I can understand why people would question what a Fiat Sedici is for. After all, it doesn't have the capability to tackle serious off-road stuff, so surely for 99 per cent of the time its all-wheel drive ability is utterly redundant? Well, yes and no. It's a little bit like a racing driver saying that he drove brilliantly for 99 per cent of a race and had an incident during the other 1 per cent that resulted in a DNF. Sometimes that one per cent makes all the difference.

It certainly did when I tested the Sedici 1.9 Multijet during some recent flooding. Not only was I glad of the increased ride height but I was able to crab along a muddy shoulder, avoiding the deepest water that was sending all drivers who weren't equipped with all-wheel drive on a twenty mile detour. The torque of the diesel engine was just enough to carry the day, all four wheels desperately zizzing for purchase in the glop. My country driving route to work means that I'll experience these sorts of conditions or snow maybe four or five days a year. That would be enough to justify the Sedici for me.

Being an avid skier, I also like a car that can spend at least two weeks of the year in the Alps and which won't let me down while it's there. Such a car must be big enough inside to seat four, be capable of taking a ski box on the roof and not be so thirsty that I'm bankrupted by each 2,000 mile round trip. The Sedici 1.9 Multijet again answers the call. The 8v powerplant develops a healthy 120bhp but the headline figure is the 206lb/ft of torque. By contrast, the 1.6-litre petrol version can manage 107lb/ft of torque, so the diesel feels almost twice as muscular when accelerating through the gears. It's also very handy when trying to do the sort of low speed, high gear lugging that's crucial to making progress on low-friction surfaces like mud, ice and snow.

Displacing 1,910cc, this advanced diesel unit will power the Sedici to 60mph in a brisk 10.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 112mph. Around town, you should see fuel consumption in the region of 34.9mpg: on a run, Fiat quotes a figure of 49.6mpg with a combined rating of 42.8mpg. The carbon dioxide emissions figure of 174g/km is perhaps this engine's only Achilles heel, something like Skoda's Octavia Scout featuring a similar all-wheel drive system, bigger engine and only 154g/km.

"The Sedici Multijet offers potential in reserve"

So how does this model return such good fuel economy figures? 4x4s are, after all, notoriously fuel inefficient. The answer is quite straightforward. Aside form the engine, the way the Sedici deploys its power has a lot to answer for. It's been fitted with a clever on-demand 4x4 system which features an electronically-controlled centre differential and three driver-selected operating modes - 2WD, AUTO and LOCK - activated via a three-way transmission control rocker-switch housed in the centre console. This simple, intuitive, electronic solution does away with the need for any cumbersome and intrusive transfer box gearlevers. At the heart of the new 4x4 transmission is an electromagnetically operated dry multi-plate clutch coupling system that modulates the transfer of torque electronically, according to demand from either axle.

In 2WD mode, used during normal driving conditions, the 4x4 system transmits all engine torque to the front axle, reaping the benefits of a traditional front-wheel drive transmission - improved fuel economy, less mechanical wear and lower emissions. When driving in adverse weather conditions, or on surfaces with low levels of grip, the Sedici driver can select on-demand 4x4 simply by setting the transmission control switch to AUTO. In this mode, the transmission employs the ABS anti-lock brake sensors to detect relative slip levels between front and rear axles and, generating electrical pulses which activate the electromagnetic clutch plate coupling system, intervenes where necessary.

The system's AUTO setting automatically modulates torque distribution between the front and rear axle, transmitting all torque to the front wheels under the majority of normal driving conditions, whilst optimising torque transfer to the rear axle when the sensors detect low grip, or in anticipation of loss of traction during acceleration.

As its name suggests, LOCK splits engine torque equally between front and rear axles, to ensure prompt and stable take-off in mud, snow, sand or other adverse conditions. This 50:50 torque split is maintained up to speeds of 37 mph, above which the system automatically reverts to the AUTO mode.

The Sedici's combination of short 895 mm front and 720 mm rear overhangs and high 190 mm ground clearance make it surprisingly well suited to challenging off-road conditions, with approach, departure and break-over angles (the maximum angle of incidence that may be undertaken without the body touching the ground) of 20.3, 31.1 and 18.1 degrees respectively. The car will also readily climb gradients of 33%.

A family 4x4 for the real world might be one way to describe it. None of the off roading excess you'll never need but all of the versatility and style you'd normally pay close to £20,000 for. Except in this case you'll pay from £14,840. All versions should achieve excellent residual values due to the relatively low numbers that Fiat plans to import.

Standard equipment is generous, including ABS with EBD, twin front and side airbags, air-conditioning, front fog lights, roof bars, electric front windows, electric power steering, 60/40 split-folding rear seats and a 4-speaker CD radio. To this tally, the Eleganza adds silver-painted roof bars, a leather-covered steering wheel, 16" alloy wheels, automatic climate control, a height-adjustable driver's seat, chromed interior fittings, body-coloured electric heated mirrors and stereo controls for the steering wheel.

The Sedici Multijet is certainly a minority interest vehicle but it fills a small niche very well. Company car buyers may baulk at its emissions but private buyers who enjoy winter sports or regularly travel through rural or hilly areas afflicted by adverse weather conditions would do well to schedule a visit to their Fiat dealer when trade-in time comes around.

TOP 2 SEDICI DEALS

The results below show the top SEDICI deals on buyacar

	Fiat Sedici 1.9 MultiJet Eleganza 5dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £251	Saving £1,858	Price £13,987
	Fiat Sedici 1.9 MultiJet Dynamic 5dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £238	Saving £1,696	Price £13,149

typical 10.67% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000