Volvo XC90

Compare the most popular XC90 against equivalent versions of rivals like the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE, and it looks like really good value. It’s cheaper to buy than the rest, it depreciates less, it uses less fuel, it’s cheaper to insure and it costs you less to service and maintain.

Over the course of your average ownership period, choosing the Volvo stands to make you a fairly sizeable saving. The lower price and strong residuals will also be useful in keeping down monthly payments for finance customers, while the extra efficiency will prove particularly useful for company car drivers, especially if they go for the plug-in hybrid version.

Some models use mild hybrid technology, which doesn’t do a lot to reduce ownership costs. The Twin Engine plug-in hybrid models have incredibly low CO2 emissions and remarkable official fuel consumption figures, and can use electric-only power for short trips. These versions are expensive to buy, though.