A RANGE Rover on ordinary road tyres will go through the mud, ruts and deep water of an army tank proving ground without missing a beat.

I know, because I've done it - that's how good these magnificent monsters are off-road.

But of course, most owners are never going to take their pride and joy, with its bespoke leather, Wilton and wood interior, anywhere near such rough stuff!

They drive a Range Rover because they can, and because of the imperious driving position that gives such a good all round view.

On-road they are as good as most limousines and just as well equipped, and the Sport models handle well through the corners without detracting from their comfort or off-road ability.

Range Rover and Sport built up to 2012 had a choice of 4.4 and supercharged 4.2 and 5.0-litre petrol engines, with 281, 390 and 503bhp respectively.

All offer good to barnstorming performance, but that comes with a commensurate thirst of about 17-18 miles per gallon.

Both are also available with diesel power, in the form of a 3.0-litre V6 with 174bhp and later 242, a 3.6 V8 with 267 and a 4.4 with 305. This 4.4 is actually the most economical of the three.

Petrol models come with a six speed automatic ‘box while the diesels have an eight speeder, and of course drive is permanently to all four wheels with the company's adaptive dynamics control system for the standard air suspension.

This continually adjusts, automatically adapting for road and driving conditions, giving the best body control and ride in all situations.

For this model, the body of both the Range Rover and the Range Rover Sport were the same tall shape, but the Sport rides lower and is more composed through the corners.

The best to go for are the 3.0-litre, 3.6 and 4.4 turbo diesels but the performance of the early 174bhp V6 can best be described as adequate.

The 3.6 sprints from 0 to 60 miles an hour in 8.6 seconds, while the 4.4 reaches the same speed in 7.5 and can manage 30 miles per gallon.

Full service history is a must of course, and I would get any that I was really interested in checked by a vehicle engineer or the AA/RAC.

The interior is sumptuous, as you would expect, with everything that most owners could ever want coming as standard

Most will have electric leather seats, traction control, climate, cruise, heated windscreen, alloys, loads of airbags, top electronic safety devices and heated front seats.

HSE adds audio remote, CD multichanger, parking sensors, headlight washers and even a phone.

Pay about £17,000 for an '11 11-reg 3.6TD Range Rover Vogue, £28,500 for a '13 13-reg 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography, or £21,700 for a '12 12-reg Sport HSE 5.0-litre supercharged.