If good looks and authority are high on your agenda, then the E Class from Mercedes is worth some time to mull over.

Winner of ‘Best Executive Car’ back in 2018 means that pulling up to meetings, the office or the gym gives you an air of success.

The E350 features air suspension as standard, which delivers an effortless ride negating the bumps and potholes that UK roads are famed for.

The 3 Series is like a reliable old jumper (albeit a designer one). Its essence has been the same since its conception, over 40 years ago.

A stalwart of refined, confident sophistication, driving the 3 Series makes you feel like a master of the road. The response is innate, so your drive feels like an extension of you.

Plus the Tourer has a vast boot, so you can stash the weekly shop, golf clubs, dogs and all the coats you’ll ever need without having to pack in the kids like sardines.

Advertised as a family car, you can see why it appeals to those that tend to have more ‘stuff’ than most. With plenty of room to swing a cat (stand down PETA, we didn’t actually try).

The entry-level option is certainly well-stocked. You can expect the likes of an 8” sat-nav with built-in WiFi, auto-dimming rearview mirror, electronic parking brake and wait for it...a pen holder.

Phew. Glad that’s on the list. The additional upgrades make this one helluva family run-around.

We might be talking dream car here, but if comfort is the aim, then we can’t ignore what may well be the, well, Rolls-Royce of cars.

Close your eyes for a moment. Imagine the firm plumpness of high-grade leather cushioning your derriere, the gentle purr of the engine and the graceful meandering as the tyres hush along the road.

In the words of Chandler Bing, could it BE any more comfortable?

Back to reality with a bump here, but at least it’s a premium bump. As with all Audis (in fact, as with most German-made cars), the whole package is extremely appealing.

An edgy, crisp outside aesthetic gives way to some serious tech inside. A versatile car that’s as much suited to road trips to hike Snowdon with your mates as it is as a family runaround.

A roomy boot allows for equipment, shopping and bulky buggies while the backseat easily accommodates two adults.

The new A3 has Audi’s MMI infotainment system, but even older models benefit from an abundance of bells and whistles that serve to make driving more intuitive.

The C3 may look like a four-year-old’s been at it with Lego (Citroen call the rubberised dimples that adorn the doors ‘Airbumps’) but despite the peculiar appearance, the added feature has the benefit of repelling damage from wayward trolleys and over-enthusiastic door opening.

Function over fashion, perhaps. A quiet drive with soft and supple suspension, it offers a smooth ride. The tech isn’t as snappy as its competitors, but sometimes you just want a car that drives well.

Is the Jazz sexy, like its name suggests? Er...no. But what it lacks in obvious styling, it makes up for practicality. And sometimes practicality wins. The Jazz has bags of room.

Two adults can sit side by side without any awkward leg touching. Plus the seats are magical - not in the boy-wizard under the stairs way - but in the way that they can fold totally flat creating an almost minivan-esque interior.

The Jazz is certainly aimed at the family market, however, there is a lot that can be said for a car you can chuck a mattress in and sleep.