Most 4wd cars get delivered in the UK with summer tyres - because most 4wd bought in the UK are never intended to go off tarmac, or go anywhere a 2wd car won't go.

A few models of 4wd are delivered in the UK with All-Season tyres - those of Far Eastern manufacture on not very good All-Season tyres - those fitted with European All-Season tyres either as standard or aftermarket are usually quite adequate for winter conditions in most of England but often let down by the incompetence of their drivers.

I personally run aftermarket Pirelli All-Season M+S all year round on my Far East-built 4wd because - a) living in the Midlands, I rarely see enough bad conditions to warrant Winter tyres - b) if I did use Winter tyres I'd still be stuck behind all those in front on Summer tyres and - c) having experienced several Scottish winters, I know how to drive in winter conditions.

Scandinavia and the Alpine areas of Europe are very different though.

Also, many 4x4 in UK are fitted with a pseudo sporty summer tyre by the manufacturer as they are not expected to venture further off road than the pavement. Then, when conditions deteriorate they are less capable than they could be. Agree, many if not all are style wagons, particularly the latest offerings from LR, including Evoque. But a proper 4x4 on Winter or Mud tyres is a very capable beast in snow.

Less capable? Blooming liability more like, two and a half tonnes of Range Rover on 22ich rims plus sporty rubber with wide boy onboard thinking he's unstoppable - 'til he tries to stop and finds he is but not in the way he thought...