Honda CR-V 2.0 i-VTEC Executive SUV 5dr Petrol Manual (216 g/km, 148 bhp) for £2,295

PROS Great in corners, unique styling, superb build quality, excellent diesel engine, refined Honda's CR-V is one of the UK's favourite 4x4s at a time when they seem to be coming under ever closer scrutiny by legislators and pressure groups. Far from being a polluting, inefficient monster truck, the CR-V is whiter than white. It takes up no more road space than a family saloon (it's shorter than the Honda Accord), returns fuel consumption of up to 44mpg in everyday driving, and its front end has been designed to cause minimum damage to pedestrians in an accident. This model is also less thirsty, less polluting, more practical and better to drive than its predecessor. It's also available with Honda superb i-CTDi engine – one of the best diesels around.