THE PROBLEM with traditional 4x4s is that, although they may be great at some things, for everyday driving they don't make a lot of sense.

Too big, too fuel-inefficient and too darn expensive to run, car manufacturers are exploring new ways of offering today's motorists 4x4 fun but without the drawbacks.

One of the first out of the traps is the SEAT Freetrack.

Let's be clear about one thing, the Freetrack isn't a pukka off-roader. It doesn't have the ground clearance or the wheel articulation needed to follow a Land Rover through a muddy bog or forge across a ford (of the watery, not Dagenham, variety) without a second thought.

But how often do owners of regular off-roaders really push their vehicles to the limit?

I've done it, but never with a car I'd bought with my own money. Behind the wheel of my car the prospect of paying for a new exhaust or replacing a damaged panel was enough to bury my spirit of adventure for good.

Off-roaders sell on the perceived notion that they are safe in all-weathers, roomy for all the family and easy to drive because the sight line of even the smallest driver is usually over the roofs of normal' hatchbacks and saloons.

And they are.

But so is the Freetrack.

It boasts a very sophisticated fourwheel drive system devised by parent group VW, has more than enough room for the kids and sits higher than usual thanks to a hitched up ride height.

The Freetrack can also claim hothatchback levels of handling and performance, attributes that make it fun to drive in addition to its family runaround duties.

Based on the popular Altea XL - the stretched version of the Altea MPV that was launched last year - the Freetrack really does live up to SEAT's boast that it is three cars in one: a large family estate, a modest off-roader and a hot-hatchback.

I'd be the first to admit that the Freetrack is something of an acquired taste, looks-wise at least.

The transformation from Altea to Freetrack consists mainly of a load of black plastic cladding stuck to the bumpers, wheel arches and sills. They do nothing for the Altea's generally sporty looks but I'd guess all that thick plastic would resist car-park scrapes rather well.

SEAT has also added silvered under-body protectors to the front and rear but I really can't see anyone with serious off-road inclinations buying this car. Those protectors may save the sump but they wouldn't stop the same rock ripping off the expensive twin pipe exhaust.

Families, though, that's another story.

Silver roof rails are standard and you can lash down up to 75 kg of luggage to the roof. One minor but useful point is the mirrors, which are bigger than those on the Altea and afford a better view of what happening behind.

Sadly, SEAT could do nothing about the wide windscreen pillars that still cut into your forward peripheral vision.