We’ve bundled this pair of plug-in hybrid SUVs together because, well, they’re essentially the same car. A large 18.1kWh battery means a claimed 46 miles of EV running, CO2 emissions of 22g/km and a very attractive BIK tax rating of 8%. It’s not the most exciting to drive, but it’s precise, composed and, crucially, very comfy. It also goes well, dusting the 0-62mph dash in just 6.0sec, so you can say sayonara to the hot hatch brigade.
When it comes down to brass tacks, however, the less costly RAV4 Design gets the nod, with lower-rate earners sacrificing just £705 in tax, a saving of £40 over the equivalent Across.Once a byword for the car as a dull domestic appliance, the Corolla is now a rather fine thing. Good looking and underpinned by Toyota's latest TNGA platform, it serves up a sweet ride-and-handling balance that means you won’t actively be avoiding corners.
That means CO2 emissions of just 18g/km and a BIK rating of just 8% yet also the ability for the 345bhp machine to sprint from 0-62mph in just 5.4sec. However, this is still a Volvo, so it's best just to relax, enjoy the supremely comfortable seats and revel in how little cash you’re handing over to HMRC.