LET'S get one thing straight - few of us buy SUVs for their off-road capability. Far and away more important are qualities like style, looks, performance and economy.

Possibly the most successful recent arrival in the four-wheel-drive sector is the mid-sized Evoque. And its popularity has attracted a number of rivals - from Porsche, Mercedes and BMW, all prestige makes which specialise in blending performance, dynamic driving and luxury.

It was almost inevitable that BMW's offering would bear more than a passing resemblance to the huge but brutally rakish X6, a coupe-style off-roader with intimidating looks that has been a massive hit with Middle East markets.

The new X4 is effectively a scaled down X6, but the proportions somehow sit more easily with its more compact dimensions, making it a very strong challenger to the Evoque or Q5.

Available only as a diesel, there are three engine options - 20d, 30d and 35d, the last two are six cylinders. I opted for the mid-range 30d which carries a price tag of £46,395 in M Sport guise as driven. The cheapest model, the 20d SE starts at £36,595.

Although the smallest engine is hardly sluggish, the 255bhp 30d is a truly robust mile-muncher which can dispose of the 62mph dash in under six seconds. It pulls like a train - better actually - from just 1,700rpm and never seems to run out of impetus up to its 145mph maximum. A slick, well-ratioed eight-speed automatic gearbox with lightning quick reactions makes the most the power.

The ride is supple enough but push hard and cornering roll remains modest as the body is kept in check. The X4 feels taut and rigid over all surfaces. The steering is precise and reasonable weighted even though it lacks a sporty feel.

Thrash the SUV hard and you are unlikely to see economy sink below the 27mpg mark. Nurse it and the result will be around 36mpg - pretty useful for a powerful five seater.

The electronic tailgate, which rises are shuts rapidly, reveals a good sized regular-shaped 500-litre boot. The rear backrests flip down or split to make more luggage room (up to 1,400 litres).

It is not quite so spacious as the more ordinary-looking X3 but roomy enough for most families. There are loads of cubbies and deep door pockets to help make it family friendly and the flat surfaces abound, meaning it is good for picnics.

The cabin is comfortable and beautifully furnished with high grade materials. Even the SE gets leather upholstery, sat-nav, dual zone climate control and digital radio.

The M Sport is treated to special front seats which are electrically adjustable, 19-inch alloys and leather trimmed sports steering wheel. Controls are super-easy to operate and the dashboard layout is refreshingly logical.

One criticism is the thick windscreen pillars which are heavily raked. This can hamper visibility particularly when negotiating country roads with tight bends.