The vehicles

We took a look at petrol and diesel 4WDs with engines up to 3 litres, although we went slightly over that size in a couple of the petrol ones.

Models we looked at:

• Daihatsu/Toyota Terios 4WD
• Holden Captiva SX
• Honda CRV Rvi
• Hyundai Tucson
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Jeep Cherokee
• Jeep Commander
• Jeep Patriot
• Kia Sportage
• Land Rover Freelander 3
• Mazda CX7
• Mitsubishi Outlander
• Nissan X-trail
• Renault Koleos
• SsangYong Kyron
• SsangYong Rexton II
• Subaru Forester
• Suzuki Jimny
• Suzuki Grand Vitara
• Toyota RAV4
• Volkswagen Tiguan
• Volvo XC60 D5

Manufacturers offer many versions of the same basic model, giving you various engine, transmission, trim, equipment and seating arrangements.

Most are 5-door vehicles and seat five people. But the small Suzuki Jimny comes only as a 3-door … the Suzuki Grand Vitara comes in 3- and 5-door versions … and the Holden Captiva and some versions of both the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Mitsubishi Outlander offer 7 seats.

Of the 22 models we surveyed, just 6 offered petrol-only engines. Diesel is a cheaper fuel and so reduces the running costs of these rather bulky and heavy vehicles.

If you want to tow a horse float or big boat – or venture far off the beaten track – a traditional 4WD would be more suitable. For around town, the only downside of our survey’s lifestyle 4WDs is their slightly higher fuel consumption (compared with a car of equivalent size).