Tall boy: 2011 Land Rover LR4

Once upon a time SUVs stood for unbridled machismo and a spirit of adventure; a time before David Beckham, before toners, exfoliating scrubs and manbags entered our jargon. Now urbanised, these SUVs may drive and handle better than their predecessor models, but that doesn't let them off the hook. Why have they all disguised themselves as soccer-mom carriers?

Honestly, I'm not being unreasonable; it's not that I don't get the whole form and function design ethos espoused by car manufacturers. I understand that an SUV should never look like a roadster, but surely they all don't need to look like vehicles so devoid of character (I'm looking at you, Nissan Patrol).

Speaking of character, the LR4 that arrived for my weekend test drive had a spiffy front grill, reminiscent of the richer big brother Range Rover. But as I cast my eyes from the front to the back, things started to go wrong once I reached the B-pillar. From there on, the LR4 looked like it'd swallowed the tail end of a caravan. But in its defence, it must be said that the LR4's look could grow on you. The awkward size may even be overlooked once you consider how well it behaves on tarmac and off-road. As for that Harmon Kardon music system, it is the best we've seen in an SUV for a long time now.

The LR4 runs on a 5.0-litre, V8 engine, which generates 375 horsepower. Now, you would expect something that looked like the LR4 to come with the drag coefficient of a small apartment block, but for a seven-seater SUV, the LR4 is surprisingly agile. The weighted steering's reassuring and the suspension feels like you are gliding across the tarmac. Another noticeable quality was the thin A-pillars that give the driver better visibility across corners, pretty much a bugbear for most SUV users. The Landie showed no signs of body roll around corners; a vast improvement, we are told, from its predecessor, the LR3. One of the things that impress about the LR4 is how well it handles for a car that can easily fit your office five-a-side football team and its manager.

This SUV's off-road prowess is controlled by a Terrain Response system, which controls the front, rear and centre differentials, air suspension, traction control high - and low-gear settings, and braking systems. There are presets for sand, snow, rock crawling and mud and the system automatically controls the variables according to the mode selected. I didn't have enough time with the car to give it a once-over in the desert, but the LR4 did attack a sandy stretch within the city without breaking a sweat.

The car will guzzle, but that shouldn't throw you off your seat. What did you expect from an SUV this size? When I returned the car to Land Rover on Sunday, the close to 87-litre tank was almost empty. Would I buy it? If I loved off-roading and couldn't resist leaving my friends and family back home, then yes. Else, it would mostly depend on whether I want to spend this kind of money on an expensive music system.

Time to grow up

Some cars were made to be convertibles and the Infiniti G is one of them. With the roof down and its subtly classy interior exposed, it goes from reasonably handsome (let's say Owen Wilson) to bonafide babe-magnet (Brad Pitt) in mere seconds. It's essentially a two-seater that seems to have been given a back seat as an afterthought. With the roof closed, only the vertically challenged should even think about squeezing into the rear. Still, this is a trifling fault. The Infiniti G is, for the most part, a princely marque that provides the driver with conveyor-belt smooth ride, even when you're really putting its 3.7-litre V6 engine to the test. I particularly loved the audio system (headrest speakers are new to me), the snug seats and the climate control system that allows you to be exactly as cool or warm as you want to be. Attractive, a treat to drive and not too extravagantly priced, it put a smile on my face for a whole weekend.

- Craig Hawes
Dh216.000, Arabian Automobiles, 800-INFINITI

Charging in

The glass in the 2011 Dodge Charger is larger than that of the previous models, ostensibly to give 15 per cent greater visibility but, we suspect, actually to give greater access should you ever feel inclined to climb in through the windows Luke Duke style. Revised bodywork includes the new Dodge signature crosshair grille, a more steeply raked windscreen, flared body side sills and slimmer door pillars. The rear features a 164 LED lamp ‘race track' graphic, and flashy twin chrome exhaust tips. Dodge made a great effort to stiffen the 2011 Charger's body and this, combined with multi-link suspension front and rear, leads to excellent grip and control. Obviously with a name like Charger you can't just put a 1.6-litre under the bonnet, so instead Dodge gives US customers a choice of either a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 or a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 engine (370 horsepower). Chances are that we'll be seeing the R/T model, which has the V8 engine, first in the Gulf.

- wheels report
Price TBA, Al Futtaim Motors, 04-206-6600

Quick spec

• Engine: 5.0-litre, V8
• Horsepower: 370hp
• Transmission: six-speed gearbox
• Wheels: 20in alloys
• Sound system: Harmon Kardon
• Capacity: seven passengers
• Cost: about Dh255,000 at all leading Land Rover dealerships