I THOUGHT that Hyundai and Kia had the best warranties available but they are matched - and even bettered - by one manufacturer.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross high riding medium soft roader comes with five year's warranty and five years breakdown cover, plus an unbeatable ten years for the engine and drivetrain.

Now that's the kind of security we should all have - if the car makers really believed in the reliability of their products like Mitsubishi does.

The Eclipse is a smooth roadgoing urban cruiser with stand out styling details and in the Mitsubishi tradition, the option of four wheel drive (4WD).

Few companies know more about SUVs than this one, which has been making them for many more years than most.

Manual models come with a six-speed, smooth-changing gearbox and front wheel drive, while the continuously variable automatic, which emulates an eight speed, is available with automatically engaging 4WD.

Acceleration and in gear urge from the new 1.5 petrol turbo engine are both excellent and it's smooth and quiet unless provoked up the rev range.

It's the only option at the moment, but there could be a larger diesel in the pipeline and with Mitsubishi's history, almost certainly a plug-in electric hybrid.

The petrol pulls happily from tickover speeds in all gears, and gives plenty of urge above 2,000 revs for overtaking, where thirdand fourthare the ones to choose.

It is also accomplished and stable through corners, with little roll and good support from the comfortable seats.

There's loads of grip and it tracks tightly through with good balance and decent feedback from the steering.

Others who have written about it say that comfort rates four out of five stars but I'm afraid I beg to differ.

On a 120 mile trip over every type of surface I found it lumpy at low speeds and uncomfortable over speed humps - something I thought it would take it its stride.

But it's also unsettled on anything but the smoothest surfaces at speed and every dip and ridge is transmitted through to the occupants.

Now this was the ‘3' model, which comes with 18 inch alloy wheels and low profile tyres. Perhaps it was this setup that spoiled the comfort - as it does with so many cars. Smaller wheels and higher profile tyres are almost always more comfortable.

The Eclipse Cross comes very well equipped in this model and there are two better kitted out models in the four tier range.

A media system with DAB radio, Apple Car play and Android Auto is complimented by Bluetooth and steering wheel controls.

It also has climate, cruise, automatic lights and wipers, automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning.

There's a head up display for speed, keyless entry and starting, front and rear parking sensors, and heated front seats.

The Eclipse Cross is an easy urban cruiser to drive and to own, with a high driving position giving a great view all round.

And of course, the added winter security of 4WD to keep going when others grind to a halt is a must for some.