Question: I’m looking at a 4x4. I know about the Range Rover and the Mitsubishi Shogun but what else is out there that you would recommend?

Our experts reply: Yes, both of those are good vehicles with a great pedigree, but there is a much wider choice in the 4x4 segment now than in previous years. Here are our three to take for a test drive.

Fiat Panda

Yes, this definitely isn’t a Range Rover or Shogun, but the Fiat Panda 4x4 has been with us for 30 years now. This Panda looks agreeably rugged with its body-coloured '4x4 style' bumpers with satin aluminium finished skid-plate, roof rails and so on. It's a little bigger, quite a bit better built and with a good diesel and a great petrol engine to choose from.

The Fiat Panda 4x4 is a car that makes a lot of sense to those looking for all-weather ruggedness in a compact form. Although the all-wheel drive version of this car will remain a minority interest model in the UK, it still makes a great buy if you need to get from A to B in all weather conditions and occasionally off the beaten track too but don't want the expense or bulk of a big SUV. The Panda 4x4 remains the best of its ilk.

  • Available from Keswick Motor Company in Keswick and from Border Cars in Carlisle and in Lillyhall, Workington – and remember to check your local used specialists.

Toyota Rav4

The RAV4 has grown ever bigger and ever more sophisticated, and the fourth-generation car is a smarter take on a well-established theme.

Its development in recent times gives it a smarter look with a range of attractive trim packages and a smarter feel, plus the option of hybrid power.

It's easy to underestimate quite what a debt of gratitude we owe the Toyota RAV4. When it arrived in 1994, a modestly-sized 4x4 was likely to fall over if it was shown a picture of a corner. But, the RAV4 changed all that, being the first small 4x4 that was actually good fun to drive on road. Toyota's latest-generation RAV4 has become quite the polished item and recent spec changes make it look an attractive showroom proposition too.

  • Available from Myers & Bowman in Workington, Border Motor Group in Carlisle and your local used specialists.

Kia Sorento

The Kia Sorento has ambition. What started life as an agricultural cheapie has been fettled and polished into something far more refined.

This improved third-generation model looks to be really hitting its stride. It's hard not to be impressed at the way Kia has made it better looking than before and plenty of engineering input has gone into refinement. It's just a more assured and confident design, looking a good deal more expensive than it is and even in a notoriously badge-conscious sector it would, in many ways, appear to be just too much of a bargain to overlook. Try one before you choose something pricier in this segment.

  • Available from Border Cars in Carlisle, Walkingshaw in Workington, Rayrigg Motors in Windermere, Lookers in Newcastle and remember to check your local used specialists.