Subaru Forester

Forester won't seduce you with its looks, lacking the high performance posturing of the Impreza WRX, the imposing bulk of a proper off-roader or the sophistication of an Audi All-Road. But we love it for its complete lack of pretentiousness - although it may look like the sort of car drivers of old Volvos would buy now that Volvo has gone all trendy. But it can ridicule all but the most serious of performance cars when you are off on holiday or going to the tip. It falls down off-road simply because of its limited ride height.

XC, XEN, AWD, X, S, XLN, XE, XT, XTE

Base model lacks alloy wheels but does get electric windows and mirrors, climate control and a CD player. Auto transmission is best avoided if you're ever likely to take it off road as it hampers control.

2.5 XTE