IT might not have the same cachet, but the VW Touareg is very much the same car as the Porsche Cayenne and is built on the same production line.

Not only is it much cheaper, it's also better to drive and easier to live with than the Porsche.

It rides better, is just as quick with the same engine and is also better looking.

Petrol engines are either 3.2 V6 or the Audi 4.2 V8, both of which are very thirsty as you can imagine.

But the diesels start with a five cylinder 2.5 which has 170bhp and then goes up to 3.0-litre V6 with power ranging from 204 to 245bhp at different times. There is also a thirsty but awesomely powerful 5.0-litre V10 with 308.

The lower two of this threesome are the ones to go for, offering good performance and 25-28mpg economy.

The Touareg is a big, tough, well-built 4x4 which is very capable off-road and hugely likeable and easy to drive on the road.

They come with all the electronic aids you could want, plus alloys, climate, cruise and an excellent stereo. Top models get electric heated leather seats and later models will often have sat nav.

The big seats are very comfortable and still offer plenty of support and the driving environment is marvellous.