Yes, it would be wonderful to have a top-end Range Rover on the drive but what if your finances can’t stretch to such a massive investment?

Well, Korean manufacturer Kia can offer an affordable alternative that looks imposing, oozes quality and at half the price gives you everything but the prestige brand. It’s called the Sorento. The 2.2 CRDI KX2 version I tested can be yours for a great value £27,295.

A genuine SUV that also offers MPV practicality, this all-new version is built on a tough monocoque chassis, matches improved on-road manners to increased off-road equipment, comes in five or six seat versions allied to a choice of two or four-wheel drive – and an unrivalled seven year or 100,000 mile warranty.

More upmarket in appeal and stylish in looks than its predecessor, the Sorrento is lower, longer and lighter, giving improved aerodynamics and fuel efficiency.

There’s a choice of two of Kia’s acclaimed R-family diesel engines – a 2.0 litre unit and a 2.2, with a choice of manual or automatic gearbox.

Replacing the former 2.5-litre unit, the 2.2 comfortably out-performs most four-cylinder and many V6 units from rival manufacturers. Torque, power, emission levels and fuel consumption are all improved over the previous engine.

2.2-litre versions offer sub 10-second acceleration times, 118-mph top speeds and combined cycle consumption figures of around 40-mpg.

Traction control systems help prevent wheelspin, backward slipping and running away downhill when driving off-road, giving the Sorento serious cross-country capability.

There are five available rim levels with black wood-grain dash and door trim co-ordinating with black cloth, metallic dash and door trim matched to black leather seating, or, on top-end models, the option of cream leather at no extra cost.

There’s also a variety of in-cat entertainment systems to choose from while Bluetooth with voiced recognition is standard on KX-2 and KX-3 versions.

For comfort and convenience, all models have driver’s seat height adjustment, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment and all-round electric windows with auto-down on the river’s side.

Besides a superb sat-nav system, my test car came with an advanced reversing camera that provides a colour view of any obstacles to the rear when reversing. The image is displayed on a 6.5-inch touch-screen display.

Though crafted in Kia’s California design studio, the latest Kia Sorento is spot-on for the UK market.