69: Volvo S90 (V90) – Smart looks and sharp handling from this Swede

Volvo’s biggest saloon and estate cut quite the visual dash on the road, with smooth, clean, crips styling inside and out. Being Volvos, they’re also almost ridiculously comfortable and safe inside, and if you get an R-Design model (which features a mildly more sporting chassis) and you’ve got a sharp-driving (actually has nicer steering feel than a BMW 5 Series, even if the rest of the chassis isn’t up to that level) big saloon or estate, that looks every bit as impressive as any of its major German rivals.

There are a few weak points, though. The four-cylinder only engine lineup means that there’s a slight lack of refinement compared with six-cylinder rivals; the boot in the V90 estate is only slightly bigger than that of the smaller V60, and hardly in keeping with Volvo’s maximum-practicality image; and the ride quality on almost all models simply can’t compete with the smooth-riding likes of the Mercedes E-Class.

Also, watch the options list - it’s very easy to turn a relatively well-priced S90 into something way too expensive. T8 plugin hybrid an interesting option for those whose commute is entirely urban.

Best model: V90 2.0 D4 R-Design Auto for €55,745