How do you decide on which car to buy – is it the badge, price, practicalities or something else? Because I don’t have to make the school run or even commute to work, the number one factor for me is fun.

Which is probably why the Wrangler has been the surprise car of 2014. I was expecting a rugged workhorse with little to offer as an everyday drive. Most of the reviews on the web seem to pour scorn on the Jeep.

If I was in the market for a new Land Rover Defender, I would certainly consider the Wrangler as a viable alternative. It’s fun enough for me to ignore with the bouncy suspension, the body roll on corners and the noisy engine.

The Jeep may have been around for more than 70 years but this latest version is more refined enough to enjoy both on-road and off. That and the cool looks give it the edge over the current Land Rover….