4x4 category

WHAT IS IT?

The Jimny has been around for a staggering 13 years and harks back to small and agricultural 4x4s. During its life it's become a little more refined and stylish, although it does feel dated and it's not the most comfortable place to be. It scores highly in the cost of motoring awards, however, because it's cheap to buy and benefits from low  running costs - meaning that the little, well-equipped, Suzuki can make a good choice for those using it for short trips. It's even quite capable off-road with high ground clearance, a low-ratio gearbox and a tough separate chassis.  

VITAL STATISTICS

WHAT IS IT?

When the Freelander 2 was first introduced in 2006 it was a big step forward for Land Rover because it had a refined and premium feel, while being extremely capable on the road as well as off it. It's still the leader of the 4x4 pack: it's robust, well-built and reliable and manages the neat trick of being relatively car-like to drive. It's even pretty economical for a fully-fledged 4x4 - it's claimed to average 45mpg and the engine's rated at 147bhp and 420Nm of pulling power. It's capable of getting from 0-60mph in 11 seconds and is ideal for someone looking for a 4x4 alternative to a premium saloon or hatchback. It costs about £134 less a month to run than a BMW 520d - impressive stuff. 

VITAL STATISTICS

WHAT IS IT?

BMW's second-generation X3 is a vast improvement over the original one - it's better to drive, more capable off-road and BMW has also sharpened up the looks. The 2.0-litre diesel engine, which is the only choice, is powerful yet allows for an average economy of 50mpg which keeps fuel costs down. On the road it feels more like you're driving one of BMW's saloons, rather than a 4x4, which makes the X3 much more fun to drive than any of the competition. Cars like this are in demand so hold their money well, and when you take into account the high levels of standard equipment and excellent build quality then they can make sensible purchases.   

VITAL STATISTICS

WHAT IS IT?

The Touareg is one of the more modern 4x4s that's actually good off-road, while being refined and quiet on-road with an almost limousine-like drive. Being a Volkswagen it's reliable, so it should never give you any major grief. The engine's economical for such a strong 3.0-litre powerplant, averaging 37mpg and, despite the size and weight of the Touareg, it's surprisingly agile, while 0-62mph takes under eight seconds. Although it's one of the more upmarket and expensive off-roaders the running costs are considerably less than any of its competition, such as the Audi Q7. 

VITAL STATISTICS