Toyota Land Cruiser LC5 £44,795

Go to any country in the world that has few roads, and you are guaranteed to see Toyota’s venerable Land Cruiser. It is probably the toughest, hardest-working off-roader on the planet, and the latest version does nothing to change that.

There is little chance of it becoming fashionable with the Chelsea tractor set, for in many ways it is proudly old-fashioned. Not for Toyota the modern monocoque construction favoured by Audi, Land Rover and VW. Instead, its body is bolted onto a ladder chassis — a principle that dates back to the horse and cart. And Toyota doesn’t feel the need to equip it with a smooth six-cylinder power unit: a gravelly 3-litre, four-pot diesel is the only engine on offer, mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox.

It is no surprise, then, that compared with a Land Rover Discovery 4 — its nearest rival — the Land Cruiser seems slow and unrefined. The effortless sophistication that pervades all areas of the Discovery, from its ride comfort to the design of its interior, is notable only by its absence in the Toyota.

Which is why it felt so strange to find myself enjoying the Land Cruiser more and more with every passing mile. There have been many cars that have at first felt convincing, only to end up disappointing, but very few that have managed it the other way around. The Land Cruiser is one such car, though.

It’s not that it suddenly gets faster or that the suspension becomes more supple or the engine less vocal. Instead, what wins you over is the authenticity and integrity of its design. This is the car for those who would sacrifice a little luxury in exchange for indestructible construction. If you want to feel in touch with your surroundings rather than distanced from them, put the Discovery order on hold until you try the new Land Cruiser.

It is also astonishingly capable off road, thanks to a crawler mode that allows you to select any speed from just less than 1mph to just above 3mph, take your foot off the accelerator and simply steer your way along even the most preposterously difficult terrain. Look on it as cruise control set at less than a walking pace.

This, then, is an honest, old-school SUV. Fashion victims will hate it, and I’d still prefer the more urbane Discovery for an everyday car. But if you just want a car that will seat seven, go anywhere and, crucially, last for ever, regardless of what you throw at it, then it’s this new Land Cruiser that you should consider first.

Engine 2982cc, four cylinders

Power 171bhp @ 3400rpm

Transmission Five-speed auto

Fuel 34.9mpg

CO2 214g/km

Acceleration 0-62mph: 11.7sec

Top speed 109mph

On sale Now

Rating HHHII

Verdict Tough as old boots ­ and it feels it

The rivals

Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE £47,695

For Smooth engine, ride and refinement

Against Very expensive, feels less robust than some

Audi Q7 3.0 TDI S-line £42,995

For Interior space, smart cabin design

Against Very ugly, poor ride quality