VOLVO has emerged as the surprise wholelife cost winner against its nearest Audi and BMW rivals in new figures produced by CAP Motor Research. In running cost tables published in the November issue of residual value guide CAP Monitor, Volvo scores a number of class-best performances spanning the range.

The S40 1.6 is the least expensive saloon to own in the medium prestige 1.6-1.9 litre class with a depreciation below that of any BMW 3-series saloon or Audi A4, leading to a wholelife cost saving of £564 over 60,000 miles compared to the BMW 316i, and £1,800 compared to the A4 1.6. The Volvo V70 2.4 (140bhp) is the most cost-effective estate and the S80 2.4 (140bhp) the top-rated saloon in the 2.0-2.4-litre class. The estate secures a wholelife cost advantage of £1,962 against the closest BMW 520i Touring and £4,014 saving over the Audi A6 Avant over 60,000 miles.

CAP Monitor editor Mark Norman said: ?The S40, V70 and S80 all minimise the financial pain of depreciation more successfully than their direct rivals. This derives from competitive front-end pricing combined with strong demand on the second-hand market.?