Mitsubishi Outlander

The new Mitsubishi Outlander is driven by a punchy 2.0 litre, 16v, turbocharged, direct injection diesel engine with six-speed manual transmission. Yet it still returns, on average, more than 40 mpg. The new Outlander can seat up to seven in a vehicle with a smaller footprint than a Ford Mondeo. It's green on emissions, too, being in the lowest VED band of any SUV with this seating capacity and so escaping the proposed £25 London congestion charge.

Being a Mitsubishi, it's still a real 4x4, with integrated All Wheel Control which gives handling, traction and stability suited to the harshest driving conditions.

In 5- or 7-seater guise the Outlander is practical, versatile and clever. The cargo space is enormous - enough to swallow a couple of mountain bikes whole - and easy to load via a split tailgate. With many inspiring features you can't fail to be impressed by the new Outlander.