Saab 9-5

THE new nose is the main thing to strike you about Saab’s revised 9-5 range. It takes its styling cue from several concept models shown by the Swedish manufacturer over the past year. The rear end also gets a nip and tuck with redesigned light clusters, while inside there is a new dash. Under the bonnet, the old 2.2-litre diesel has been dropped, replaced by the 1.9-litre 150bhp unit from the smaller 9-3. Prices start at £22,105.

Volkswagen Passat estate

FOLLOWING on from the successful launch of the Passat saloon comes the new estate version, on sale in November. A range of FSI petrol and TDI diesel engines mirror those available in the saloon, as do the S, SE, Sport and SEL trim levels. Load space is 1,731 litres with the rear seats folded flat – 100 litres less than a Vauxhall Vectra but 53 litres bigger than a Ford Mondeo. Prices will start from £16,000.