Lexus RX300

LEXUS is fielding a challenger in the UK's burgeoning executive 4x4 sector more than two years after the vehicle appeared in the US. Described as a 'luxury sport utility vehicle' the RX300 appears to have reached the UK at the right time, with arch rivals Mercedes-Benz and BMW already establishing footholds in the market.

New vehicles are due from Land Rover (a new Range Rover will be launched next year) as well as a joint project from Volkswagen and Porsche.

The RX300 has already achieved success in the US by becoming the top selling Lexus and best selling 'compact SUV' (they make 'em big over there). The Lexus claims to provide a car with off road ability, but without the on-road compromises often associated with all-wheel drive vehicles. Prices start at ú28,950 rising to ú34,890 for the SE version with optional DVD satellite navigation tested here.

For that money you could also have a BMW X5 3.0i, a Mercedes-Benz ML320 with a few optional extras thrown in or a top-spec Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7 Limited with a few thousand pounds change. We decided to compare with the 4.7-litre V8 Grand Cherokee rather than the slightly more economical 4.0-litre straight six because both exceed the maximum threshold for CO2-based company car tax and the V8 is closer to the others on price.