This rather stately vehicle manages to look both solid and, if not exactly graceful, then distinguished and dignified. You can think for a moment that you’re looking at a Bentley or a Bristol, and it gives you a gloriously majestic cruise along the motorway. It is generously spacious with a massive boot and luxurious leg space all round, although children may find the relatively ‘high-up’ windows difficult to peer out of (which might lead to a little car sickness). There is, however, a downside to all this cabin space – it’s a huge car and can be a nightmare to park in confined, city settings. Multi-storey car parks may well have you breaking out in beads of sweat as you try not to scrape the paintwork.

The Chrysler 300C comes with three engine types – the 3.5 litre, 249 bhp V6 petrol, the 3.0CRD 218 bhp V6 diesel, and the monster 6.1 litre, 425 bhp V8. Of the V6s, the diesel model delivers better acceleration: 0-62 mph in 7.6 seconds compared to the petrol version’s 9 seconds (the V8 takes only 5 seconds). The diesel also yields appreciably more miles per gallon the petrol cars (35 mpg compared to the petrol V6’s 25 mpg; eye-wateringly, the V8’s mpg does not get beyond the teens). The diesel is also less heavily penalised in tax than the two petrol models. If you wish to combine comfort and good handling with a dash of regality, the 300C could well be the car for you.