Until a few years ago four-wheel drives were seen as being largely the preserve of farmers and other rural drivers looking for a comfortable way of negotiating bumpy country roads - the sort of roads that are simply no-go to ordinary saloons or hatchbacks - but that has all changed.

Until a few years ago four-wheel drives were seen as being largely the preserve of farmers and other rural drivers looking for a comfortable way of negotiating bumpy country roads - the sort of roads that are simply no-go to ordinary saloons or hatchbacks - but that has all changed.

The main brand names in this fast-evolving sector may still include <a href="http://www.jeep.co.uk/4x4/" target="_blank" title="Jeep Homepage">Jeep</a> and <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/car-manufacturers/land-rover/" target="_blank" title="Telegraph: Land Rover Article">Land Rove</a>r, but these famous names no longer connote automatically to high fuel consumption and needlessly large vehicles.

It seems the notoriety 4X4’s used to have as gas-guzzling energy-unfriendly “tanks” has been all but forgotten, to be replaced by a growing appreciation of luxury new models such as the Range Rover Evoque (designed to rival the likes of the large Bentley models, or the Porsche Cayenne).

Meanwhile both firms are also producing an array of fuel-economic 4X4’s, which typically have both lower emissions and also road tax bands than an average Vauxhall Astra - and for the majority of motorists that’s one very salient consideration.

Accessibility has replaced ostentatious expense, with newer brands such as Dacia Duster and the Nissan Qashqai bringing the new wave of 4X4’s within reach of a potentially much larger number of drivers.

<img style="width: 590px; height: 320px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="/media/1059/dacia-duster-affordable-yet-capable-4x4-car.jpg?width=590px&height=320px" alt="Border Telegraph: Dacia Duster - Affordable yet Capable 4x4 Car" rel="84720" /> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Picture: Dacia Duster – Affordable yet Capable 4x4 Car</strong> <p style="text-align: center;"> One of the critical developments behind this surge of new development was certainly the introduction of road tax bands based on fuel emissions, and it is hardly surprising this 2001 legislation was followed by a “green revolution” in 4X4 design - and, as an important bonus, the advent of much more affordable pricing.

Engine development has kept pace with ambitious new design, with smaller engines delivering noticeably more bang for the motorisr’s buck than previously.

The machines are noticeably lighter too, with no unnecessary weight to put undue pressure on precious fuel - they’re simply more economical to drive than the juggernauts of yesteryear.

The net result is a win-win situation for motorists across the spectrum, with buyers of top end models enjoying the increasing luxuries of brands like the Range Rover Evoque and Porsche Cayenne, while the wider market can choose from an impressive selection of more accessible models without having to worry about massive road tax bills and swinging fuel prices.

<img style="width: 588px; height: 404px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="/media/1061/porsche-cayenne-a-luxurious-all-wheel-drive.jpg?width=588px&height=404px" alt="Border Telegraph: Porsche Cayenne - A Luxurious All Wheel Drive" rel="84722" /> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Picture: Porsche Cayenne –</strong><span><strong> A Luxurious All-Wheel-Drive</strong> </span> The present boom may have arisen for very practical reasons - those top-performing motor firms are happy to invest on new development if it’s guaranteed to sell vehicles - but from the customer point of view things could hardly be better.

Some who were originally dismayed by that 2001 fuel-emission legislation may now be able to reflect that the spin-off made it all worthwhile, thanks to a high-powered motor industry able to respond quickly and effectively to emerging challenges.

The future seems to lie with a new generation of 4X4’s which are relatively inexpensive for what’s involved, and available in a wide variety of options.

And meanwhile those tax laws are proving a sound idea after all, because these vehicles are environmentally friendly too.

by <strong>Gary Farmer</strong> <span> </span>