Jeep G. Cherokee CRD Overland

That includes leather, digital climate control, an auto box, 10-CD changer and electric sunroof. The car has all manner of off-road goodies, too, with skid plates to protect the sills, engine, exhaust and transmission. Excessive? Maybe, but as enthusiasts form a large part of Jeep's customer base, they must be catered for.

As an off-roader, the Overland is excellent, with mud-plugging abilities to rival the hardiest of 4x4s. Not that many will venture into the rough - with ornate alloys and metallic paint, this has clearly been developed as the ultimate expression of the Jeep image. Unfortunately, that's where it loses out. Despite the array of kit, the interior plastics feel brittle, the switches don't fit properly and some of the graphics are tacky. It suffers on the road, too. The steering is lifeless, the suspension transfers bumps into the cabin and body roll is plentiful in bends.

In America, they say there's no substitute for cubic inches, but in this case there is. The diesel is smoother and just as refined as the V8, and gives quicker responses and slick shifts via the auto. The equipment list alone is unlikely to tempt you away from a Range Rover. But the ΂£11,500 price difference might...