RANGE Rovers have the astonishing capability to go almost anywhere, but few owners are likely to risk their expensive pride and joy in anything other than a muddy field.

I've never owned one - much though I would like to - but I have driven many of these magnificent machines on-road - where they are superbly cossetting and very quick.

And I have also driven them off-road over some of the most testing terrain in the country.

With a Land Rover expert in the passenger seat, I once navigated one on ordinary road tyres through the amazing mud, ruts and deep water of an army tank proving ground in Hampshire. It didn't hesitate even once.

But people don't drive such big SUVs because they are capable in the rough, they drive them because they can, because of the imperious driving position that gives such a good all round view.

And they drive a Range Rover because of its unsurpassed presence out on the road.

They are as good as most limousines, just as well equipped and the Sport models handle well through the corners without detracting from their comfort.

The Range Rover and Sport built from 2013 to the present have a choice of three petrol and five diesel engines, driving all four wheels through an eight speed automatic gearbox.

One of the petrols - the P400e - is a plug-in hybrid capable of 73 miles per gallon economy and very low emissions from a 2.0-litre engine and electric motor together producing 398bhp.

There is also a self-charging 3.0-litre diesel electric that's capable of 45mpg, and three versions of the same engine without electric assistance capable of between 40 and 29mpg.

Quickest and thirstiest is the supercharged 5.0-litre V8, which is glorious to drive and can reach 60 miles an hour from a standstill in just 5.1 seconds. But economy is likely to be 18 to 20mpg.

The other petrols are only just over a second slower and the diesels a little slower again.

All have Land Rover's Adaptive Dynamics electronic control system for the standard air suspension, that continually adjusts, automatically adapting for road and driving conditions, and always giving the best body control and comfort.

In fact comfort reigns supreme - just as it should in such a vehicle. The air suspension and marvellously sumptuous seats help give the impression of being separate from the world outside.

There is even a long wheelbase version with vast rear legroom and options including a fridge and electrically adjustable seats with massage built-in.

All are light to manoeuvre in the car park, but the driver is always aware of the bulk.

And should you have to tow a horsebox out of a muddy field, it will do so with ease. The Terrain Response system can automatically adapt to different surfaces like gravel, ice and snow, mud or grass, controlling grip and traction plus response to the accelerator.

Full service history is a must of course and I would get any that I was really interested in checked by a vehicle engineer or the AA/RAC.

The interiors are sumptuous, as you would expect, with everything that most owners could ever want coming as standard. And there has long been a list of personaliation options that will have been plundered by the original owner.

Most will have electric heated leather seats, traction control, sat nav, TV, climate, cruise, heated windscreen, alloys, parking sensors, loads of airbags and all the latest electronic safety devices.

Pay about £36,600 for a '15 15-reg 3.0-litre TDV6 Autobiography, or £64,000 for a '17 17-reg P400e Autobiography plug-in hybrid.