Chrysler 300C Touring estate (2006-2010)

Head turning looks and road presence come as standard with the Chrysler 300C Touring. The huge proportions and generous levels of equipment make it feel every inch the luxury car, but it's actually much better value than European rivals like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate. Quality, particularly inside, is not quite up to the same standards. At least there's loads of passenger space, and an enormous boot, too.

The 300C Touring is marginally more expensive to run than the saloon, with fuel economy of 34mpg, but you'd struggle to notice the difference. Road tax is not cheap, as the Chrysler falls into band K, which costs £245 per year. Insurance is quite pricey too, as it ranges from 36 to 41 depending on the exact specification. Standard Chrysler warranty is the usual three years or 60,000 miles.

Despite its size, the Chrysler 300C Touring doesn't roll about in the corners as much as you might expect. The steering is not as accurate as that of a European rival like the BMW 5 Series Touring, but the Chrysler is ideal for motorway journeys due to its powerful engine and comfortable suspension. The 6.1-litre V8 petrol engine from the saloon is not available in the 300C Touring, so the diesel engine is the only option. The 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel is relatively cheap to run yet still produces 215bhp for good performance.

Comfort is the name of the game for the 300C, and its supple suspension offers smooth progress over rough roads. The cabin is very quiet and there's little wind or road noise even at motorway speeds. The 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine is very hushed, as it doesn't have to work hard to get the Chrysler moving.

There is 630 litres of boot space available with the rear seats upright, and 1,602 litres available once they are folded down. The boot door hinges a long way into the Chrysler's roof, which makes access easy. There is plenty of space inside, but the central rear seat is slim and not ideal for adults due to the lack of foot room. The glovebox is massive and there are a useful number of storage spaces throughout the cabin.

The 300C's build quality lags behind that of European rivals like the Audi A6 Avant and the Mercedes E-Class Estate. The cabin isn't bad, but the materials seem a little cheap in comparison. Chrysler didn't appear in the 2010 JD Power reliability survey but previous results from the company have not been impressive. The 300C is certainly safe though, as it gets side, window and rear airbags, deadlocks, an engine immobiliser and electronic stability control as standard.

Next to almost any direct European rival from Audi, BMW or Mercedes, the Chrysler 300C Touring represents great value. The estate version has a higher starting price than the saloon, but the Chrysler still isn't expensive in terms of what you get for your money. Alloy wheels, parking sensors, heated leather seats and dual-zone climate control are just a few of the standard features. Resale values are, unfortunately, not strong.