BAIC

Chinese interpretation of Jeep’s Wrangler. Complete with externally hinged doors and removable roof panels, if you want to do the beach-posing thing during your coastal vacation.

Lots of standard kit and real off-road ability, with a low-range transfer case and an electronically locking rear axle.

A body-on-frame structure means it should handle the roughest terrain without strain, but ground clearance is adequate rather than exceptional at 210mm.

B40 rolls 17-inch wheels, which means you have excellent aftermarket all-terrain tyre options, and also great pothole strike survivability.

Two 2-litre turbocharged engine options, but the petrol version is wildly thirsty. And the diesel isn’t terribly powerful, but has much better range.

Sleek looking compact crossover with typically generous Chinese product-planning standard spec.

Like most similarly sized Chinese vehicles, the X55 is powered by a 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine that offers reasonable performance and refinement, but also higher-than-expected fuel consumption.

Cabin has an annoying lack of physical control for infotainment and climate control.

Entry-level Dynamic trim rolls on 18-inch wheels, which work best on South African road surfaces, compared to the mid- and upper-trim X55S on 19s.

Best buy is the Dynamic. It has all the infotainment tech you want, 6 airbags, and sensibly sized wheels with tyres that have more air volume and deliver better ride quality. And none of the elaborately annoying driver assistance systems.