If this were a horse race, the bookies would have stopped taking bets on the Discovery. Having won the heavyweight class two years in succession, it was always the red-hot favourite.

The big Land Rover is even better than before, thanks to the addition of an eight-speed automatic gearbox. It shifts more smoothly than the old six-speeder and, along with tweaks to the engine, improves performance and economy. This year the Discovery marched from 30-60mph in just 11.4 seconds.

Big 4x4s sometimes struggle with the lane-change test, but the Discovery 4 is crisp, assured and entirely in control.

With or without a caravan, the Land Rover is a luxurious way to travel, thanks to its supple ride and roomy cabin. There are seats for seven, and if the rear two are stowed, there is more than enough space for a fortnight’s holiday luggage. In fact, there’s little on our list of what makes a practical towcar that the Discovery doesn’t have. Only the high purchase price and
running costs count against it.