Porsche

Porsche may be best known for its high performance sports cars, the original Porsche Cayenne is actually the firm's bestselling model ever. The combination of 4x4 practicality with the handling of a Porsche, seems to have found plenty of fans. This second generation Porsche Cayenne builds on that with improvements all round, most notably in the cabin which has an even more upmarket appearance. It's also lighter than the original model which has benefits for handling and efficiency. Fuel economy has improved by around 20 per cent and the impressively refined V6 diesel model can return 38.2mpg, so it's no surprise that it's the most popular choice. And the handling is a revelation too. Despite weighing in at two tons, the Porsche Cayenne feels like a two-seater sports car from behind the wheel with great control and superb agility. Despite this, it rides very well, providing impressive long distance comfort. Naturally this is combined with a sophisticated interior which is a big step up from the previous model. It's influenced by the four-door Panamera and has a truly unique look that sets it apart from other premium 4x4s. But the big news is the introduction of a Hybrid model which makes its debut in the Cayenne. This offers the high performance you'd expect of a supercharged Porsche but with low CO2 emissions and good economy. Unfortunately, it's not as enjoyable to drive as the other models - including the diesel - and feels a little lackluster at times.