I have been lucky enough to enjoy the dubious pleasure of hurtling down the rapids at Walt Disney World's Splash Mountain - but did not expect to repeat the experience on the outskirts of Witney.

It had been raining most of the previous day and all night when, at 3.40am, in pitch darkness, I plunged without warning into a foot or so of standing water which had flooded the eastbound sliproad to the A40.

It's at moments like this that phrases like anti-lock brakes, Haldex 4x4 transmission and 40 millimetres of extra ground clearance really start to mean something.

I am certain that without the extra grip and clearance offered by the Altea Freetrack 4, the outcome could have been much more unpleasant than a water-spraying scare.

Taking the roomier version of the Altea, the Altea XL, as the starting point, SEAT's Altea Freetrack 4 gets butch bodywork, a raised ride height and, of course, four-wheel-drive.

To back up its rough, tough image, it comes with a choice of powerful 2.0-litre engines: a 200 horsepower TSI petrol and 170 horsepower TDI diesel.

The Freetrack 4 lines up alongside a growing number of so-called crossover' vehicles, such as the Kia Sportage, Nissan Qashqai, Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander, Citroën C-Crosser, Peugeot 4007 and Honda CR-V, that have the demeanour of a 4x4, without necessarily being fitted with the complex, heavy and fuel-sapping technology to deliver real jungle-crushing performance.

But do not be fooled by the macho, dark-grey plastic guards, 17-inch alloy wheels and 40 millimetres of extra ground clearance.

Under the skin, this is a good old family car with gizmos galore to keep the driver happy, and many more to entertain the passengers.

One high-level trim is available for both engine options, that includes dual-zone climate control, four electric windows, folding tables on front seat back rests, cruise control, MP3-compatible CD player, rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, auto headlights, heated, electrically-adjustable and folding door mirrors, auto-dimming rear view mirror, remote central locking, and a roof-mounted, rear-seat DVD multimedia system.

As well as being spacious and flexible inside, it also takes safety very seriously. Anti-lock brakes are backed up a traction control system, electronic stabilisation programme and six airbags.

Despite the four-wheel-drive, this is no off-roader, but come to a rutted farm track or park in a field at a country fair and you will boldly go where most family hatchbacks are likely come unstuck.

The Freetrack 4 is seriously practical with a large boot space that has two tiers, with concealed compartments, a cargo net and lashing hooks for securing loose items.

Silver roof rails are also fitted as standard, allowing luggage weighing up to 75kg to be carried on the roof. The Altea Freetrack 4 also features the larger door mirrors of the Altea XL, allowing even better visibility.

The car, which is the work of SEAT's design director Luc Donckerwolke, who joined the brand from Lamborghini in 2005, is said to be three cars in one with off-road capability, the space of a large family estate, and the handling and performance of a hot hatch.

Now that's asking a bit much of any car, but it looks good and is good fun, even on a wet winter's night.

Auto facts SEAT Altea Freetrack 4 2.0 TDI

  • Price: £21,295
  • Ins group: 11
  • Fuel consumption (Combined): 41.5mpg
  • Top speed: 127mph
  • Length: 449.3cm/177in
  • Width: 178.8cm/70.4in
  • Luggage capacity: 17.3 cu ft
  • Fuel tank capacity: 13.2 gallons/60 litres
  • CO2 emissions: 179g/km
  • Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles