With the harsher, unpredictable wintry weather coming soon, Diesel Car takes a look at three dependable motors you’ll be silly to miss this winter.

1. SEAT Leon FR 2.0 TDI

The all-new SEAT Leon marks a significant turning point in the evolution of Leon. The previous generation car was well-priced, but lacked some of the quality of its VW-branded counterparts. This has changed with the latest car, which is visually stunning with full-LED headlights currently fitted as standared and a great range of engines to choose from, including the potent 148bhp 2.0-litre TDI engine.

The SEAT Leon in FR trim comes generously equipped, with several features designed for winter; heated electric mirrors, dual climate control, parking sensors, cruise control and front fog lights all coming as standard. Heated seats are also only a £250 optional extra, which is less than many of the cars in this segment.

Bristol Street’s SEAT Birmingham offer the best deals on the SEAT Leon. The SEAT Leon FR 2.0 TDI (150) costs £21,565 brand new on the road which is less than the equivalent Volkswagen Golf or Audi A3, and the Leon fitted with this diesel engine will hold its value well over three years.

2. Toyota RAV4 2.2 D-4D AWD

The Toyota RAV4 is one of the most popular medium-sized 4×4’s in Britain. Its combination of good looks, flexible engines, renowed Toyota reliability and driving characteristics make it a top favourite among those seeking a reliable motor that isn’t going to get stuck in the snow.

We recommend the top level 2.2-litre diesel engine in the RAV4. It is a smooth unit that’s progressive in its power delivery. This engine, with standard four-4-wheel drive, is available in two trim levels – Icon and Invincible. The top Invincible specification is very well equipped with standard equipment including cruise control, heated and electric mirrors, electric leather and heated seats, power folding mirrors, Bluetooth, MP3 and iPod connectivity, front fog lights and alloy wheels.

The Toyota RAV4 2.2 D-4D Invincible is the range topper and costs £28,200, which may seem a lot of money for a Toyota, but the generous equipment list makes it one of the best cars of its class, not to mention one of the most reliable.

3. Land Rover Freelander 2

No list of the most dependable all-weather cars for winter would be complete without the inclusion of the Land Rover Freelander 2, a car that’s been put through its paces off-road so many times that it has rightfully earned a reputation for being one of the best winter cars you could possibly own.

The latest version of the Freelander features a stylish and modern interior and wonderful road presence. There are only two engines available in this car, both featuring the same 2.2-litre diesel engine found in the Range Rover Evoque in 148 or 187bhp guises. We recommend the SD4 version, which has standard four-wheel-drive and extra power compared to the eD4 edition. It’ll make light work of any snow this winter has the Freelander 2 has literally been engineered to tackle any terrain that the weather can offer.