NISSAN'S tough Terrano has been around quite a while, but regular model updates keep it looking fresh, and performing as powerfully as ever.

It isn't as suave as Volvo's XC90, or as sassy as BMW's X5, but it's built to mean business, and both the three and five-door Terranos have a very durable air about them.

The overall image, though, lends itself more to a sophisticated street look rather than that of an out-and-out off-roader.

And that's probably why the Terrano is tops with business buyers, and the best-selling medium-sized 4x4 in Europe.

The clean lines and big 17-inch alloy wheels can certainly cut a dash in the company car park, before heading home for the weekend to hitch up the horsebox to go off into the wild green yonder. But looks aren't everything.

A good balance of on-road economy, while driving just the two front wheels, and rugged off-road ability, after switching to power all four wheels, is another the Terrano's strengths.

That sophisticated drivetrain provides an excellent ride on tarmac, and tons of traction for the tough stuff. Changing from two to four-wheel drive can be done on the move, and you can then flick into low-ratio mode for the really heavy going.

The limited slip differential also helps take care of you on really slippery surfaces, and the 3.0 litre diesel engine has enough grunt to see the Terrano through the trickier tough stuff.

The 154bhp power unit isn't the most agile turbo-diesel on the market it takes 13.5 seconds to do 62mph - but it's four cylinders walk the walk, and torque the talk.

Noise levels are fairly well suppressed, and don't intrude too much even as you approach the 105mph top speed.

The ride is at car-like levels on the road, with none of the float-away vagueness that some rivals possess. The Terrano's height means exercising a little caution on corners, but the resulting lean doesn't detract too much from the generally good handling.

The suspension will easily soak up potholes without throwing the longer-wheelbase five-door version off course, and, reassuringly, it doesn't bounce around off-road, either. Keep the vehicle in two-wheel mode, and you'll see mpg not far short of the 40 mark.

The only valid complaint about the whole Terrano experience is the cramped driving position, with insufficient seat rake for longer legs. The vehicle's smaller 4x4 sibling, the X-Trail, has a far roomier feel to the cabin.

The five-door Terrano Sport costs £23,295, and is very highly specified at that. On test was the seven-seater Cayman edition, which also had an impressive safety and security agenda.

The doors have the anti-hijack locking feature, together with a full alarm system. There's driver, passenger and full side airbags, and anti-lock brakes with electronic assistance and force distribution.

The Cayman's kit list boasts darkened privacy glass for rear occupants, black leather seat trim, aluminium side steps, metallic paint, all-electric windows, air conditioning, a CD/radio with six speakers and remote controls.

The luxury fitments fall just short of being Range Rover-lavish, and the highly-practical Terrano range can offer 4x4 fans something to suit most budgets, coming in at £17,395 for the 2.7 diesel Sport.