I don’t know about you, but now that Christmas is over, I’m in a bit of a funk. Summer seems ages away, and there are long weeks of dark days and grey skies to wade through before it comes back.
But I have found a solution: I’ve bought a Volvo. No, seriously, I didn’t realise it would happen, but from behind the wheel of my lovely, comfy Swedish estate with its relaxing heated seats, excellent sound system and reassuring sense of sturdiness, I’ve found winter driving no longer feels quite so gloomy.
I think there’s something to this. It’s an oft-touted notion that Britain is one of the world’s largest markets for convertibles, mainly because when the sun finally comes out, we want to be ready.
But we can also choose to buy cars that make us feel good in winter, too. In fact, given how depressing the British winter can be, there’s all the more reason to do so. That way, every journey gives you a little lift: a dose of ‘hygge’, as the Scandinavians like to call it.
Where to find it, though? Well, if it’s hygge you’re after, go straight to the source. These days, that usually means a Volvo, really, and ideally, one with four-wheel drive, to help you out on any potentially slippery surfaces.
If you’re after a one-car-fits-all solution, it’s hard to argue with Volvo’s biggest offering: the second-generation XC90. This super-classy seven-seat SUV has been on the market for more than 10 years now, and it’s a mark of how well it does its job that it’s still as competitive as ever.
Inside, the XC90 boasts one of the smartest and most luxurious interiors of any SUV this side of a full-blown Range Rover, and with seven full-sized seats, it’s incredibly useful, too.
Go for an early example with the excellent D5 engine and you’ll have a car that’s both powerful and frugal; aim for Inscription trim and you’ll get a big whack of toys into the bargain.
After a quick scoot around the CarGurus classifieds, I found a 2019 D5 Inscription with 89,000 miles going for just £20,548, which is £2,520 below its CarGurus Instant Market Value (IMV). Granted, the mileage is a bit on the high side, but even so, doesn’t that feel like a heck of a lot of car for the money?
Perhaps an XC90 is too hefty for you, though. If that’s the case, might I suggest the excellent XC40 SUV instead? This is one of my favourite of Volvo’s products, and there are plenty around with four-wheel drive.
Mind you, don’t discount the two-wheel drive XC40s; they’re usually slightly sweeter to drive, and when shod with a set of all-season or winter tyres, they should still get you around in all but the worst of Britain’s winter weather.
For example, the XC40 T3 I found with the cracking little 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine should be a great buy. At £17,890, it’s £1,928 less than it’s really worth, which makes it a cracking bargain, and with just 40,000 miles on the clock it should still feel a tight as a drumskin. And in luxurious Inscription form, it’ll come with more than a few nice-to-have extras, too.
But what if you’ve got rather less money to spend, or just want a disposable winter runaround from the bargain bin? Well, I reckon it’s another Swedish manufacturer that offers the best value at the other end of the price spectrum.
I’m talking, of course, about Saab. Granted, its cars were never the last word dynamically, but they were always super comfortable, and shot through with the sort of thoughtful touches that make a car a joy to run through the winter.
They’re also preposterously cheap these days. How about the 2007 Saab 9-5 I’ve unearthed? The 9-5 was always a spacious saloon fitted with some of the most comfy seats around, and this particular example has the added bonus of heated front seats, which were an optional extra on this Vector version.
It’s fitted with the dependable old 1.9-litre diesel engine, and this one’s done a modest 111,000 miles. It comes with a full year’s MOT and even a three-month warranty. Yours, somewhat incredibly, for just £1,199: a full £1,054 below its CarGurus IMV.
Buy it, enjoy it through the winter, and then keep it until it breaks. I reckon this is the most comfortable car you can buy for the money, and one that’ll give you that dose of midwinter hygge you’re looking for.