What's it like to drive?

If you've swapped city living for a new life in the countryside, you'll love the Volvo XC90: it's well-suited to rural roads but still feels civilised. It's big, but doesn't feel too big, and soaks up most lumps and bumps. And it doesn't roll too much when you corner, which is impressive for a car this size. If money's no object, the V8 petrol engines are the most powerful (and hushed). But if you're worried about staying in the black, try the D5 turbodiesel: it's slow to accelerate and very noisy, but much healthier for your bank balance.

What's it like inside?

You can do so much with the seven-seat Volvo XC90, it feels more like an MPV than a 4x4. The boot's huge, you can slide each of the three middle seats or fold them flat, and the two front rows are super-spacious. Save the two seats at the back for the kiddies, though - there's only room for people with little legs (fold them into the floor when you're travelling solo). There's plenty to play with, from cruise and climate control to sat-nav and even a fridge. The sheer number of controls can be a bit overwhelming at first, but they're easy to use. Beware the raised bonnet, though - it makes it hard to work out where the car ends.

Will it break the bank?

The Volvo XC90 is cheaper than most of its rivals and you'll lose less money when you sell it, especially if you choose one of the diesels. Running one can be a scary prospect, though: the petrols are notoriously thirsty and you can expect to pay a premium for company car tax. But it's very well-built and should survive the most boisterous of families. It scored top marks in Euro NCAP crash tests: you get twin front and side airbags, cabin-length window airbags, a strengthened roof and anti-whiplash front head rests, plus stability control and anti-lock brakes. You couldn't feel any safer if you had a personal bodyguard.