future.

And, indeed, inside and out that's a big feeling about this car, which is packed with tech to back up the looks.

Specs follow the usual Citroen levels, with Feel, Flair and Flair Plus being the options.

Standard spec is pretty generous, with Citroen's Progressive Hydraulic Cushion suspension the headline for all models, alongside things like electric windows all round, digital radio, smartphone integration, auto lights and wipers, climate control, rear parking sensors, safety kit such as lane departure warning system and alloys.

That's Feel spec - if you level-up to Flair, you can add front parking sensors, rear view camera, sat nav and other bits.

Flair Plus is billed as the one that adds style - not that this car needs an extra, to be honest.

But, anyway, you get the foot-operated rear tailgate, keyless entry and start, active cruise control, aluminium pedals, wireless phone charging, a panoramic glass roof and gloss black rear bumper fascia and upper radiator grille.

You might be wondering whether it backs up those looks with a good drive.

Yes, it does. It’s a beautifully smooth drive, especially with the excellent eight-speed automatic box in our tester, which is seamless on the shift and never over-revs.

It’s an infinitely comfortable ride and handling is engaging, with little roll for a fairly big and tall car.

Our model had a good amount of power and eco and sport modes to choose from and it also has some proper-ish off-road settings, for snow, mud and sand, as well as hill descent control.

Our tester was equipped with the excellent BlueHDI 130 engine, which is seen across the Peugeot, Citroen and DS ranges.

This 1.5 litre oil-burner is good for, on paper, 50-odd to the gallon and in the real world we got close, with an easy 40-plus in all conditions, from low 40s in town to mid-to-high-40s on the cruise.

Petrol-wise there are two choices, with a 1.2 offering 130hp or a 1.6 with 180hp on offer.

Both are good for around 40mpg on paper.

The highest-powered diesel also offers 180hp from a 2.0 litre unit good for mid-40s MPG.

On the inside the C5 Aircross feels premium and the design continues to be modern and futuristic, with rounded squares and rectangles wherever you look.

Tech includes a collision avoidance braking system, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, speed limit recongnition, adaptive cruise control, a fully connected infotainment system and the aforementioned foot-operated tailgate and colour reversing camera.

There's plenty of storage, with good space in the back and a generous boot.

The one-touch fold flat rears seats are very useful and easy to use - as a run to the tip during our time with the car showed.

The C5 Aircross is a quality effort, with that bit of French style to boot. Why have a bland SUV?

Prices run from £23,225 to £32,725.