Buyers most interested in BMW X5

CAR buyers are more interested in the ownership of a BMW X5 than any other car on the market, according to CAP.

Data revealed that new car buyers researched the long-term ownership costs of a total of 256 different models using CAP’s Total Cost of Motoring tool in December 2013.

Out of the 256 models searched for by consumers, BMW’s X5 topped the list for the most investigated cars, making up four per cent of all queries.

Following the luxury 4×4 was the Ford Fiesta, making up three per cent of all Total Cost of Motoring investigations by motorists.

A number of premium models made their way into the top 10 including the Porsche Cayenne, BMW 5 Series and the Lexus IS.

The rest of the top 10 is made up by mainstream models commonly associated with economical running costs, including the Fiesta in second and Volkswagen Golf in third.

CAP’s Philip Nothard said: These figures are surprising because we would not expect imminent buyers of large 4x4s or luxury cars to be as conscious of predicted long-term ownership costs as motorists on a small budget looking into more obviously economical cars.

‘So while the Fiesta’s two appearances in the most popular 10 cars being investigated by people looking closely at their motoring budget is entirely predictable, the appearance of the Porsche Cayenne at number seven is much less expected.’

He added: ‘We know that large 4x4s have been one of the largest growth sectors in recent years – even during the recession – and this data shows that many people have a luxury SUV in mind for their next car.

‘But most interestingly it also shows that the buyers of larger, more prestige cars as just as eager to know how much the vehicle will cost them to own over time as the less well-off consumer who is looking for a small, inexpensive runabout.’