Toyota Rav4

The new RAV4 sets the standard by which all future soft roaders will be judged. Across-the-board improvements now mean that it's a cut above some of its old rivals - such as the Honda CR-V, Nissan X-Trail and Land Rover Freelander - and now competes much more closely with the BMW X3. The all-new RAV4 retains the rough outline of the old model - with smoother edges and neat design touches - but is in fact 145mm longer and 80mm wider than before. Choose from a 2.0-litre petrol or a 2.2-litre diesel with 140bhp or 180bhp. Prices start at £21,495 for the 2.0-litre VVTi XT4 and rise to £26,995 for the T180.

WTI, D-4D, XT3, XT4, XT5

Entry-level XT3 has driver and front passenger airbags, front side airbags, curtain airbags, driver's kneebag, ABS, four-wheel-drive, limited slip diff, electric power steering, height and reach-adjustable steering wheel, electric front and rear windows, heated electric door mirrors, six-speaker MP3 radio/CD player, air conditioning, remote central locking, alarm, immobiliser, driver's seat height adjustment, tinted glass, colour-keyed bumpers and door mirrors, 17-inch alloy wheels and roof rails. XT4 adds traction control, vehicle stability control, hill start assist, downhill assist control (auto only), retractable door mirrors, electric sunroof, leather steering wheel, leather gearknob, six CD autochanger, dual-zone climate control, glovebox chiller, leather upholstery and front fog lamps. XT5 has climate control, auto-dimming rear mirror, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, electrically-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats. The range-topping T180 gets a tyre pressure warning system, darkened rear privacy glass, colour-keyed wheelarch extensions, chrome front grille, 18-inch alloy wheels with run-flat tyres and headlamps with a smoked glass finish.

2.2 D-4D