FORD RAPTOR

Our most memorable family driving experience this year was out in the desert, north of Los Angeles, one sunny August morning.

‘Daaad, it’s amaaazing!’ screamed No.1 son. ‘Daaad, it’s MASSIVE!’ screamed son No. 2. And they were right. OMG, what a thing! And so huge. It’s over seven feet wide, nearly as tall and sits almost a foot off the ground. The ‘super crew cab’ is so big a different time zone may well apply for those in the back.

But here comes the real news – it is ridiculously quick. You hit 60mph in 5.5 seconds, which is simply incredible for a lump this size, thanks to Ford’s revolutionary 3.5litre V6 EcoBoost engine. Most impressive of all is how lightly it wears all this available power and how well it handles: more Porsche than pick-up, the whole package so un-truck-like.

This vehicle is immense in all areas: power, performance, payload and unbelievable prowess both on- and off-road. Worth moving to the US just to own one. If only Ford sold them over here...

Price as tested: €70,000