THE latest Kia Sorento 4x4 is cheap to buy second hand and comes with the remainder of its unbeatable seven year warranty.

It's a large 4x4 with loads of comfort, powerful 2.0 or 2.2-litre diesel engines and surprisingly good handling.

I have driven two different versions, both powered by the 2.2 engine, which is the best seller by a huge margin.

Some come with five seats but the majority have seven - the rear two folding up easily out of the big boot floor.

That diesel engine is excellent - right up there with the best of the rest - and it matches that competition in every other way too except price.

The engine is smooth and quiet and gives a huge surge of acceleration in the mid-range whenever it is needed, with either six-speed manual or automatic gearboxes..

The road-holding, which I expected to be roly-poly like so many other 4x4s, was much less so with very good grip.

Top models come with electrically adjusted leather seats, sat nav and parking sensors, but even the cheapest KX1 comes with air con, alarm, alloys and heated electric mirrors.

There's loads of interior space, the boot is huge and all come with a full-size spare wheel - something most others charge extra for.