For many people, large SUVs have replaced big saloons as the ultimate expression of modern motoring, and they make great family cars, thanks to their spacious and practical interiors. The best are also easy to drive, combining a calm ride with tidy handling and a lofty driving position with user-friendly controls.

If any of them take your fancy, just click on the relevant link to find out more or see how much of a discount you could get by using What Car, New Car Buying service. The F-Pace was Jaguar’s first foray into the world of SUVs, and can be had with a wide range of engines, including a frugal four-cylinder diesel and a riotous supercharged V6 petrol.

Although it shares some of its oily bits with the Land Rover Discovery Sport, it’s sportier and more agile. Volvos used to be very much a step down from the models of Audi, BMW and Mercedes, both in terms of price and ability, but no longer. The latest XC60 is comfortable, well equipped and has a high-quality interior, plus it won the 2018 What Car,

Safety Award, having performed brilliantly when it was crash tested by Euro NCAP. A former Large SUV of the Year, the Land Rover Discovery Sport sits below the full-size Discovery in the Land Rover range. However, it's still available with seven seats, has a smart and user-friendly interior and holds its value well.

It's even well priced by class standards. Take the regular Volkswagen Tiguan, add some more space and two extra seats, and hey presto, you've made the Tiguan Allspace. Its high-quality interior and flexible seating are impressive, and it remains good to drive. The Kia Sorento comes with seven seats and, unlike many rivals, its third row is spacious enough for adults, not just children.

It also has a punchy engine, heavy towing capacity and comfortable ride, but the very best competitors are cheaper and more refined. This is the larger of Skoda's two SUVs and is a comfortable choice with a smart and practical interior. Just bear in mind that you have to be careful when speccing it because it's easy to push the price north of £30k if you start adding options.

The X3 is a great choice if you're looking for a prestige SUV with five seats. Drivers will like its strong engine range and top-notch handling, while passengers can enjoy the luxurious and spacious interior. You also get BMW's iDrive infotainment system as standard, which is a real bonus because it's the best systems around. Beautifully made and quiet as a mouse, the latest Q5 is a very luxurious choice, particularly if you go for the optional air suspension, which turns it into one of the smoothest-riding cars available - in any class.

The 2.2-litre diesel engine in the Mazda CX-5 is strong, refined and impressively efficient, keeping CO2 emissions down to tax-friendly levels. Plus, the car is well equipped, fun to drive and extremely practical - as long as you need only five seats. Even some road noise can’t detract from its overall desirability. The Peugeot 5008 combines MPV versatility with SUV looks, plus it handles tidily, the ride is comfortable, and it's very well priced. Add in the seriously plush interior and you've got the best car of its kind.

Most notable is the 187-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine equipped with cylinder de-activation technology. Front-wheel drive CX-5s deliver 28 mpg in combined driving. The CX-5 has spirited performance and handling. The price for that comes in cargo space. At 103.6 cubic feet, passenger volume is ample. But cargo volume behind the rear seats, 30.9 cubic feet, and with the rear seats folded, 59.6 cubic feet, is less than in comparable vehicles.

Seating is comfortable for four, a squeeze for five. The Mazda has an upscale interior that calls to mind high-priced European crossovers. The CX-5 achieves top marks from consumers for overall satisfaction in both J.D. Power and Consumer Reports measures. It earned IIHS Top Safety Pick status. It is a Consumer Reports “Recommended” vehicle.