SELECTING a four-wheel-drive vehicle to suit your own requirements has never been easier - or more difficult.

The paradox arises because customers are no longer restricted to the big, powerful if under-equipped machinery originally aimed at farmers and estate workers.

Today's 4x4 enthusiast can find something much more modest or even a vehicle that is hugely expensive, the limits are only set by what you need and how much you are prepared to pay.

At the bottom of the price ladder is the Lada Niva Hussar at #8395.

It has been around for 20 years and, despite a whole lot of changes along the way, is still fairly rough and ready, but it offers honest capability for those on a budget.

The same goes for the popular Suzuki Samurai soft top, #8580, which is smaller and has a lot less strength than the Lada, but has cute looks to compensate.

One of the more recent arrivals is the Asia Rocsta. Again aimed squarely at the younger driver, it is a copy of the wartime Jeep, but has a strong engine fitted to compensate for a bouncy ride.

Prices start at #9900.

You have to go to #10,335 for the Suzuki Vitara Sport or even the Daihatsu Sportrak 1.6 EXi before things begin to get comfortable, but even these cars could flounder over really tough terrain.

Real 4x4 motoring starts with the modestly priced, but eminently capable Daihatsu Fourtrak and Jeep Wrangler Sport.

The Jeep is cheaper, but comes with a 2.5-litre petrol engine installed.

Plenty of power, but high running costs.

Around this same price sector are some interesting alternatives, such as Toyotas RAV4, a fun vehicle with a decent off-road performance and the Kia Sportage, Koreas best stab yet at an on/off roadster.

Then come the mainstream Ford Maverick, SsangYong Musso, Nissan Terrano and Vauxhall Frontera cars.

How much you pay depends on your choice of engine and wheelbase, but they all combine genuine mud-plugging ability with a reasonably smooth Tarmac ride and generous interior equipment.

Above them again are such as the Land Rover Discovery and Range Rover, Mitsubishi Shogun, Vauxhall Monterey, Toyota 4Runner, Isuzu Trooper, Nissan Patrol, Toyota Landcruiser and Jeep Cherokee.

Prices vary as wildly as do equipment levels among this group, but all of them are capable of feats of extraordinary dexterity over really rough country while providing civilised motorway cruising.

Best value?

No easy answer to that question.

The solution is to take a test drive in as many of them as you can before reaching a final decision.

After all, if you are going to be paying up to #40,000 for a top of the range model a little time spent exploring the possibilities will pay dividends.

Although most buyers of on/off road vehicles somehow or other manage to find upwards of #15,000 to fund their purchases, many can be had for rather less than the cost of a modest family saloon.

One such vehicle is the recently announced Suzuki Vitara van.

Available at dealers now, it retains the stylish lines of the Vitara, but adds the load carrying practicality of a utility vehicle.

A comprehensive JLX specification, (power steering, side impact beams and electric mirrors are all standard), offers true car comfort for driver and passenger, while the load area, generous payload and a go anywhere selectable 4WD capability add plenty of operational versatility.

The familiar 79bhp, 1.6 litre Suzuki engine is installed and is matched to a 5-speed manual gearbox and transfer box - allowing high or low ratio four-wheel drive to be engaged - for year-round flexibility, whether on tarmac or down among the rough stuff.

Extensive body side panels provide plenty of space for the owner's company name/logo and a range of accessories is available.