Here's an idea. You've got £25,000 to spend on a company car, so why not get something different? Everyone else chooses BMW, Audi or Mercedes-Benz. One or two opt for Jaguar, Lexus or Saab.

But why not be the only one in the company car park with a Cadillac?

That's right, the typical American model can be yours for less than you'd pay for one of the popular German brands. Far less.

OK, there's a catch. You might imagine a Cadillac to be like those you see in the old American movies, ostentatiously huge and very American.

But here's a Cadillac European-style. In fact, it's based on Saab underpinnings. The marque is part of the General Motors brand (Vauxhall to you or I) and is making in roads here.

What about dealers, I hear you cry. Well, the nearest to Bradford is in Whitehall Place in Leeds - not a million miles away.

More to the point, what do you get for the money? Again, the result may surprise you.

The test version is a highly-specified 1.9 litre diesel model with leather trim, cruise control, automatic climate control, eight-way adjustable seats, powered and heated mirrors, seven-speaker CD and stereo system, more airbags than you can count and an array of stability and traction control systems. Quite a lot for £25,000. To get the same in a rival would set you back nearer £30,000.

There are some minor faults. The engine, though willing and frugal, is a tad noisy - certainly not as refined as you might demand from an executive express.

And the styling is a little muted except, oddly enough, from the rear where it looks wonderfully American. It does have a sort of understated style, a little like its stablemate, Saab.

On the road, it really impresses. I expected a 1.9 litre diesel engine to struggle with such a chunky car, but it manages exceptionally well. It zips to 60mph in under ten seconds. Actually, it feels quicker.

The ride is tuned to European tastes so you won't find much rocking and rolling, but it isn't quite as sophisticated as some of its rivals.

I expected the cabin to be a let down - Americans just can't do interiors as well as BMW - but this is one of the best. It's comfortable, sensible and very well designed.

The build quality is rock solid and the space in particular are excellent.

Retained value, as ever with cars in this class, is likely to be crucial. Experts predict a new Cadillac to hold between 31 and 36 per cent of its original value. Not terrible, but a BMW 3 Series will hold on to between 46 and 51 per cent.

What you gain in a cheaper initial price, you may lose in the long run.

I don't expect anyone to buy a Cadillac purely on a cost basis. They'll buy it because it's different, yet still very sensible.

l Cadillacs are nothing new to the UK. They first appeared here in 103 years ago but it has been lacking here for a while. It's comeback was heralded by the CTS saloon and followed by the smaller BLS. We also have the SRX 4x4 and the XLR open-topped vehicle. Visit: www.cadillaceurope.com.

Cadillac BLS 1.9D Luxury PRICE: £25,073 on the road ENGINE: A 1.9 litre turbodiesel PERFORMANCE: Top speed 131mph, 0 to 62mph 9.5 seconds COSTS: Urban (town) 34.8 mpg; extra-urban (country) 57.6mpg; combined 46.3mpg INSURANCE: Group 14 EMISSIONS: 164g/km WARRANTY: Three years, 60,000 miles