Fiat get a bad press but I have had a 53 reg Stilo for 3 or 4 years now and it has been brilliant. Not quite a 2 litre - It's a 1.9 multi-valve JTD which, apparently won all sorts of awards. Mines the 4 door hatch but they do an estate which is amazing, with all sorts of clever things you can do with the seat configuration. If you are after new though I think the Stilo has been replaced with the new Brava. Worth a look anyway.

The other one that is well worth a second look is the Suzuki/Fiat produced multi-wheel drive Fiat Sedici - Suziki provide the 4x4 running gear and Fiat provide the 1.9 JTD engine. The drive configuration is very clever indeed - Front wheel drive, more to front than rear, 4x4 and an option to automate the decision for you! Smaller than the usual Chelsea tractors but seem to have enough room for most. Very reasonably priced for a real off-roader as well. I like clever name too. Sixteen in Italian is Sedici, and what does 4x4 make?

Good luck whatever you get.

Cheers

Dave