AT £45,000, the latest Jeep Cherokee comes loaded with kit and yet undercuts its heavyweight 4x4 competitors.

I recently had a short drive in the Overland, in the middle of a three model range and it impressed me with a wide range of abilities.

There is only one engine option - a 3.0-litre diesel V6 shared with the Mercedes M-Class - with which it also shares its chassis and running gear.

Performance is strong on the road, with plenty of urge, but kickdown is a little slow - in the way of many automatics - when you really need it.

Off-road capability is excellent - as you would expect from a Jeep - with hill descent control and low-range gears.

It's an easy-to-live-with long distance cruiser but the ride is fidgety at times on rougher road surfaces.

However, air suspension does give poise and a positive feel most of the time, plus good handling and road-holding.

Inside it is beautifully equipped and very refined, with electrically adjusted and heated leather seats, aircon, alarm, alloys, cruise, sunroof, a full size spare wheel, parking sensors, sat nav and traction control.

Some of the plastics are a let down though and not really good enough for this kind of price level.