Possibly the strangest of the lot a small hatchback which rides high because of its four wheel drive train (although weirdly there’s also a two wheel drive version with similar ground clearance) but which lacks any known capability to traverse rough ground.

It’s father like this bloke out of the Village People who used to liven up as a New York Policeman; he may have looked half real, however , you knew he wasn’t a genuine cop.

So rather than handling you receive a car that lurches around bends. You will find much better methods for spending exactly the same money.

A little city car that is available only in 1.1 litre form, Alto has five doors along with a higher level of normal equipment than you may expect for any car which costs so little.

Power steering, central locking, anti-lock braking, electric windows, the vehicle has all of them. Also, more than compensate for the driving experience, that is underwhelming at best; the 1.1 claims 62PS, but a number of them appear to become hiding every time they are called upon.

Handling is predictable, tending towards under-steer once the car is built to corner prematurely, and here’s no sense of the controls being attached to the road.

The vehicle that started out an entire trend for sporty dirt machines has sadly been overtaken by many newer arrivals, like the Honda SR-V or Land Rover’s Freelander.

Provided with a range of engines from the puny 1.6 to a useful and smooth V6, with a choice of two wheelbases, the Grand Vitara has the capacity to offer something for many buyers.

On-road the vehicle can feel just a little vague, but it’s extremely capable dirt, thanks to a classy transmission system including locking front differential hubs. Equipment levels are good/build quality likewise.

Even with built cars for quite some years, to most the brand Suzuki continues to be synonymous with either motor cycles or outboard engines. Which probably explains why Suzuki provides the most curious bundle of cars provided by any single manufacturer.

At the end end of the market is the Alto, a little city car and also at the top the Grand Vitara XL-7; a seven seater sports utility.

Between come such weird and wonderful machines since the Ignis -which has four wheel drive and appears like a mini-SUV but doesn’t have discernable off-road abilities. And also the Wagon R, the industry tall, skinny city car.

It’s hard to gain sense at all of corporate direction from searching the Suzuki cars range. Or possibly there isn’t one to locate. This apparent insufficient cohesion appears to matter to not buyers, who appreciate high quality and mechanical integrity, both key virtues of the Japanese manufacturer.

Subaru’s reaction to crossover vehicles like the Volvo XC-70, although small compared to that car and half the cost is a hugely competent all wheel drive machine that accompany the 2.0 litre flat four engine also based in the entry-level Legacy.

The larger ride height impacts handling, it’s not as precise and versatile as other Subarus however the payback with this trade is definitely an ability to cope with rutted roads.

Which possibly explains why nearly all buyers are farmers and gamekeepers. An appropriate ride, and exemplary amounts of reliability, are further virtues of the respected Forester.

Now repackaged right into a more solid, integrated looking body, the Impreza emerges as a sedan along with a hatch, both with four passenger doors.

Superb performance may come as standard, the WRX hot-shot version even more so and also the level of grip afforded through the four wheel drive system needs to be experienced to become believed.

The inside trim looks a bit cheap occasionally, but the looks can deceive; despite looking flimsy the inside panels are extremely durable.

A regular high flyer when it comes to ownership satisfaction, Impreza lives as much as its name – it truly impresses.

A basic hero, legacy has at its heart an excellent horizontally opposed engine. Only Subaru and Porsche make use of this configuration.

Using the six cylinder 3.0 litre pumping out 245PS as well as the entry-level flat four delivering up a good 138PS; and the excellent torque that the fiat engine develops, you receive a lot of engine for modest prices.

Road holding is great thanks to a minimal centre of gravity and also the superb all wheel drive system, and also the Legacy also supplies a useful quantity of interior space.

The best option is the 3.0 estate, which supplies lots of room along with a truly solid lasting forever feel. Quiet, urbane styling helps legacy hit the mark with buyers.

Best-known because of its Impreza; Subaru is a brand which has built a whole reputation round the concept of four wheel drive cars. The look of the Impreza has quietened down just a little since the excesses of the couple of years ago, WRX street racer excepted; but remains as mechanically potent as always beneath its more sophisticated exterior.

The Forester is just about the transport of preference for rural veterinarian surgeons throughout Europe, as have three variants of Legacy, the sedan, estate and crossover estate.

Add into this combination an impressive record at winning countless rallies on the planet Championship also it becomes apparent this is far more than simply another small-scale Japanese car maker.

In only the same way as Porsche makes a virtue of their adherence to a flat six engine, so it’s with Subaru, which uses boxer (horizontally opposed) engines in the range use a low centre of gravity along with a high level of user-friendly torque.

A brief wheelbase 3 door machine that’s more sporting than utility, Korando has simple uncluttered lines which have helped it age more gracefully compared to Musso which appeared at very similar time.

The familiar package of Mercedes Benz engines and driveline (only the one diesel choice, a 2.9 turbo, and also the usual 2.3 and 3.2 petrol units) a higher build quality and nice focus on detail assist the car maintain its steady, if unspectacular, sales performance.

Along with the hardtop version that’s familiar to many European drivers, there’s also a soft top variant offered in certain markets, which makes it a real threat towards the Land Rover Freelander.

Ssangyong’s only sedan actively seeks all the world such as the old type of Mercedes Benz S-Class. Possibly because it is exactly what it is; several extra whistles and bells, but essentially it’s a redundant Mercedes limousine given a brand new lease of life.

Offered having a choice of two wheelbases; the longer one achieved by inserting a stretcher section between your doors with a selection of 2.3, 2.8 or 3.2 litre petrol engines (no diesel)

The equipment is obviously tailored for the high fliers in Korean society. Lavishly equipped and trimmed but a much cheaper option than the current S-Class, you’ll be able to understand the appeal.

Flagship of the range, and drawing heavily on Mercedes-Benz M-Series technology to make sure it works in addition to it does, the handsomely designed machine can be obtained with whether workmanlike and durable 2.9 diesel engine, or perhaps a locally-sourced variant of the esteemed M-B320 V6 petrol engine.

This latter options are the better of the two with a country mile; smooth, powerful and ideally suitable for the substantial Rexton’s four wheel drive machine.

A superior quality interior and styling that owes far more to Europe than it will to Korea equal to a surprisingly desirable package that’s too often overlooked by audience.

Originally aided within the development of its selection of 4×4 sports utility vehicles by Mercedes-Benz. Korean car maker Ssangyong later became a part of the mighty Daewoo empire, as well as for several years in the end of the 1990s its products were bought from some markets underneath the Daewoo badge.

However Daewoo went to the wall, and Ssangyong were able to extract itself from that deal. Since that time it has launched several new or updated models; establishing itself as a solid third-largest marque in the native land.

Success on one level is matched by exposure in others, though, and also at the point of writing the near future of this debt-laden business (that was forced to market of chunks of itself to its creditors) is not even close to secure.

It might be a shame if Ssangyong ended up being to disappear: celebrate some good vehicles which could continue to attract buyers. The actual problem facing the brand is to discover partner that it may trust to assist it make its distance to a wider world.