Price drop guide

With a sticker price of just under $110k, the entry-level S40 is the most affordable Volvo saloon you can buy. For your money, you get a four-door saloon from a prestige Swedish brand, a nicely crafted interior, unparalleled safety features and an efficient twin clutch gearbox. There are downsides though - the engine can sound a bit gruff and the interior is short of space at the rear but at $6,400 cheaper than a couple of weeks ago, who can complain?

The undoubted star of Twilight New Moon makes for a stylish and practical small hatchback that has proven to be a credible alternative to the Mini. The C30 comes in two variants - the T5 as well as the base 2.0 here. The normally aspirated base model might not be a fire breather but it offers an efficient package thanks to its Powershift twin clutch gearbox.

This quirky French hatchback is a great alternative to the likes of large saloons like the Volkswagen Passat and Nissan Teana. The 2-litre motor might not be as powerful or as efficient as the newer 1.6 turbo in the C4 models but is enough to shift the C5 convincingly.

The five seater Picasso might not be as popular as its seven-seat Grand cousin but it delivers most of its big brother's virtues in a smaller, more compact package. In true Citroen style, the Picasso looks distinctive and quirky inside and out. A unique feature is its extremely large windscreen area, giving the cabin an airy and spacious feel.

The Koleos is Renault's first attempt at a proper SUV. The model is developed by Renault's Korean Samsung brand using Nissan engines and drivetrains. The Koleos is no looker on the outside but the cabin offers plenty of space and practical features. The 2.5-litre Nissan engine offers enough poke to endow the Koleos with reasonable performance.

The Laguna Coupe is quite possibly the essence of French chic and style. From any angle, this big two-door just looks gorgeous. There's a spacious and well built cabin inside while the 2-litre turbo engine coupled to a six-speed auto offers good performance and a refined package. Pity large coupe buyers only buy German.

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Credits: Story by Raymond Lai