In January 1983, the original Pajero made its debut at the Paris-Dakar Rally and took first place in 1985 at only its third attempt. To date, the Pajero is the most successful car in the Dakar Rally. Locally, this 4x4 icon is equally as prosperous, selling 8,000 units in 2006 in the United Arab Emirates alone. That's over 20 cars a day. And while the Pajero may not ooze evoness, surely its new model was worth a test drive. After all, we are practically landlocked by rolling desert dunes here in Dubai.

Now in its fourth generation, the Japanese have added style, technology, comfort and power to its list of advantages. It is today a perfect almost all-rounder, ideal for long trips and an excellent sand, snow and mud slinger.

I am sitting in a 3.0-litre LWB version and there is nothing of the 1978 original about. It is as comfortable as any modern car. And makes as much noise when you don't buckle up. Shame then about the cassette player, which actually does remind me of the 70s. Perhaps I spoke too soon.

In the city, the Pajero is a smooth riding vehicle on almost all surfaces and, thanks to its Paris-Dakar origins, benefits from independent suspension on all four wheels as opposed to, say, the Toyota Land Cruiser which has a less advanced live rear axle.

This independent suspension translates to a very subtle, if boring ride around town Ð where it will mostly be driven. Reasonable road handling in a car of this type largely comes about thanks to the AWD transmission, its level of on-road composure is at odds with its 4.9 metre length and 2180kg weight.

If dusty, sandy expanses are more your thing, then there's virtually no better vehicle. The Pajero is a very accomplished off-roader, a class leader in fact. Our trip to the edge of the desert and back was testament to that. There is a lot of fun to be had in this car and the glut of low-end torque enables you to fully appreciate its rugged, go anywhere off-road ability.

If you want to drive a good value, comfortable 4x4 that you can take to the desert at the weekend and get home for work on Sunday (without your colleagues sending out a search party with spades), then this could be the vehicle for you.