Here are nine crossovers we'd actually want to own

Introduced in the US in the late 1970s, the original crossover was initially offered in coupe, saloon and estate forms with lifted suspension and AWD. A rare convertible version called the Eagle Sundancer was even offered in 1981 and 1982. And yes, it was rare because nobody bought one.

Of course we love the original Panda 4x4 from the 1980s, but to live with every day? We’ll take the third gen Panda Cross, thanks. This was based on the 4x4 of the time but got more underbody protection, new bumpers, a ‘Terrain Control’ system and 9mm of extra ground clearance.

We don’t need to explain to you the wonders of the homologation special. Yet every time we see a Pajero Evo it makes us dream of the Dakar Rally. This bewinged brick used a 3.5 V6 and kept the aero and protection of the racecar.

Ferrari doesn’t want us to refer to the Purosangue as an SUV, so let’s call it what it really is. There’s not much ground clearance and the only off road action it’ll ever see is a wet field at the polo, so yep, it’s a crossover. Still, it’s one with a mighty 6.5-litre V12.

We’re talking about the first gen 3dr soft-top here, because that’s the one we’re weirdly desperate to own. The ‘Recreational Active Vehicle with 4WD’ was actually previewed by the even weirder looking RAV-FOUR concept car at the 1989 Tokyo motor show.

Another lifted AWD hatchback, the Country Syncro was a MkII Golf that was shipped off to the experts at Steyr-Daimler-Puch. A whole new tubular lower subframe helped lift it by almost five inches, while bumper bars and spotlights ensured it looked rad.

The ride is rock hard, the 2.0-litre turbo four pot drinks like it has double the cylinders, and it torque steers like a 2000s Astra VXR. The Kona N essentially uses all the bits from the brilliant i30N hot hatch to create a joyously silly crossover.

Name a production car that looks more like a concept. Go on, we’ll wait. The wacky two door VehiCross reached roads in 1997 with a 3.5-litre V6 and two titanium ‘fangs’ in its grille. Oh, and it may have Cross in the name, but it’s actually a proper body on frame SUV underneath.

Yes, you could have a Jimny or a Vitara. But the small 1990s Suzuki SUV you really want is the X-90. Why? Just look at it. It’s essentially what would happen if a little two seater, T-top sports car made babies with a dinky all wheel drive SUV.