DOWN the years, there have been two Land Cruiser ranges from Toyota, the big Amazon with its 4.0-litre diesel engine and the smaller model with a 3.0-litre four cylinder in recent years.

This was known as the Colorado until 2002 when it became the plain Land Cruiser and is a chunky three or five door hatch with all the right off-road credentials, should you wish to take to the mud.

It's about the size of a Land Rover Discovery and most available on the second-hand market will have the 161bhp four cylinder diesel turbo power unit.

This gives fairly limited acceleration given the big weight and size of the animal, but once up to speed it can keep up with motorway traffic quite easily.

Comfort is good over all kinds of surfaces and although there is lots of roll in the corners it still clings on remarkably well for something so high.

Many five door models will come with seven seats, although as with most others the rear two are only big enough for children.

: Land Rover Discovery