VAUXHALL bounces back into the sports utility category this summer with the all-new Antara.

Standard kit included on all versions includes; Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive, a Descent Control System, air conditioning, remote control ultrasonic alarm, front fog lights, silver-coloured roof rails, 17-inch alloy wheels and a CD with MP3 compatibility and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

Moving up the Antara S features; 18-inch alloys, climate control, heated front seats, cruise control, Automatic Lighting Control, rain-sensitive wipers, heat-reflective windscreen, self levelling suspension and chrome detailing on the door handles and exhaust tailpipe.

Top model Antara SE is supplied with; a DVD sat-nav, six-disc CD changer with MP3 capability, a built-in Bluetooth phone kit, xenon headlamps, leather seat facings, electro-chromatic anti-dazzle rear-view mirror and electrically foldable door mirrors, front and rear parking distance sensors and tyre pressure monitoring system.

The only option will be the Flex-Fix integrated bike carrier system, as first seen on the New Corsa and priced at £475.

Antara E is available with a choice of a 2.4-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine and manual gearbox or a 2.0-litre CDTi 16v diesel with a manual or five-speed automatic gearbox. The Antara S and SE are available with the 2.0-litre CDTi engine with a manual or auto box.

In normal road use Antara operates as a front-wheel drive car then automatically switches to four-wheel drive when the car's ESP electronics sense that the extra traction is needed.

Vauxhall says the set-up delivers economy benefits over permanent four-wheel drive systems - delivering 37.7mpg on the combined cycle for the 2.0CDTi manual and producing 198g/km of CO2.

Prices start at £19,850 rising to £27,695.